title: The human hair: from anatomy to physiology.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hair is a unique character of mammals and has several functions, from protection of the skin to sexual and social communication. In literature, there are various studies about hair that take into consideration different aspects within many fields of science, including biology, dermatology, cosmetics, forensic sciences, and medicine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a search of studies published in PubMed up to 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this review, we summarized the principal anatomical and physiological aspects of the different types of human hair, and we considered the clinical significance of the different structures and the distribution of the hair in the human body.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This review could be the basis for improvement and progression in the field of hair research.
authors.affiliation: Section of Anatomy and Physiopathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Buffoli
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rinaldi
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Labanca
authors.forename: Elisabetta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sorbellini
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trink
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guanziroli
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rezzani
authors.forename: Luigi F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Rodella
mesh_terms: D005006:Ethnicity; D006197:Hair / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation