Which type of hair is fine, downy and soft, found on the face and body, and lacks a medulla?

• A. Vellus hair
• B. Terminal hair
• C. Shaft
• D. Bulb

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is distinguishing vellus hair from terminal hair. Vellus hair is fine, downy, and soft, and it covers much of the face and body. A defining feature is that the medulla is absent, so the hair shaft is made up of the outer layers (cortex and cuticle) and appears pale or barely noticeable. This description fits vellus hair exactly: fine and soft, on the face and body, and lacking a medulla. In contrast, terminal hair is thicker, longer, more pigmented, and contains a medulla, such as scalp or underarm hair. The shaft and bulb are parts of the hair structure, not hair types themselves.