The resting stage of hair growth when the hair bulb has no attached root sheath is referred to as the:

• A. Active stage
• B. Telogen stage
• C. Anagen stage
• D. Catagen stage

Answer: (B)

The resting stage is when the hair follicle is not actively growing and the hair bulb has detached from the root sheath. This is telogen. During telogen the follicle takes a break from producing new cells, so the hair remains in a dormant state and may shed eventually. The root sheath is no longer connected to the hair bulb, which is the hallmark of this phase.

In contrast, the active growth phase (anagen) features rapid cell division with the root sheath firmly attached to the growing hair, and the hair lengthens. The catagen phase is a short transitional period where growth ends and the follicle prepares to restart growth, not a true resting state with detachment.