Integumentary System

If you would like to review the textbook chapter content, please visit Chapter 3: Integumentary System [New Tab].

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the anatomy and describe the main functions of the integumentary system and accessory structures
  • Analyze, translate, and define medical terms and common abbreviations of the integumentary system
  • Practice the spelling and pronunciation of integumentary system medical terminology
  • Identify the medical specialties associated with the integumentary system and explore common diseases, disorders, diagnostic tests and procedures

Key Word Components

Identify meanings of key word components of the integumentary system:

Prefixes

  • a-  (absence of, meaning)
  • bi-  (two or both)
  • dia- (through, complete)
  • dys- (difficult, painful, abnormal, labored)
  • epi- (upon, on, over)
  • hyper- (above, excessive)
  • hypo- (deficient, below, under, incomplete)
  • intra- (within, in)
  • meta- (change, beyond, after)
  • neo- (new)
  • para- (beside, around, beyond, abnormal)
  • per- (through)
  • pro- (before)
  • sub- (under, below)
  • trans- (through, across, beyond)
  • uni- (one)

Combining Forms

  • aden/o (gland)
  • adip/o (fat)
  • albin/o (white)
  • aut/o (self)
  • bi/o (life)
  • coni/o (dust)
  • cry/o (cold)
  • crypt/o (hidden)
  • cutane/o (skin)
  • cyan/o (blue)
  • derm/o (skin)
  • dermat/o (skin)
  • erythr/o (red)
  • erythemat/o (redness)
  • fibr/o (fibrous tissues)
  • heter/o (other)
  • hidr/o (sweat)
  • kerat/o (hard, horny tissue, keratin)
  • lei/o (smooth)
  • leuk/o (white)
  • lip/o, lipid/o (fat)
  • melan/o (black)
  • myc/o (fungus)
  • necr/o (death)
  • onych/o (nail)
  • pachy/o (thick)
  • pil/o (hair)
  • py/o (pus)
  • rhytid/o (wrinkles)
  • sclera/o (hardening)
  • seb/o (sebum)
  • staphyl/o (grapelike clusters)
  • steat/o (fat, sebum)
  • strept/o (twisted chains)
  • ungu/o (nail)
  • xanth/o (yellow)
  • xer/o (dryness, dry)

Suffixes

  • -a (no meaning, noun ending)
  • -al (pertaining to)
  • -ad (toward)
  • -coccus (berry-shaped)
  • -cyte (cell)
  • -ectomy (excision)
  • -gen (substance that produces/causes, agent that produces/causes)
  • -genic (producing, originating, causing)
  • -ia (condition of, diseased state, abnormal state)
  • -ic (pertaining to)
  • -itis (inflammation)
  • -ior (pertaining to)
  • -logy (study of)
  • -logist (specialist who studies and treats)
  • -malacia (softening)
  • -megaly (enlarged, enlargement)
  • -oid (resembling)
  • -oma (tumor, swelling)
  • -opsy (view of, process of viewing, viewing)
  • -orrhea (flow, excessive discharge)
  • -osis (abnormal condition, increased numbers relating to blood)
  • -ous (pertaining to)
  • -pathy (disease)
  • -phagia (eating, swallowing)
  • -plasia (development, growth, condition of formation)
  • -plasm (growth, substance, formation)
  • -plasty (surgical repair)
  • -rrhea (flow, discharge)
  • -sis (state of)
  • -stasis (stop, controlling, standing)
  • -tome (instrument used to cut)

