The skin and its accessory organs (hair, nails, and glands) are the integumentary system of the body. Integument means covering.
Skin contains two types of glands that produce important secretions. These glands under the skin are the sebaceous and the sweat glands.
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily secretion, and sweat glands produce sweat, a watery secretion.
Layers of the skin
Squamous epithelial cells are flat and scale-like. In the outer layer of the skin, these cells are arranged in several layers (strata) and are therefore called stratified squamous epithelium.
apocrine sweat gland: One of large dermal exocrine glands located in the axilla and genital areas.
Basal layer: The deepest region of the epidermis; it gives rise to all the epidermal cells.
collagen: Structual protein found in the skin and connective tissue.
Stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, which consists of flattened, keratinized (horny) cells.
keratin: Hair protein material found in the epidermis, hair, and nails. Keratin means horn and is commonly found in the horns of the animals. The basal layer of the epidermis contains special cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes form and contain a brown-black pigment called melanin.
albino: Person with skin deficient in pigment (melanin)
lunula: is a semilunar (half-moon), white region at the base of the nail plate.
paronychium: is the soft tissue surrounding the nail border.
cuticle: a narrow, band of epidermis (layer of keratin)
epithelium: Layer of skin cells forming the outer and inner surfaces of the body.
hair follicle: Sac within which each har grows.
lipocyte: A fat cell.
melanin: Major pigment that gives the skin color. It is formed by melanocytes in the epidermis.
pors: Tiny opening on the surface of the skin.
sebum: Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands.
squamous epithelium: Flat, scale-like composing the epidermis.
statified: Arranged in layers.
stratum (plural: strata) : A layer (of cells).
stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, which consists of flattened, keratinized (horny) cells.
epidermis: Outer most layer of the skin.
dermis: Middle layer of the skin; also called corium.
subcutaneous tissue: The innermost layer of the skin, containing fat tissue.
Integumentary System - Combining Forms and Suffixes
adip/o - fat
lip /o - fat
steat/o - fat
albin/o - white
leuk/o - white
anthrac/o - black (as coal)
chlor/o - green
cirrh/o - tawny yellow
jaund/o - yellow
xanth/o - yellow
lute/o - yellow
cyan/o - blue
eosin/o - rosy
erythr/o - red
melan/o - black
poli/o - gray
caus/o - burn, burning
cauter/o - heat, burn
cutane/o - skin
derm/o - skin
dermat/o - skin
diaphor/o - profuse sweating
erythem/o - redness
erythemat/o - redness
hidr/o - sweat
ichthy/o - (fish-like) - scaly, dry
kerat/o - hard, horny tissue
lip/o - fat
myc/o - fungus (fungi include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms)
onych/o - nail
ungu/o - nail
phyt/o - plant
pil/o - hair
trich/o - hair
rhytid/o - wrinkle
seb/o - sebum (oily secretion from sebaceous glands)
squam/o - scale-like
steat/o - fat
trich/o - hair
ungu/o - nail
xanth/o - yellow
xer/o - dry
Suffixes
-derma -> skin
Integumentary System - Lesions, Signs and Symptoms, Abnormal Conditions, and Skin Neoplasms
Integumentary System - Cutaneous Lesions
crust: Collection of dried serum and cellular debris.
cyst : Thick-walled, closed sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material.
erosion: Wearing away of loss of epidermis.
fissure: Groove or crack-like sore.
polyp: Mushroom-like growth extending on a stalk from the surface of mucous membrane.
ulcer: Open sore on the skin or mucous membrane.
vesicle: Small collection of clear fluid (serum); blister.
wheal: Smooth, slightly elevated, edematous (swollen) area that is redder or paler than the surrounding skin.
macule: Discolored (often reddened) flat lesion.
nodule: Solid, elevated lesion more than 1 cm in diameter. (>1 cm - nodule)
papule: Solid, elevated lesion less than 1 cm in diameter. (<1 cm - papule)
pustule: Small elevation of the skin containing pus.
Integumentary System - Signs and Symptoms
alopecia: Absence of hair from areas where it normally grows.
ecchymosis (plural - ecchymoses): Bluish-black mark (macule) on the skin; black-and-blue mark. (ec- means out and chym/o means pour)
petechia (plural - petechiae): A small, pinpoint hemorrage.
pruritus: Itching.
purpura: Merging ecchymoses and petechiae over any part of the body.
urticaria(hives): Acute allergic reaction in which red, round wheals develop on the skin.
Integumentary System - Abnormal Conditions
acne: Papular and pustular eruption of the skin.
burns: Injury to tissues caused by heat.
cellulitis: Diffuse, acute infection of the skin marked by local heat, redness, pain, and swelling.
eczema: Inflammatory skin disease with erythematous, papulovesicular lesions.
exanthematous viral diseases: Rash (exanthem) of the skin due to a viral infection.
gangrene: Death of tissue associated with loss of blood supply.
impetigo: Bacterial inflammatory skin disease characterized by vesicles, pustules, and crusted-over lesions.
psoriasis: Chronic, recurrent dermatosis marked by itchy, scaly, red plaques covered by silvery gray scales.
scabies: A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus.
scleroderma: A chronic progressive disease of the skin with hardening and shrinking of connective tissue.
systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE): Chronic inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, of joints, and of internal organs.
tines: Infection of the skin caused by a fungus.
vitiligo: Loss of pigment (depigmentation) in areas of the skin (milk-white patches). Also known as leukoderma.
