SKIN

adipocyte

Fat cell

albinism

Condition of skin deficient in pigment (melanin).

apocrine sweat gland

One of the large dermal exocrine glands located in the axilla and genital areas. It secretes sweat that, in action with bacteria, is responsible for human body odor.

basal layer

Deepest region of the epidermis; it gives rise to all the epidermal cells.

collagen

Structural protein found in the skin and connective tissue.

cuticle

Band of epidermis at the base and sides of the nail plate.

dermis

Middle layer of the skin.

eccrine sweat gland

Most numerous sweat-producing exocrine gland in the skin.

epidermis

Outermost layer of the skin.

epithelium

Layer of skin cells forming the outer and inner surfaces of the body.

hair follicle

Sac within which each hair grows.

integumentary system

The skin and its accessory structures such as hair and nails.

keratin

Hard protein material found in the epidermis, hair, and nails. Keratin means horn and commonly is found in the horns of animals.

lunula

Half-moon-shaped, whitish area at the base of a nail.

melanin

Skin pigment. It is formed by melanocytes in the epidermis. Eumelanin is brown-black pigment, whereas pheomelanin is red-yellow.

paronychium

Soft tissue surrounding the nail border.

pore

Tiny opening on the surface of the skin.

sebaceous gland

Oil-secreting gland in the dermis that is associated with hair follicles

sebum

Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands

squamous epithelium

Flat, scale-like cells composing the epidermis.

stratified

Arranged in layers

Stratum (plural: strata)

A layer (of cells).

stratum corneum

Outermost layer of the epidermis, which consists of flattened, keratinized cells.

subcutaneous layer

Innermost layer of the skin, containing fat tissue.

macule

Not raised above the surface of the skin

papule

Raised above the surface of the skin

nodule

A large papule

vesicle

Filled with fluid

bulla

A large vesicle

pustule

Filled with pus

crust

Dried blood etc. on the surface of the skin

scales

A thin layer of epidermis separated from the skin

cicatrix

a mark on the skin after healing

naevus

A color skin lesion present at birth

fleshy naevus

A raised brown naevus

verruca

A nodule produced by HPV

furuncle

A large pustule, or skin abcess