Medical Terminology: Chapter 4 - The Integumentary System (full)

Functions of the integumentary system

1. To protect the body from harmful microorganisms

2. To protect the body from harmful effects of UV radiation

3. To protect the body from dehydration

4. To produce vitamin D

5. To assist with temperature regulation

6. To communicate sensory information

The largest organ system of the body is...?

The integumentary system

All of the skin combined weighs about...?

6 lbs. (2.72 kg)

The accessory organs of the integumentary system are...?

Hair, nails, sudoriferous glands, and sebaceous glands

integument-

covering

epidermis

outer layer of skin; waterproof layer that functions as protection and contains melanocytes

dermis

deep layer of skin that contains the sweat and oil glands; also contains tiny muscles attached to hair follicles

subcutaneous layer

layer of loose connective tissue that connects the skin to the surface muscles; contains the blood vessels and fat

adipocytes

fat cells that make up most of the subcutaneous layer

arrector pili

tiny muscle attached to hair follicle

hair

keratinized fibers that arise from hair follicles

hair follicle

area from which hair grows; located in the dermis

keratin

protein found in the hair and nails that promotes hardness

keratinocytes

cells that make up the epidermal layer of skin and assist in waterproofing the body

melanocytes

cells that give color to skin, eyes, and hair

nail

translucent plate made of keratin that covers and protects the ends of the fingers and toes

sebaceous gland

glands that secrete oil (sebum) into the hair follicle and into the epidermis

sebum

oily secretion of the sebaceous gland

sudoriferous gland

glands that secrete sweat to the outside of the body; assist in body temperature regulation

cry/o

cold

cyan/o

blue

derm/o, dermat/o, cutane/o

skin

electr/o

electric

erythr/o

red

hidr/o

sweat

kerat/o, scler/o

hard

lip/o, adip/o

fat

melan/o

black, dark

myc/o

fungus

necr/o

death

onych/o

nail

pachy/o

thick

py/o

pus

rhytid/o

wrinkle

seb/o

sebum

trich/o

hair

xanth/o

yellow

xer/o

dry

a-, an-

not, without

bio-

life

epi-

on, following

intra-

within

para-

beside

per-

through

sub-

below, beneath

trans-

through

-derma

skin condition

-ectomy

excision, surgical removal

-genic

originating, producing

-itis

inflammation

-logist

one who specializes in

-logy

study of

-malacia

softening

-pathy

disease

-phagia

to eat

-plasia

formation, growth

-plasty

surgical repair, reconstruction

-rrhea

flow, discharge

-tome

instrument used to cut

adipose

fat, fatty

atypical

unusual

circumscribed

contained to a specific area

cyanosis

blue discoloration of skin and other tissues

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

dysplasia

abnormal growth of tissues

erythematous

condition of being red

eschar

blackened area of burned tissue

exfoliation

shedding of dead skin cells

hyperplasia

excessive growth of tissue

indurated

pertaining to an area of hardened tissue

integumentary

pertaining to the skin and accessory organs

pallor

abnormally pale skin coloration

pruritic

pertaining to itching

purulent

containing pus

sebaceous

pertaining to sebum

sudoriferous

pertaining to sweat

turgor

condition of fullness

pyel/o

inner kidney

pyr/o

fever

dysphagia

difficulty eating or swallowing

aphagia

the inability to speak

abrasion

injury resulting in removal of the superficial layers of the skin

abscess

a circumscribed collection of pus caused by bacterial infection

acne

inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles marked by papules and pustules

albinism

an inherited disorder with deficiency of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes

burn

injury to the skin caused by heat

superficial burn

(first-degree or sunburn): a burn involving only the epidermis; causes redness and swelling, but no blisters

partial-thickness burn

(second-degree burn): a burn involving the epidermis and dermis; involves blisters

full-thickness burn

(third-degree burn): a burn involving the destruction of the entire skin; causes severe scarring

carbuncle

collection of large abscesses in groups of hair follicles connected in channels

cellulitis

inflammation of the subcutaneous layer of the skin

cicatrix

fibrous tissue replacing destroyed tissues; a scar

comedo

dilated hair follicle with bacteria and sebum; whitehead or blackhead

contusion

injury producing discoloration and swelling; a bruise

cyst

closed sac that contains liquid

decubitis ulcer

pressure sore of the skin

eczema

inflammatory condition of the skin causing redness, scaling, blisters, itchiness, and burning

excoriation

scratch mark

fissure

deep furrow, cleft, slit, or tear in the skin

furuncle

infection of the hair follicle; a boil