Integumentary System - Skin Neoplasms
callus: Increased growth of cells in the keratin layer of the epidermis caused by pressure or friction.
keloid: Hypertrophied, thickened scar that occurs after trauma or surgical incision.
keratosis: Thickened area of the epidermis.
leukoplakia: White, thickened patches on mucous membrane tissue of the tongue or cheek.
nevus (plural - nevi): Pigmented lesion of the skin.
verruca: Epidermal growth caused by a virus(wart).
Integumentary System - Cancerous Lesions
basal cell carcinoma: Malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis.
Kaposi sarcoma: Malignant, vascular, neoplastic growth characterized by cutaneous nodules. Frequently on the lower extremities.
malignant melanoma: Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes.
squamous cell carcinoma: Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis.
Integumentary System - Clinical Procedures
cryosurgery: Use of subfreezing temperature via liquid nitrogen application to destroy tissue.
curettage: Use of sharp dermal curet (curette) to scrape away a skin lesion.
electrodesiccation: Tissue is destroyed by burning with an electric spark.
Mohs surgery: Thin layers of malignant growth are removed, and each is examined under a microscope.
skin biopsy: Suspected malignant skin lesions are removed and sent to the pathology laboratory for microscopic examination.
skin test: The reaction of the body to a substance by observing the results of injecting the substance intradermally or applying it topically to the skin.
Integumentary System - Abbreviations
ABCD - asymmetry, border, color, diameter; characteristics associated with skin cancer.
bx - biopsy.
Derm. - dermatology.
DLE - discoid lupus erythematosus.
PPD - purified protein derivative; skin test for tuberculosis.
PUVA - psoralen-ultraviolet (A light therapy).
SLE - systemic lupus erythematosus
subcut - subcutaneous.
Skin contains two types of glands that produce important secretions. These glands under the skin are the sebaceous and the sweat glands.
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily secretion, and sweat glands produce sweat, a watery secretion.
Layers of the skin
Integumentary System - Vocabulary
- Epidermis : a thin, cellular membrane layer (Outermost layer of the skin).
- Dermis (Corium) : Middle layer of the skin. Dense, fibrous, connective tissue layer. (Sebaceous glands are located in dermal layer. They secrete an oily substance called sebum)
- Subcutaneous tissue: thick, fat-containing tissue. (Lipocytes are predominant in the subcutaneous layer)
Squamous epithelial cells are flat and scale-like. In the outer layer of the skin, these cells are arranged in several layers (strata) and are therefore called stratified squamous epithelium.
apocrine sweat gland: One of large dermal exocrine glands located in the axilla and genital areas.
Basal layer: The deepest region of the epidermis; it gives rise to all the epidermal cells.
collagen: Structual protein found in the skin and connective tissue.
Stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, which consists of flattened, keratinized (horny) cells.
keratin: Hair protein material found in the epidermis, hair, and nails. Keratin means horn and is commonly found in the horns of the animals. The basal layer of the epidermis contains special cells called melanocytes. Melanocytes form and contain a brown-black pigment called melanin.
albino: Person with skin deficient in pigment (melanin)
lunula: is a semilunar (half-moon), white region at the base of the nail plate.
paronychium: is the soft tissue surrounding the nail border.
cuticle: a narrow, band of epidermis (layer of keratin)
epithelium: Layer of skin cells forming the outer and inner surfaces of the body.
hair follicle: Sac within which each har grows.
lipocyte: A fat cell.
melanin: Major pigment that gives the skin color. It is formed by melanocytes in the epidermis.
pors: Tiny opening on the surface of the skin.
sebum: Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands.
squamous epithelium: Flat, scale-like composing the epidermis.
statified: Arranged in layers.
stratum (plural: strata) : A layer (of cells).
stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, which consists of flattened, keratinized (horny) cells.
epidermis: Outer most layer of the skin.
dermis: Middle layer of the skin; also called corium.
subcutaneous tissue: The innermost layer of the skin, containing fat tissue.
