follicle

Everyday

1. (science) A tiny hole or sac in the skin from which a hair grows. tree →
2. (science) A small sac in the body containing other things, such as an egg in the ovary. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on skin and hair: each hair grows from a follicle. When you get goose bumps, small muscles pull the hairs up. Shampoo adverts talk about «hair follicles».

Examples

• Each hair grows from a follicle. tree →
• A pimple can form when a follicle is blocked. tree →
• There are thousands of follicles on your head. tree →
• The diagram shows a hair inside its follicle. tree →
• Pulling out a hair can hurt the follicle. tree →
• Sweat glands sit near the hair follicles. tree →

Note

Countable. Pronounced FOL-ih-kul. Spelling: follicle — two l's, then -icle.