terminal hair
noun
: a long, coarse, well-pigmented hair that is found on certain parts of the body (such as the scalp, armpits, and pubic region)
Androgens, principally testosterone (from the adrenal glands and ovaries), increase hair growth by converting fine, unpigmented vellus hair to terminal hair in androgen sensitive areas such as the face, chest, and abdomen—
Raekha Kumar et al., British Medical Journal
Raekha Kumar et al., British Medical JournalTerminal hairs are larger in diameter, with their bulb extending down to the subcutaneous fat, while vellus hairs are much smaller, with their bulb located in the mid dermis.—Primary Care Reports
compare vellus hair
Primary Care ReportsDictionary Entries Near terminal hair
Cite this Entry
“Terminal hair.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/terminal%20hair. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share