Integumentary System Words

Integumentary Medical Terms (Text version)
  1. biopsy (bx)
    • BĪ-op-sē
    • view of life (removal of living tissue to be viewed under a microscope)
  2. dermatitis
    • dĕr-mă-TĪT-ĭs
    • inflammation of the skin
  3. dermatoautoplasty
    • dĕr-mă-tō-AW-tō-plăs-tē
    • surgical repair using one’s own skin
  4. dermatoconiosis
    • dĕr-mă-tō-kō-nē-Ō-sĭs
    • abnormal condition of the skin caused by dust
  5. dermatofibroma
    • dĕr-mă-tō-fī-BRŌ-mă
    • fibrous tumour of the skin
  6. dermatoheteroplasty
    • dĕr-mă-tō-HĔT-ĕr-ō-plăs-tē
    • surgical repair using skin from others
  7. dermatologist
    • dĕr-mă-TŎL-ō-jĭst
    • Physician who specializes in treating diseases and disorders of the skin
  8. dermatology (derm)
    • dĕr-mă-TŎL-ō-jē
    • study of the skin
  9. dermatome
    • DĔR-mă-tōm
    • instrument used to cut skin
  10. dermatoplasty
    • DĔR-măt-ō-plas-tē
    • get meaning
  11. epidermal
    • ĕp-ĭ-DĔR-mal
    • pertaining to upon/on the skin
  12. erythroderma
    • ĕ-rith-rŏ-DĔR-mă
    • red skin
  13. hidradenitis
    • hi-dra-ĕn-ĪT-ĭs
    • inflammation of a sweat gland
  14. hypodermic
    • hī-pō-DĔR-mĭk
    • pertaining to below the skin
  15. intradermal (ID)
    • in-tră-DĔR-măl
    • pertaining to within the skin
  16. keratogenic
    • kĕr-ă-TŎJ-ĕ-nŭk
    • agent that causes growth of horny tissue
  17. keratosis
    • ker-ă-TŌ-sĭs
    • abnormal condition of growth of horny tissue
  18. leiodermia
    • lī-ō-DĔR-mē-ă
    • condition of smooth skin
  19. leukoderma
    • loo-kŏ-DĔR-mă
    • white patches caused by depigmentation
  20. necrosis
    • nĕ-KRŌ-sĭs
    • condition of death
  21. onychocryptosis
    • ŏn-ĭ-kō-krip-TŌ-sis
    • abnormal condition of a hidden nail
  22. onychomalacia
    • ŏn-ĭ-kō-mă-LĀ-shă
    • softening of the nails
  23. onychomycosis
    • on-i-kō-mī-KŌ-sĭs
    • abnormal condition of a fungus in the nails
  24. onychophagia
    • ŏn-ĭ-KŎF-ă-jē
    • eating the nails (nail biting)
  25. pachyderma
    • pak-ē-DĔR-mă
    • thickening of the skin
  26. paronychia
    • păr-ō-NĬK-ē-ă
    • diseased state around the nail
  27. percutaneous
    • pĕr-kū-TĀ-nē-ŭs
    • pertaining to through the skin
  28. rhytidectomy
    • rit-ĭ-DEK-tŏ-mē
    • excision of the wrinkles
  29. rhytidoplasty
    • RĬT-ĭ-dō-plăs-tē
    • surgical repair of wrinkles
  30. seborrhea
      • sĕb-or-Ē-ă
    • discharge (excessive) of sebum
  31. staphylococcus (staph)
    • staf-ĭ-lō-KOK-ŭs
    • berry-shaped bacterium in grape-like clusters
  32. streptococcus (strep)
    • strep-tŏ-KOK-ŭs
    • berry-shaped bacterium in twisted chains
  33. subcutaneous (subcut, Sub-Q)
    • sŭb-kū-TĀ-nē-ŭs
    • pertaining to under the skin
  34. subungual
    • sŭb-ŬNG-gwăl
    • pertaining to under the nail
  35. transdermal (TD)
    • trănz-DĔRM-ăl
    • pertaining to through the skin
  36. ungual
    • ŬNG-gwăl
    • pertaining to the nail
  37. xeroderma
    • zer-ŏ-DĔR-mă
    • dry skin
  38. xerosis
    • zĕ-RŌ-sĭs
    • abnormal condition of dryness

Activity source: Integumentary Medical Terms from Medical Terminology by Grimm et al., licensed under CC BY 4.0. / Text version added.

