Ch. 7.3 Integumentary System Key Terms
what is albino
A person with an absence of color pigments, resulting in a pinkish tint to the skin, pale yellow or white hair, and eyes that lack pigment and are red and very sensitive to light.
what is alopecia
Baldness, which is a loss of hair on the scalp.
what is constrict
To get smaller. This occurs when blood vessels get smaller to retain heat in the body.
what is crusts
Areas of dried pus and blood, commonly called scabs.
what is cyanosis
A bluish discoloration of the skin caused by insufficient oxygen. It can be associated with heart, lung, and circulatory diseases or disorders.
what is a cyst
A closed sac with a distinct membrane that develops abnormally in a body structure; it is usually filled with a semisolid material.
what is dermis
Also called corium, or "true skin". This layer has a framework of elastic connective tissue and contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, involuntary muscle, sweat and oil glands, and hair follicles.
what is dilate
To get larger. This occurs when blood vessels get larger, allowing excess heat from the blood to escape through the skin.
what is epidermis
The outermost layer of skin. This layer is made of five smaller layers but has no blood vessels or nerve cells.
what is erythema
A reddish color of the skin that can be caused by either burns or a congestion of blood in the vessels.
what is hypodermis
The innermost layer of skin , which is also called the subcutaneous fascia. It connects the skin to underlying muscles and is made of elastic and fibrous connective tissue and adipose (fatty) tissue.
what is integumentary system
The skin.
what is jaundice
A yellow discoloration of the skin , which can indicate bile in the blood as a result of liver or gallbladder disease. It also occurs in conjunction with certain diseases that involve the destruction of red blood cells.
what is macules
(macular rash) flat spots on the skin, such as freckles.
what is melanin
A brownish black pigment that is produced in the epidermis by specialized cells called melanocytes.
what are papules
(papular rash) firm, raised areas such as pimples and the eruptions seen in some stages of chickenpox and syphilis.
what are pustules
Pus-filled sacs such as those seen in acne, or pimples.
what are sebaceous glands
Oil glands that usually open onto hair follicles and produce sebum, an oil that keeps the skin and hair from becoming dry and brittle.
what is subcutaneous
Referring to the subcutaneous fascia (or hypodermis), which is the innermost layer of the skin.
what are sudoriferous glands
Sweat glands. They are coiled tubes that extend through the dermis and open on the surface of the skin at pores.
what are ulcers
A deep loss of skin surface that may extend into the dermis; it may cause periodic bleeding and the formation of scars.
what are vesicles
Blisters, or fluid-filled sacs, such as those seen in chickenpox.
what are wheals
Itchy, elevated areas with an irregular shape; examples include hives and insect bites.