catagen

noun

cat·​a·​gen ˈka-tə-ˌjen How to pronounce catagen (audio)
: a short transitional phase of the hair growth cycle between anagen and telogen that usually lasts between 10 to 20 days and during which the lower portion of the hair follicle regresses and hair growth ends
In catagen, the hair follicle stops producing the fiber and regresses, shrinking dramatically.Damaris Christensen

Examples of catagen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Hair grows in the anagen phase, stays at rest in the catagen phase, and eventually sheds in the telogen phase. Mark Gurarie, Health, 27 Oct. 2024 The stages are anagen (growth stage), catagen (regression stage), telogen (resting stage), and exogen (shedding stage). Nancy Lebrun, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2024 Expect to go in for treatments every four weeks, which syncs with the body’s natural hair growth cycle: the antigen phase, meaning growing; the catagen phase, which is when the hair rests; and the telogen phase, the period when the hair falls out. Hunter Lacey, Allure, 3 July 2024 The average hair growth cycle occurs in three phases: the growing phase (anagen) which can last up to six years until the regressing phase occurs (catagen), before the hair sheds in the (telogen) resting phase. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 1 Apr. 2024 Normal, healthy hair growth occurs in four stages: Growth (anagen), transition (catagen), resting (telogen), and shedding (exogen). Brenda Della Casa, Allure, 22 Mar. 2024 Alopecia areata's inflammatory immune response triggers a premature telogen or late catagen stage within the hair follicles. Heather L. Brannon, Md, Verywell Health, 27 Jan. 2024 After the anagen growth phase, the lashes enter a 15-day catagen phase, in which the eyelashes stop growing before entering the third and final telogen (or resting) phase. Lindsay Modglin, Health, 22 June 2023

Word History

Etymology

cata- + -gen

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catagen was in 1926

Dictionary Entries Near catagen

Cite this Entry

“Catagen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catagen. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

catagen

noun
cat·​a·​gen ˈka-tə-ˌjen How to pronounce catagen (audio)
: a short transitional phase of the hair growth cycle between anagen and telogen that usually lasts between 10 to 20 days and during which the lower portion of the hair follicle regresses and hair growth ends
Anagen is followed by a regressive stage called catagen, of about two to three weeks, then a resting stage, telogen, of about three months.C. Claiborne Ray
In catagen, the hair follicle stops producing the fiber and regresses, shrinking dramatically.Damaris Christensen
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