Pronouncing and Defining Integumentary System Medical Terms

Integumentary Medical Terms (Text version)
  1. abscess
    • AB-ses (Original Term)
    • localized collection of pus
  2. abrasion
    • ă-BRĀ-zhŏn (Original Term)
    • scrape (by injury or mechanical process)
  3. acne
    • AK-nē
    • clogging of pores, which can lead to infection and inflammation
  4. adipocytes
    • AD-ĭ-pō-sīts
    • Fat cells
  5. adipose
    • AD-ĭ-pōs
    • Fat tissue
  6. albinism
    • AL-bĭ-nizm
    • genetic disorder that affects the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes.
  7. apocrine sweat gland
    • AP-ŏ-krĕn swet gland
    • A type of gland that is found in the skin, breast, eyelid, and ear
  8. autonomic
    • ot-ŏ-NOM-ik
    • unconsciously regulates
  9. bacteria, bacterium
    • bak-TĒR-ē, bak-TĒR-ē-ŭm (Original Term)
    • single-celled microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and may cause infection by invading body tissue
  10. basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
    • BĀ-săl sel kar-sĭn-Ō-ma
    • form of cancer that affects the mitotically active stem cells in the stratum basale of the epidermis
  11. benign
    • bē-NĪN
    • Noncancerous, harmless
  12. cancer
    • KAN-sĕr
    • A process where abnormal cells in the body divide uncontrollably
  13. cauterize, cauterization
    • KAW-tĕr-īz (Original Term)
    • to burn tissues by various means with the intent destroy damaged tissues, prevent infections or coagulate blood vessels
  14. cellulitis
    • sel-yŭ-LĪT-ĭs (Original Term)
    • bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by redness, pain, heat and swelling
  15. contusion
    • kŏn-TOO-zhŏn (Original Term)
    • bruise
  16. cyanosis
    • sī-ă-NŌ-sĭs
    • Abnormal condition of blue (bluish colour, lips and nail beds). Typically caused by low oxygenation
  17. cyst
    • sist (Original Term)
    • closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material
  18. debride, debridement
    • di-BRĒD, di-BRĒD-mĕnt (Original Term)
    • remove damaged tissues and cell debris from a wound or burn to prevent infection and promote healing.
  19. dehydration
    • dē-hī-DRĀ-shŏn
    • Loss of fluids/water is greater than what is taken in.
  20. dendritic cells
    • den-DRIT-ik
    • pertaining to dendrites
  21. dermabrasion
    • DĔRM-ă-brā-zhŏn (Original Term)
    • procedure to remove superficial scars using sandpaper or revolving wire brushes.
  22. diaphoresis
    • dī-ă-fŏ-RĒ-sĭs (Original Term)
    • condition of profuse, excessive sweating
  23. eccrine sweat gland
    • ĔK-rĭn swet gland
    • type of gland that produces a hypotonic sweat for thermoregulation
  24. eczema
    • eg-ZĒ-mă (Original Term)
    • noninfectious, inflammatory disease presents as redness, blisters, scabs and itching
  25. edema
    • ĕ-DĒ-mă (Original Term)
    • puffy swollen tissue due to accumulation of fluid
  26. excise, excision
    • ĕk-SĪZ, ek-SIZH-ŏn (Original Term)
    • surgical removal by cutting out
  27. fascia
    • FASH-ē-ă
    • Fibrous tissue
  28. frostbite
    • FROST-bīt
    • Conservation of core body heat results in the skin actually freezing
  29. gangrene
    • GANG-grēn (Original Term)
    • death of tissue due to blood supply loss
  30. incise, incision
    • in-SĪZ, in-SIZH-ŏn (Original Term)
    • surgical cut into or wound produced by a sharp instrument
  31. incision and drainage (I&D)
    • in-SIZH-ŏn & DRĀN-ăj
    • surgical cut made to allow the free flow of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity
  32. infection
    • in-FEK-shŏn (Original Term)
    • invasion of pathogens to body tissue
  33. jaundice, jaundiced
    • JON-dĭs, JON-dĭsd (Original Term)
    • yellow colouring of the mucous membranes and sclera
  34. keloid
    • (KĒ-loyd)
    • Formation of a raised or hypertrophic scar
  35. keratin
    • (KER-ăt-ĭn)
    • intracellular fibrous protein that gives hair, nails, and skin their hardness and water-resistant properties
  36. keratinocyte
    • kĕ-RĂT-ĭ-nō-sīt
    • Cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin
  37. laceration
    • las-ĕ-RĀ-shŏn (Original Term)
    • torn, ragged-edged wound
  38. laser surgery
    • LĀ-zĕr SŬRJ-ĕ-rē
    • A surgical procedure using a powerful beam of light to cut or burn tissue.
  39. Lesion
    • lĒ-zhŏn (Original Term)
    • visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease
  40. leukoplakia
    • loo-kō-PLĀ-kē-ă
    • white, thickened patches on mucus membrane tissue of the tongue or cheek
  41. macule
    • MAK-ūl (Original Term)
    • flat, coloured spot on the skin
  42. Meissner corpuscle
    • MĪS-nĕr KOR-pŭs-ĕl
    • Tactile corpuscle that responds to light and touch, touch receptor
  43. melanoma
    • mel-ă-NŌ-mă
    • cancer characterized by uncontrolled growth of melanocytes
  44. metastasize
    • mĕ-TĂS-tă-sīz
    • Production of cells that can mobilize and establish tumors in other organs of the body
  45. nevus
    • NĒ-vŭs (Original Term)
    • a pigmented skin blemish
  46. nodule
    • NOJ-ool (Original Term)
    • a small node-like structure
  47. Pacinian corpuscle
    • pă-SIN-ē-ăn KOR-pŭs-ĕl
    • Lamellated corpuscle that responds to vibration
  48. pallor
    • PĂL-or (Original Term)
    • paleness
  49. pathogens
    • path-Ŏ-jĕns
    • Disease-causing agents
  50. phagocytes
    • făg-ō-SĬTS
    • Cells that engulf and absorb bacteria and cell particles
  51. pruritus
    • proo-RĪT-ŭs (Original Term)
    • itching
  52. psoriasis
    • sŏ-RĪ-ă-sĭs
    • chronic autoimmune disorder that results in patches of thick red skin with the appearance of silvery scales
  53. pustule
    • PŬS-tūl (Original Term)
    • small elevation of the skin containing fluid
  54. reticulated
    • rĕ-TIK-yŭ-lāt-ĕd
    • constructed, arranged, or marked like a net or network.
  55. rickets
    • RIK-ĕts
    • A painful condition in children where bones are misshapen due to a lack of calcium, causing bow leggedness
  56. scar
    • skăr
    • Collagen-rich skin formed after the process of wound healing that differs from normal skin. Also known as a cicatrix.
  57. sebaceous gland
    • sē-BĀ-shŭs gland
    • type of oil gland that is found all over the body and helps to lubricate and waterproof the skin and hair.
  58. squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
    • SKWĀ-mŭs sel kar-sĭn-Ō-mă
    • cancer that affects the keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum and presents as lesions commonly found on the scalp, ears, and hands
  59. stratum basale
    • STRĀ-tŭm BĀS-al
    • Deepest layer of the epidermal
  60. suture
    • SOO-chŭr
    • to stitch the edges of a wound
  61. sympathetic
    • sĭm-pă-THĔT-ĭk
    • Flight or fight response
  62. Sympathetic Nervous System
    • sĭm-pă-THĔT-ĭk NĔR-vŭs SIS-tĕm
    • Responsible for fight or flight responses
  63. tinea
    • TIN-ē-ă (Original Term)
    • A group of fungal skin diseases, charachterized by itching, scaling, and sometimes painful lesions.
  64. vascularized
    • VAS-kyŭ-lă-rīzd
    • Has numerous blood vessels
  65. verruca
    • vĕr-ROO-kă
    • Also known as a wart. An epidermal growth caused by a virus.
  66. virus
    • VĪ-rŭs (Original Term)
    • minute microorganism that may cuase infection by invading body tissue

