Anatomy Unit 3: The Integumentary System - root words and vocab

derm-

skin

epi-

upon

hypo-

below

kerat-

hard

melan-

dark

papill-

nipple

pil-

hair

seb-

oil

sudor-

sweat

ungu

nail

integumentary system

skin and its appendages (hair, nails, sweat and oil glands)

subcutaneous tissue

hypodermis, suppports skin

melanocytes

produce melanin that is absorbed by epidermal cells, contribute to skin color

keratinocytes

produce keratin, restore epidermal barrier

dendritic cells

fight invasive pathogens

dermal papillae

peglike projections from the dermis that indent the epidermis, causing fingerprints

cleavage lines

separations between collagen bundles, externally invisible, longitudinal in skin of limbs and circular around neck and trunk

flexure lines

dermal folds at or near joints, dermis is tightly secured to deeper structures

carotene

yellow to orange pigment that can be converted to vitamin a, which is essential for normal vision and epidermal health

melanin

polymer made of tyrosine, contribute to skin color, uv protection

hemoglobin

oxygenated pigment in red blood cells circulating thru dermal capillaries

pili

flexible strands produced by hair follicles, consist of largely dead, keratinized cells

medulla

central core of hair, large cells, air spaces, soft keratin, not in fine hairs

cortex

bulky layer surrounding the medulla, several layers of flattened cells

cuticle

single layer of cells overlapping each other, separates neighboring hairs, preventing matting

follicle

fold down from epidermal surface into dermis

nail matrix

thickened proximal portion of nail bed, responsible for nail growth

eponychium

cuticle, at base of nail

hyponychium

beneath free edge, dirt and debris tend to accumulate

eccrine

“merocrine,” more numerous than apocrine, palms, soles of feet, forehead, sweat made of 99% sweat with some salts, metabolic wastes, and dermcidin (a microbe-killing peptide)

apocrine

a lot less numerous, pubic areas, armpits, sweat + fatty substances, body odor

ceruminous

modified apocrine glands in ear canal, mix with sebum

mammary

specialized glands that produce milk

sebaceous

found all over the body except palms and soles of feet, secrete sebum, cause of pimples

acid mantle

low pH of skin secretions, slows multiplication of bacteria

cutaneous sensory membrane

respond to stimuli outside the body; tactile, lamellar, hair follicle receptors, nerve endings