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BodySys1 - Integumen
Medical Terminology
Term | Definition |
---|---|
integumentary system | system of the body that consists of the skin and skin components such as nails and hair |
cells | basic structural and functional units of life in the human body |
tissue | group of many cells performing the same function |
organs | groups of tissue that carry out important functions in the body |
blood vessels | tubes that carry blood and nutrients throughout the body |
immune cells | maintain the body’s defense against foreign and infectious material |
liquid | drug that has no solid shape |
Langerhans cells | specialized cells that are vital to immune response |
nerve cells | responsible for sensing external changes in the environment, such as temperature changes |
fat cells | responsible for storing fats in the body |
blood cells | contribute to the formation of blood, including red and white blood cells |
keratin | type of protein used by the body to form tough tissues such as skin |
keratinocytes | specialized skin cells that produce keratin |
collagen | protein found in the skin that provides firmness and strength |
elastin | protein found in the skin that provides elasticity |
elasticity | ability of the skin to stretch, expand, and restore its shape |
melanocytes | specialized skin cells that produce melanin |
melanin | pigment that gives skin its color |
freckles | small light or medium brown spots on the skin that show up when melanin is not evenly distributed |
moles | slightly raised blemishes that occur when there are large clusters of melanocytes |
epidermis | outermost layer of skin that also contains nails and hair |
dermis | middle layer of skin; often called the dermal layer |
hypodermis | innermost layer of skin; often called the hypodermal layer |
stratum corneum | layer of dead cells that forms the outermost layer of epidermis |
stratum lucidum | clear layer of dead cells only found in the epidermis of the palms of the hands and feet |
stratum granulosum | deep epidermal layer of skin that accumulates keratin |
stratum spinosum | deep epidermal layer of skin that produces keratin |
stratum basale | deepest epidermal layer, which contains melanocytes, immune cells, and touch receptors |
bacteria | single-celled organisms that may be harmful or helpful in the body |
skin microbiome | harmless bacteria that live on the surface of the skin and may provide health benefits |
sweat glands | structures in the skin that release sweat |
cholesterol | waxy substance needed for hormone production and for growing cells |
hormones | chemicals produced by cells that serve as messages, affecting the function of other cells |
vitamins | compounds essential for human growth |
homeostasis | process of maintaining a stable physiologic environment, such as temperature |
homeostatic imbalance | failure to maintain a stable internal environment |
pH | a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is |
infection | presence and multiplication of harmful foreign microorganisms, or pathogens, in the body |
warts | irregular skin growths that are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) |
thermoregulation | process of achieving a normal and stable body temperature |
hyperthermia | condition in which the body becomes overheated |
hypothermia | condition in which the body temperature drops to dangerously low levels |
vasodilation | the enlarging of blood vessels to increase internal heat loss, thereby cooling the body |
vasoconstriction | the process of constricting, or reducing the size of, the blood vessels to heat the body |