Pigments of the Skin

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the pigments of the skin, their functions, and related conditions.

Melanin

A pigment that produces a brownish color in the skin; offers protection against UV radiation.

Eumelanin

A type of melanin that is brown in color.

Pheomelanin

A type of melanin that is reddish in color, present in smaller amounts in most people.

Melanocytes

Cells that produce melanin, which determine skin color by the amount of melanin produced.

Keratinocytes

Skin cells that absorb melanin and help protect the skin from UV radiation.

UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Cyanosis

A bluish appearance of the skin due to deoxygenated hemoglobin.

Jaundice

A yellowish discoloration of the skin and eyes caused by the accumulation of bilirubin due to liver failure.

Vitiligo

A condition resulting in the loss of melanin in certain areas of the skin due to the death of melanocytes.

Albinism

A genetic condition where melanocytes are present but do not produce melanin.

Freckles

Small spots of increased melanin production often triggered by sun exposure.

Moles

Larger accumulations of melanin that can indicate skin abnormalities.

ABCD of Moles

A guideline for evaluating moles; includes Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, and Evolving.

Carotene

A pigment found in plants that can give skin an orange tint when present in high amounts.