What is the Difference Between Human and Animal Hair?

The main differences between human and animal hair lie in their morphological characteristics, color, pigment distribution, and medullary index. Some of these differences include:

1. Color and Pigmentation: Human hair is generally consistent in color and pigmentation throughout the length of the hair shaft, while animal hair may exhibit radical color changes over a short distance, a phenomenon known as banding.
2. Pigment Concentration: Human hair has an even distribution of pigment throughout the cortex, while animal hair has more concentrated pigmentation toward the center or medulla area.
3. Medullary Index: The medullary index, which is the ratio of the medulla's width to the diameter of the hair, is smaller in human hair than in animal hair.
4. Cuticle Patterns: Human hair has an imbricate scale pattern (flattened), while animal hair can have a range of patterns, including coronal (crown-like) and spinous.
5. Cross-section: The cross-section of human hair is generally circular, while the cross-section of animal hair can be oval or other shapes.
6. Surface Structure: The surface structure of human hair is smooth, while animal hair can have rough and spiculated surfaces.

These differences can be observed under a microscope and can be used to differentiate human hair from animal hair in various contexts, such as forensic analysis.

Comparative Table: Human vs Animal Hair

Here is a table comparing the differences between human and animal hair:

*Based on the search results, the features mentioned above distinguish human hair from animal hair. Note that the information provided is a general comparison and may vary depending on the specific animal species.