TERMS: Integumentary System

integumentary system

the organ system that includes the skin and its accessory organs

epidermis

the outer layer of skin composed of stratified squamous epithelium; lacks blood vessels

stratum basale

the deepest layer of the epidermis; nourished by blood vessels in the dermis

keratinization

the process in which the cytoplasm of cells is replaced by the protein keratin

callus

areas of skin that are rubbed or pressed regularly, causing an increase in cell division

melanocytes

body cells that produce a pigment called melanin; located in the stratum basale

melanin

a pigment found in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye; produced by melanocytes

melanoma

a type of skin cancer that occurs when melanocytes become cancerous

dermis

the middle layer of skin that binds the epidermis to underlying tissues and makes the skin tough and elastic

dermal papillae

projections from the dermis into the epidermis that are responsible for making fingerprints

subcutaneous layer

the layer located beneath the dermis; insulates the body; also known as the hypodermis

scabies

an itchy, highly contagious skin disease caused by an infestation of itch mites

hair follicles

tubelike depressions in the skin where hair develops

arrector pili muscle

a bundle of smooth muscle attached to each hair follicle

sebaceous glands

glands that secrete sebum into hair follicles

sebum

an oily mixture of fatty material and cellular debris

nails

protective coverings for the ends of the fingers and toes; produced by epidermal cells that undergo keratinization

nail plate

keratinized epidermal cells that cover the surface of the nail

nail bed

the skin located underneath the nail plate

lunula

a whitish, thickened, half-moon-shaped region at the base of the nail plate; the most active growing region

sudoriferous glands

exocrine glands located throughout the skin; also known as sweat glands

eccrine glands

sweat glands commonly found in the neck, back, palms, feet, and forehead; the most numerous sweat glands in the body

apocrine gland

sweat glands mostly found in the armpits and groin; usually connected to hair follicles

carcinoma

a type of skin cancer that occurs when epithelial cells in the epidermis become cancerous

cellulitis

a bacterial infection that can enter through a break in the skin and affects the skin's deeper layers and underlying tissues

alopecia

an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss from the scalp or other parts of the body

first degree burn

a type of burn that affects only the epidermis

second degree burn

a type of burn that affects the epidermis and part of the dermis

third degree burn

a type of burn that affects the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer

fourth degree burn

a type of burn that affects all layers of the skin, as well as muscle and bone

the rule of nines

a tool used to assess the total body surface area involved in burns

Parkland formula

an equation used to estimate the amount of fluid resuscitation required for burn victims

inflammation

the tissue's response to injury or stress, such as pain, warmth, redness, and swelling