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Male Pattern Baldness (MPB): The most common type of hair loss that is caused by hormones, genes and age, and is usually progressive in nature. It affects the central and frontal area of the scalp and often results in a pronounced U-Shape configuration.
Medulla: A central zone of cells present only in large, thick hairs.
Melanin : Pigmenting granules within the keratin fibers of the hair shaft that determine hair color. They usually decrease with age, resulting in gray or white hair.
Melanocyte : A specialized cell containing pigment (melanin), which determines hair color.
Menopause : The permanent cessation of menstruation and estrogen secretion from a woman's ovaries.
Merck & Co., Inc.: the manufacturer of Proscar and Propecia (finasteride).
Micrograft : A very small hair graft consisting of one or two hairs.
Midline : Region towards the middle of the scalp
Miniaturization : The destructive process by which DHT shinks hair follicles, key marker of androgenetic alopecia.
Minigraft : A small hair graft consisting of three to eight follicles each.
Minoxidil : A prescription medication taken orally for the treatment of high blood pressure and used topically to retard hair loss and/ or encourage hair growth. Generic name for Rogaine .
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Nonscarring Alopecia: A broad category of different types of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia. The hair follicle remains intact, thus increasing the likelihood that hair loss can be reversed.
Norwood Scale : a scale for the classification of hair loss
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Papilla : The small root area at the base of hair, which receives the nutrients from the follicle needed for hair growth.
Placebo : a pill, topical, or injection made to appear exactly like a test medication, but without any of its active ingredients.
Polysorbate 80 : an emulsifying agent that has been marketed extensively by "private" companies as a hair growth promoting agent.
Postauricular Flap : Surgical procedure during which a strip of hair-bearing scalp is taken from the area behind the ear and is rotated 90 degrees to the front, forming a hairline.
Posterior Scalp: Back of the head.
Preauricular Flap : Surgical procedure during which a strip of hair-bearing scalp is taken from the temple area and is rotated about 90 degrees to the front, forming a hairline.
Progesterone: Female sex hormone that induces secretory changes in the lining of the uterus essential for successful implantation of a fertilized egg. Synthetic compounds with progesterone like activity have been developed that, along with estrogen , are used in oral contraceptives.
Propecia : The brand name for 1mg dose of finasteride , approved for the prevention and treatment of male pattern baldness.
Proscar : finasteride as an FDA approved treatment for BPH .
Prosthetic : An artificial replacement
Punch Graft: A group of ten to twenty hairs in a circular graft.
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Recipient Site : Bald area which hair grafts are transplanted.
Rejection : Tissue not accepted by the body and which, therefore dies
Retin-A: A brand name for a prescription acne medication. Has in some cases shown to be effective against hair loss, particularly when combined with minoxidil, however, can cause extreme scalp irritation that can make hair loss worse.
Retroauricular Area: Area behind the ear
Rogaine: The brand name for minoxidil topical hair growth solution, available over the counter in 2% solution and 5% extra strength solution.
Rotational Flap: A surgical procedure which involves lifting a three-sided area of hair-bearing scalp and pivoting it 90 to 180 degrees into the balding area.
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