Integumentary System Terminology and Skin Conditions

Vocabulary review covering skin layers, glands, pigment conditions, melanoma detection (ABCDEs), skin lesions, and common integumentary terms.

Hypodermis

The innermost layer of skin, is made of connective tissue and adipose, attaches to muscle

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin has no nerves or blood vessels.

Sudoriferous glands

Also known as sweat glands, help to cool the body as sweat evaporates

Sebaceous glands

Oil glands. They produce sebum and keep skin and hair from becoming dry.

Dermis

Known as "true skin." This layer has a framework of connective tissues, blood vessels, nerves, glands, and muscles.

Jaundice

A yellow discoloration of the skin

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin caused by insufficient oxygen

Albino

A person with an absence of color pigments

Melanin

A brownish black pigment produced in the epidermis by melanocytes

Erythema

A reddish color of the skin caused by burns or congestion of blood in the vessels

Asymmetry

If one draws a line through the middle of the lesion, the two halves are unequal.

Border

Ragged edges develop

Color

Multiple colors are a warning sign

Diameter

It is a warning sign if a lesion is the size of a pencil, eraser, or larger.

Evolving

Any change in size, shape, color, or elevation of a spot or any new symptom

Pustules

Pus-filled sacs such as those seen in acne

Vesicles

Blisters, or fluid-filled sacs

Macules

Flat spots on the skin, such as freckles

Crusts

Areas of dried pus and blood, commonly called scabs

Ulcer

A deep loss of skin surface that may extend to the dermis

Ringworm

A highly contagious fungal infection of the skin or scalp

Alopecia

Baldness

Dilate

Become larger—usually blood vessels or pupils

Dermatitis

An inflammation of the skin caused by any substance that irritates the skin

Constrict

Become smaller—usually blood vessels or pupils