Which term describes hair with alternating bands of gray and dark on a single strand?

Which term describes hair with alternating bands of gray and dark on a single strand?

• A. Canities
• B. Hypertrichosis
• C. Ringed hair
• D. Lanugo

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing a specific hair shaft pattern by its appearance. The term that describes hair with alternating bands of gray and dark on a single strand is ringed hair. This happens when pigment production in the hair follicle fluctuates as the hair grows, so segments of the hair become darker while other segments are lighter, creating distinct rings along the same strand. It’s a banded pattern on one hair, not an overall color change of the entire strand. For comparison, canities refers to hair that has turned gray or white across the entire strand, not in alternating bands. Lanugo is fine, unpigmented fetal hair that covers the body in the womb or in newborns. Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth anywhere on the body.

The main idea here is recognizing a specific hair shaft pattern by its appearance. The term that describes hair with alternating bands of gray and dark on a single strand is ringed hair. This happens when pigment production in the hair follicle fluctuates as the hair grows, so segments of the hair become darker while other segments are lighter, creating distinct rings along the same strand. It’s a banded pattern on one hair, not an overall color change of the entire strand.

For comparison, canities refers to hair that has turned gray or white across the entire strand, not in alternating bands. Lanugo is fine, unpigmented fetal hair that covers the body in the womb or in newborns. Hypertrichosis is excessive hair growth anywhere on the body.