| Pili bifurcati | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Dermatology  |
Pili bifurcati is characterized by bifurcation found in short segments along the shafts of several hairs, with each branch of the bifurcation being covered with its own cuticle.[1]: 768 [2]
Pili bifurcati is defined by uneven bifurcation of the hair shaft.[3] Every bifurcation forms two distinct parallel branches that eventually unite to form a single shaft. Each branch of the subsequent bifurcations is entirely encased in its own cuticle.[4]
The etiology of pili bifurcati is a temporary duplication of the papilla tip that occurs during the anagen phase. This temporary production results in two full shafts that emerge from a single pilary canal within the same follicular matrix.[5]
Hair shaft analysis and trichogram are used to make the diagnosis. Reduced hair shaft caliber and a high percentage of dystrophic anagen hairs may be seen in the first. Patients with protein deficits can havehypopigmentation andtelogen effluvium. Hair shafts studied underlight microscopy reveals the distinctive bifurcations.[3]