Integumentary System Vocabulary

Glossary

A

• Acid mantle – A thin, slightly acidicA solution with a pH below 7, having a higher concentration of H⁺ ions. film on the skinThe body’s largest organ, providing protection and regulation. that acts as a barrier to bacteria and contaminants.
• Apocrine sweat glands – Glands found in the armpits and groin that produce sweat containing fatty acids, often associated with body odor.

B

• Basal cell carcinoma – The most common type of skin cancerAbnormal growth of skin cells, often due to UV exposure., arising from cellsThe basic structural and functional units of life. in the stratum basaleThe deepest layer of the epidermis, where new skin cells are formed..
• Bilirubin – A yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobinThe oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells that gives blood its red color., excess amounts cause jaundiceA yellowish skin discoloration caused by excess bilirubin, often due to liver dysfunction..
• Blister – A fluid-filled sac between layers of skin caused by friction, burns, or infections.
• Bronzing – A golden-brown skin discoloration often associated with Addison’s disease.

C

• Carotene – A yellow-orange pigment found in foods like carrots that can tint the skin.
• Cerumen – Earwax, a protective secretionThe process of moving substances from the blood into the nephron tubule to be excreted in urine. produced by ceruminous glandsGlands in the ear canal that produce cerumen..
• Ceruminous glands – Glands in the ear canal that produce cerumenEarwax, a protective secretion produced by ceruminous glands..
• Collagen – A structural protein in the dermisThe thick inner layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue. that provides strength and elasticity.
• Cyanosis – A bluish skin discoloration due to inadequate oxygen in the blood.

D

• Dander – Tiny flakes of dead skin, often shed from the scalp or body.
• Debridement – The removal of dead or damaged tissue, commonly performed on burn patients.
• Dendritic cells – Immune cells in the epidermisThe outermost layer of the skin, made of stratified squamous epithelium. that help fight infections.
• Dermal papilla – Upward extensions of the dermis that interlock with the epidermis, forming fingerprints.
• Dermis – The thick inner layer of the skin that contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.
• Diaphoresis – Profuse sweating, often due to heat, stress, or medical conditions.

E

• Eccrine sweat glands – Glands found all over the body that help regulate body temperature by producing sweat.
• Epidermal ridges – The ridges on the skin surface that form fingerprints.
• Epidermal waterThe universal solvent essential for life. barrier – A protective layer that prevents excessive water loss from the skin.
• Epidermis – The outermost layer of the skin, made of stratified squamous epithelium.
• Erythema – Redness of the skin due to increased blood flow, often caused by heat, infection, or inflammation.
• Eumelanin – A brown-black pigment responsible for darker skin and hair colors.
• Exfoliate – The shedding of dead skin cells from the surface.

F

• First-degree burn – A burn affecting only the epidermis, causing redness and pain without blistering.
• Flexion lines – Creases in the skin found at joints where movementA fundamental property of life involving motion of the body or its parts. occurs.
• Freckles – Small, flat patches of increased melaninA brown-black pigment made by melanocytes in the stratum basal and given to keratinocytes as melanos concentration in the skin.
• Friction ridges – The raised ridges on the fingertips that enhance grip and form fingerprints.
• Full-thickness burn – Another term for a third-degree burnA severe burn affecting all layers of the skin and possibly deeper tissues., affecting all skin layers and possibly deeper tissues.

H

• Hematoma – A localized collection of blood outside blood vessels, often appearing as a bruise.
• Hemoglobin – The oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells that gives blood its red color.
• Hypodermis – The layer beneath the dermis, composed of connective and adipose tissue, providing insulation and cushioning.

I

• Integumentary system – The body system that includes the skin, hair, nailsHard, keratinized structures that protect the fingertips and enhance fine motor skills., and associated glands.

J

• Jaundice – A yellowish skin discoloration caused by excess bilirubinA yellow pigment produced from the breakdown of hemoglobin, excess amounts cause jaundice., often due to liverA large organ that produces bile, detoxifies blood, and stores nutrients. dysfunction.

K

• Keratin – A strong, fibrous protein that forms the structure of skin, hair, and nails.
• Keratinocytes – The most abundant cells in the epidermis, responsible for producing keratinA strong, fibrous protein that forms the structure of skin, hair, and nails..

L

• Lunule – The white, crescent-shaped area at the baseA substance that accepts hydrogen ions (H⁺) or releases hydroxide ions (OH⁻). of the fingernail.

M

• Melanocytes – Cells in the stratum basale that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color.
• Melanoma – A dangerous form of skin cancer that originates in melanocytesCells in the stratum basale that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color..
• Moles – Dark pigmented skin growths caused by clusters of melanocytes.

N

• Nail bed – The skin beneath the nail plate, rich in blood supply.
• Nails – Hard, keratinized structures that protect the fingertips and enhance fine motor skills.

P

• Pallor – An unusual paleness of the skin due to reduced blood flow.
• Papillary layer – The upper layer of the dermis that contains blood vessels and sensory receptorsProteins located on the surface or inside cells that bind specific molecules (e.g., neurotransmitter.
• Partial-thickness burn – Another term for a second-degree burnA burn affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis, often causing blisters., affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis.
• Pheomelanin – A reddish-yellow pigment found in lighter skin and red hair.

R

• Reticular layer – The deeper portion of the dermis, containing collagenA structural protein in the dermis that provides strength and elasticity. and elastin fibers for skin strength.
• Rule of nines – A method used to estimate the percentage of body surface area affected by burns.

S

• Sebaceous glands – Oil-producing glands in the skin that secrete sebumAn oily secretion that helps keep the skin and hair moisturized..
• Sebum – An oily secretion that helps keep the skin and hair moisturized.
• Second-degree burn – A burn affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis, often causing blisters.
• Skin – The body’s largest organ, providing protection and regulation.
• Skin cancer – Abnormal growthAn increase in size and number of cells. of skin cells, often due to UV exposure.
• Squamous cell carcinoma – A type of skin cancer arising from the stratum spinosumA layer of the epidermis with cells connected by desmosomes, giving a spiny appearance..
• Stratum basale – The deepest layer of the epidermis, where new skin cells are formed.
• Stratum granulosum – The layer of the epidermis where keratinization begins.
• Stratum spinosum – A layer of the epidermis with cells connected by desmosomes, giving a spiny appearance.
• Stratum corneum – The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, keratinized cells.
• Stratum lucidum – A thin, clear layer of the epidermis found only in thick skinSkin found on the palms and soles, containing an extra layer (stratum lucidum)..
• Subcutaneous fat – Fat stored beneath the skin that provides insulation and cushioning.
• Sudor – Another term for sweat.
• Sudoriferous glands – Sweat glands responsible for temperature regulation and waste excretion.

T

• Tactile cells – Sensory cells in the epidermis that detect touch.
• Terminal hair – Thick, coarse hair found on the scalp, eyebrows, and other areas after puberty.
• Thick skin – Skin found on the palms and soles, containing an extra layer (stratum lucidumA thin, clear layer of the epidermis found only in thick skin.).
• Thin skin – Skin found on most of the body, lacking a stratum lucidum.
• Third-degree burn – A severe burn affecting all layers of the skin and possibly deeper tissues.
• Transdermal absorption – The process of substances passing through the skin into the bloodstream.

V

• Vellus hair – Fine, light hair that covers most of the body, except for thicker terminal hairThick, coarse hair found on the scalp, eyebrows, and other areas after puberty. regions.
• Vitamin D – A vitamin produced in the skin when exposed to sunlight, essential for calcium absorption.