Activity Source: Integumentary Medical Terms from Medical Terminology by Grimm et al., licensed under CC BY 4.0. /Re-recording of some H5P audio by Tania Deane and David McCuaig and text version added.

Pronouncing and Defining Commonly Abbreviated Integumentary System Terms

Practice pronouncing and defining these commonly abbreviated integumentary system terms:

  • BCC (basal cell carcinoma)
  • bx (biopsy)
  • CA-MRSA (community-associated MRSA)
  • derm (dermatology)
  • HA-MRSA (healthcare-associated MRSA)
  • I&D (incision and drainage)
  • ID (intradermal)
  • MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus)
  • SCC (squamous cell carcinoma)
  • SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
  • staph (staphylococcus)
  • strep (streptococcus)
  • subcut, Sub-Q (subcutaneous)
  • TD (transdermal)

Sorting Terms

Sort the terms from the word lists above into the following categories:

  • Disease and Disorder (terms describing any deviation from normal structure and function)
  • Diagnostic (terms related to process of identifying a disease, condition, or injury from its signs and symptoms)
  • Therapeutic (terms related to treatment or curing of diseases)
  • Anatomic (terms related to body structure)

Layers of the Skin

Practice labeling the layers of the skin:

Layers of the Skin (Text Version)
  1. Hair Root
  2. Hair Follicle
  3. Eccrine Sweat Gland
  4. Hair shaft
  5. Adipose tissue
  6. Hypodermis
  7. Hair follicle
  8. dermis
  9. epidermis
  10. arrector pili muscle
  11. pore of sweat gland
  12. sensory nerve fiber
  13. sebaceous/oil gland

Skin structure illustration showing the main layers consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue layers. Additional accessory structures of the skin is shown. Lines are extending from structures to identify the location.

