Final answer:
Monilethrix is a hereditary condition characterized by beaded or nodular formations on the hair shaft, leading to hair brittle and breakage. It can be identified via a microscopic examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
Monilethrix is a condition in which beads or nodes form on the hair shaft. This condition is characterized by the development of abnormalities in the hair structure leading to generalized or localized alopecia, meaning the loss of hair. It is a rare hereditary disorder, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. The nodes are actually points of normal thickness, while the areas in between these nodes are constricted, leading to brittleness and hair breakage.
One can identify Monilethrix via microscopic examination of the hair which would reveal 'beaded' hair shafts, where each 'bead' represents a node.
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