Eumelanin can be found in which part of darker hair, and may be located in the cuticle?

• A. Only in the medulla
• B. In the cortex and may be located in the cuticle
• C. Only in the cuticle
• D. Not present in dark hair

Answer: (B)

Eumelanin is the pigment that gives dark hair its color and is deposited mainly in the cortex, the thick middle layer that carries most of the hair’s color and strength. In darker hair, more eumelanin produces that deeper shade. It can also be present in the cuticle, the outer protective layer, in some cases, so noting that it may be located there is accurate. The medulla, the central core, typically contains little pigment in normal dark hair, which is why pigment is not described as being confined to the medulla. So the correct idea is that eumelanin resides in the cortex and may also be found in the cuticle.