What are the main components of a hair follicle?

The main components of a hair follicle include the hair bulb, dermal papilla, and outer root sheath.

The hair bulb is the expanded base of the hair follicle and is where hair growth begins. It contains matrix cells that divide and produce the hair shaft. The dermal papilla sits at the base of the hair bulb and is crucial for hair growth as it contains blood vessels that supply nutrients to the hair follicle and contribute to its growth cycle. The outer root sheath is a layer of epithelial cells that surrounds the hair follicle, providing protection and structural support.

Understanding these components is essential for grasping how hair grows and the overall structure of the hair follicle, which is important knowledge for anyone in the cosmetology field. The other choices include elements that either don't correctly represent the structure of a hair follicle or incorporate parts that do not play a primary role in its makeup.