SKIN PART 1

Skin

Major organ responsible for maintaining homeostasis, synthesizing Vitamin D, regulating body temperature, and protecting against microorganisms, harmful substances, and radiation.

Epidermis

The most superficial layer of the skin, which is avascular and dependent on the dermis for nutrition.

Abrasion

A wound characterized by scraping or wearing away of the skin.

Laceration

A wound that involves tearing or cutting of the skin.

Puncture

A wound caused by a pointed object penetrating the skin and deeper tissues.

Dermis

The vascular layer of skin that contains connective tissue, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles.

Melanin

Dark pigment responsible for coloration of the skin and protection against harmful substances.

Physiologic Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin that appears 2-7 days after birth.

Pathologic Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of the skin that appears within 24 hours after birth.

Phototherapy

A treatment utilizing ultraviolet light to address skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and jaundice.

Vellus Hair

Fine, short, and unpigmented hair, often referred to as 'peach fuzz'.

Terminal Hair

Coarse, thick hair that becomes more pigmented due to the influence of testosterone.

Lunula

The whitish, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands in the skin that secrete an oily substance to the skin surface via hair follicles.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands that are widely distributed and open directly onto the skin surface to help control body temperature.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands located in the axillary and genital areas that open into hair follicles and are stimulated by emotional stress.

Macule

A primary skin lesion that is small, flat, and non-palpable, with a skin color change of less than 1 cm.

Papule

An elevated, palpable, solid mass of skin that is less than 0.5 cm and has a circumscribed border.

Vesicle

A circumscribed elevated mass containing serous fluid, less than 0.5 cm in size.

Wheal

An elevated mass with a transient border, often irregular, caused by the movement of serous fluid into the dermis.