What is the technical term for broken hair?

• A. Abraded hair or cuticle
• B. Trichorrhexis Nodosa
• C. Tricholysis
• D. Trichoptilosis

Answer: (A)

The main idea is recognizing terminology for hair damage caused by friction and wear, which leads to broken strands. When the cuticle is worn away by rubbing, brushing, or chemical/thermal stress, the hair becomes abraded. This describes broken hair in a general, practical sense—the hair feels rough, looks dull, and can break easily because the protective outer layer has been worn down. That’s why “abraded hair” is the best descriptor here.

The other terms point to more specific conditions: trichorrhexis nodosa refers to a shaft with node-like swellings that fracture at those nodes, a more distinctive structural defect; trichoptilosis means split ends at the tips, not general shaft breakage; and tricholysis is not the standard term used for everyday broken hair.