Integumentary System - Combining Forms and Suffixes
adip/o - fat
lip /o - fat
steat/o - fat
albin/o - white
leuk/o - white
anthrac/o - black (as coal)
chlor/o - green
cirrh/o - tawny yellow
jaund/o - yellow
xanth/o - yellow
lute/o - yellow
cyan/o - blue
eosin/o - rosy
erythr/o - red
melan/o - black
poli/o - gray
caus/o - burn, burning
cauter/o - heat, burn
cutane/o - skin
derm/o - skin
dermat/o - skin
diaphor/o - profuse sweating
erythem/o - redness
erythemat/o - redness
hidr/o - sweat
ichthy/o - (fish-like) - scaly, dry
kerat/o - hard, horny tissue
lip/o - fat
myc/o - fungus (fungi include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms)
onych/o - nail
ungu/o - nail
phyt/o - plant
pil/o - hair
trich/o - hair
rhytid/o - wrinkle
seb/o - sebum (oily secretion from sebaceous glands)
squam/o - scale-like
steat/o - fat
trich/o - hair
ungu/o - nail
xanth/o - yellow
xer/o - dry
Suffixes
-derma -> skin
Integumentary System - Lesions, Signs and Symptoms, Abnormal Conditions, and Skin Neoplasms
Integumentary System - Cutaneous Lesions
crust: Collection of dried serum and cellular debris.
cyst : Thick-walled, closed sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material.
erosion: Wearing away of loss of epidermis.
fissure: Groove or crack-like sore.
polyp: Mushroom-like growth extending on a stalk from the surface of mucous membrane.
ulcer: Open sore on the skin or mucous membrane.
vesicle: Small collection of clear fluid (serum); blister.
wheal: Smooth, slightly elevated, edematous (swollen) area that is redder or paler than the surrounding skin.
macule: Discolored (often reddened) flat lesion.
nodule: Solid, elevated lesion more than 1 cm in diameter. (>1 cm - nodule)
papule: Solid, elevated lesion less than 1 cm in diameter. (<1 cm - papule)
pustule: Small elevation of the skin containing pus.
Integumentary System - Signs and Symptoms
alopecia: Absence of hair from areas where it normally grows.
ecchymosis (plural - ecchymoses): Bluish-black mark (macule) on the skin; black-and-blue mark. (ec- means out and chym/o means pour)
petechia (plural - petechiae): A small, pinpoint hemorrage.
pruritus: Itching.
purpura: Merging ecchymoses and petechiae over any part of the body.
urticaria(hives): Acute allergic reaction in which red, round wheals develop on the skin.
Integumentary System - Abnormal Conditions
acne: Papular and pustular eruption of the skin.
burns: Injury to tissues caused by heat.
- first-degree burns: superficial epidermal lesions, erythema, hyperesthesia, and no blisters. (Ex: Sunburn).
- second-degree burns: partial-thickness burn injury.
- third-degree burns: full-thickness burn injury.
cellulitis: Diffuse, acute infection of the skin marked by local heat, redness, pain, and swelling.
eczema: Inflammatory skin disease with erythematous, papulovesicular lesions.
exanthematous viral diseases: Rash (exanthem) of the skin due to a viral infection.
gangrene: Death of tissue associated with loss of blood supply.
impetigo: Bacterial inflammatory skin disease characterized by vesicles, pustules, and crusted-over lesions.
psoriasis: Chronic, recurrent dermatosis marked by itchy, scaly, red plaques covered by silvery gray scales.
scabies: A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus.
scleroderma: A chronic progressive disease of the skin with hardening and shrinking of connective tissue.
systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE): Chronic inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, of joints, and of internal organs.
tines: Infection of the skin caused by a fungus.
vitiligo: Loss of pigment (depigmentation) in areas of the skin (milk-white patches). Also known as leukoderma.
Integumentary System - Skin Neoplasms
callus: Increased growth of cells in the keratin layer of the epidermis caused by pressure or friction.
keloid: Hypertrophied, thickened scar that occurs after trauma or surgical incision.
keratosis: Thickened area of the epidermis.
leukoplakia: White, thickened patches on mucous membrane tissue of the tongue or cheek.
nevus (plural - nevi): Pigmented lesion of the skin.
verruca: Epidermal growth caused by a virus(wart).
Integumentary System - Cancerous Lesions
basal cell carcinoma: Malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis.
Kaposi sarcoma: Malignant, vascular, neoplastic growth characterized by cutaneous nodules. Frequently on the lower extremities.
malignant melanoma: Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes.
squamous cell carcinoma: Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis.
Integumentary System - Clinical Procedures
cryosurgery: Use of subfreezing temperature via liquid nitrogen application to destroy tissue.
curettage: Use of sharp dermal curet (curette) to scrape away a skin lesion.
electrodesiccation: Tissue is destroyed by burning with an electric spark.
Mohs surgery: Thin layers of malignant growth are removed, and each is examined under a microscope.
skin biopsy: Suspected malignant skin lesions are removed and sent to the pathology laboratory for microscopic examination.
skin test: The reaction of the body to a substance by observing the results of injecting the substance intradermally or applying it topically to the skin.
Integumentary System - Abbreviations
ABCD - asymmetry, border, color, diameter; characteristics associated with skin cancer.
bx - biopsy.
Derm. - dermatology.
DLE - discoid lupus erythematosus.
PPD - purified protein derivative; skin test for tuberculosis.
PUVA - psoralen-ultraviolet (A light therapy).
SLE - systemic lupus erythematosus
subcut - subcutaneous.