Which term describes the fatty or oily secretion that lubricates the skin and preserves the softness of the hair?

Which term describes the fatty or oily secretion that lubricates the skin and preserves the softness of the hair?

• A. Lanugo hair
• B. Sebum
• C. Nervous system
• D. Stratum corneum

Answer: (B)

Sebum is the fatty, oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the skin and keeps hair soft and pliable. It helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and adds some natural waterproofing. Lanugo hair is fine prenatal hair, not a secretion. The nervous system isn’t involved in producing skin secretions. The stratum corneum is the outermost skin layer made of dead keratinocytes, not a secretion. So, the term that describes the oily substance that lubricates the skin and preserves hair softness is sebum.

Sebum is the fatty, oily secretion produced by the sebaceous glands that lubricates the skin and keeps hair soft and pliable. It helps maintain the skin’s moisture barrier and adds some natural waterproofing. Lanugo hair is fine prenatal hair, not a secretion. The nervous system isn’t involved in producing skin secretions. The stratum corneum is the outermost skin layer made of dead keratinocytes, not a secretion. So, the term that describes the oily substance that lubricates the skin and preserves hair softness is sebum.