The
cortex of the hair shaft is located between the
hair cuticle and
medulla and is the thickest hair layer. It also contains most of the hair's pigment, giving the hair its color. The pigment in the cortex is
melanin, which is also found in skin. The distribution of this pigment varies from animal to animal and person to person. In humans, the melanin is primarily denser nearer the
cuticle whereas in animals, melanin is primarily denser nearer the
medulla.