Anatomy: Ch. 4 Vocabulary Terms

ABCD Rule:

Used for detection of atypical cells.

Arrector Pili

Tiny, smooth muscles attached to hair follicles, which cause the hair to stand upright when activated.

Benign

Refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not considered to be cancerous, meaning it does not spread to other parts of the body.

Body Membranes

They cover surfaces, line body cavities and form protective sheets around organs.

Burn

Tissue damage (destruction of proteins of the skin) and cell death caused by: heat, electricity, UV radiation, or chemicals.

Cutaneous Membrane

The skin composed of epidermal and dermal layers.

Dermal Papillae

These are the peg-like projections located on the papillary layer (upper dermal region), small nipple-like projections.

Dermis

The deep layer of the skin, composed of dense, irregular, connective tissue.

Epidermis

The outer layer of the skin; epithelium.

Epithelial Membranes

Also called covering a lining membranes that include cutaneous (skin), mucous and serous membranes.

Exocrine Glands

Glands that have ducts through which their secretions are carried to the body surface.

First-Degree Burns

A burn where only the epidermis is damaged.

Hair Follicles

Found in the dermal and epidermal sheaths surrounding the hair root.

Hair

A flexible epithelial structure which is produced by hair follicles. Threadlike pigmented structures that grow from follicles, which helps prevent heat loss from the body.

Integument

Means skin or cutaneous membranes.

Integumentary System

A body system that contains the skin and its accessory organs.

Keratinocytes

Predominant cell type in the epidermis, located in the basal layer and produces keratin.

Langerhan Cell

These are dendritic cells (antigen-presenting immune cells) of the skin. They are present in all layers of the epidermis and are most prominent in the stratum spinosum, aid in immunity.

Matrix

Growth zone in a hair bulb, a hair is formed by division of the well-nourished stratum basale epithelial cells.

Malignant

Cells are cancerous and spread to other tissues and organs

Melanocytes

Type of cell that's primarily located in the basal layer of the epidermis produce melanin, a brown pigment that is responsible for skin coloration and protecting against the harmful effects of UV light.

Merkle Cells

Located in the basal layer, functions in tactile sensory perception.

Mucous Membrane

Membranes that form the linings of body cavities open to the exterior of the body.

Nail

A scale like modification of the epidermis that corresponds to the hoof or claw of other animals.

Papillary Layer

The upper dermal region.

Parietal

Is part of a serous membrane that lines a portion of the wall of ventral body cavity

Pleura

The serous membrane covering the lungs and lining the thoracic cavity.

Reticular Layer

Deepest layer of the dermis; has blood vessels, sweat and oil glands and pressure receptors.

Rule of Nines

A way to estimate the amount of fluid lost and also a way to determine the extent of burns.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands that empty their sebum secretion into hair follicles.

Second-Degree Burns

A burn where the epidermis and upper dermis are damaged.

Serous Membrane

Membranes that lines a cavity without an opening to the outside of the body.

Skin

The body's outer covering. It protects us against heat, light, injury, and infection and assists in regulating body temperature.

Skin Appendages

Include cutaneous glands, hair follicles and nails, each serving a unique role in maintaining homeostasis, arising from the epidermis.

Stratum Basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis, combinations of merkel cells, melanocytes, keratinocytes and stem cells that divide repeatedly (basically cells undergoing mitosis).

Stratum Corneum

the outermost layer of the epidermis, 25 - 30 layers of flat dead cells filled with keratin and surrounded by lipids

Stratum Granulosum

One of the layers of the epidermis, situated just below the stratum corneum and/or under the stratum lucidum.

Stratum Lucidum

This is the 2nd to the outermost layer of the epidermis, occurs only in thick, hairless skin of the palms and soles.

Stratum Spinosum

this is the 2nd to the deepest layer of the epidermis, 8 - 10 cell layers held together via desmosomes.

Subcutaneous Tissue (hypodermis)

This is essentially adipose tissue which lies deep to the dermis. (beneath the skin)

Sudoriferous glands

Produce sweat and is stimulated by high temperatures and by hormones, especially in males, two types: eccrine and apocrine.

Synovial Membranes

Membranes that lines the capsule of a synovial joint.

Third-Degree Burn

A burn where the entire skin layer is damaged.

Visceral

Is part of a serous membrane that covers the outside of the organ