Layers of the Skin Diagram (Text Version)

This illustration shows a cross section of skin tissue. The outermost layer is called the _______[Blank 1] and occupies one fifth of the cross section. Several hairs are emerging from the surface. The epidermis dives around one of the hairs, forming a ________[Blank 2]. The ________[Blank 3] is located above the hair follicle. Surrounding the base of the hair follicle is the ________[Blank 4] which lubricates the _________ [Blank 5]. Extending the surface of the skin is the ___________[Blank 6]. The middle layer is called the _________[Blank 7], which occupies four fifths of the cross section. The dermis contains an __________[Blank 8] that causes contraction of the hair follicle making the hair stand on end such as when someone experiences goosebumps. The dermis also contains an __________[Blank 9], composed of a bunch of tubules. One tubule travels up from the bunch, through the epidermis, opening onto the surface a __________[Blank 10]. There are two string-like nerves travelling vertically through the dermis. The right nerve is attached to a Pacinian corpuscle, which is a yellow structure consisting of concentric ovals like an onion. The lowest level of the skin, the _________[Blank 11], contains __________[Blank 12], arteries, and veins. Blood vessels travel from the hypodermis and connect to hair follicles and erector pili muscle in the dermis. ____________[Blank 13] located in the hypodermis supports the interpretation of touch.

Check your answers: [1]
 Activity source: Layers of the Skin by Kimberlee Carter from Building a Medical Terminology Foundation, illustration from Anatomy and Physiology (OpenStax), licensed under CC BY 4.0./ Text version added.

Medical Terms in Context

Place the following medical terms in context to complete the scenario below:

Consultation Report (Text Version)

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM – CONSULTATION REPORT

Fill in the consultation report with using the following words:

  • Excisional
  • Lesion
  • Asymmetrical
  • Mole
  • Benign
  • Biopsy
  • Irregular

PATIENT NAME: Rosemary COOMBS

AGE: 54

Sex: Female

DOB: December 2

DATE OF CONSULTATION: May 29

REQUESTING PHYSICIAN: Trevor Sharpe, MD, Family Medicine

CONSULTING PHYSICIAN: Donna Brown, MD, Dermatology

HISTORY: This 54-year-old white female, went to her family doctor a year ago when she noticed a dark brown spot on her neck. The spot was a six cm, dark brown, flat ______[Blank 1]  with smooth borders that appeared _____[Blank 2] . Ms. Coombs recently went to Dr. Sharpe for a physical and the _____[Blank 3]  was examined, it was suggested that Ms. Coombs see me.

PAST HISTORY: No known history of any skin disorders.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: Normal except for the lesion on her chest which has grown to 1.3 cm in diameter and ______[Blank 4] in shape. It is mainly dark brown, with regions of darker black. The borders are  ______[Blank 5] in outline. There is some blackened areas that are slightly elevated.

PLAN: I have booked a follow up appointment for next week to do an _____[Blank 6] biopsy. I will then send the specimen for a _____[Blank 7]. Another follow up appointment will be made once I receive the results of the biopsy.

____________________________
Donna Brown, MD, Dermatology

Note: Report samples (H5P and Pressbooks) are to encourage learners to identify correct medical terminology and do not represent the Association for Health Documentation Integrity (AHDI) formatting standards.

Check your answers: [2]

Activity source: Integumentary system – consultation report by Heather Scudder, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.

Fill in the Blanks

Practice filling in the blanks with the correct word parts.

Medical Terminology (Text version)

Fill in the spaces below with the following terms:

  • Xero
  • o
  • hidr
  • rhytid
  • ous
  • genic
  • logist
  • o
  • ectomy
  • derma
  • cutane
  • itis
  • ous
  • o
  • al
  • necr
  • o
  • o
  • plasty
  • sis
  • phagia
  • tone
  • trans
  • sub
  • cutane
  • dermat
  • derma
  • kerat
  • aden
  • auto
  • derm
  • per
  • onych
  • dermat

____[Blank 1a] / ____ [Blank 2a]/ ____[Blank 3a] / ____[Blank 4a] refers to the surgical repair of one’s own skin.

Something that generates the production of epidermal tissues might be called ____[Blank 2a] / ____[Blank 2b] /____[Blank 2b].

____[Blank 3a] / ____[Blank 3b] / ____[Blank 3c] refers to something in  state of death.

____[Blank 4a] /____[Blank 4b] /____[Blank 4c] is a technical name for finger-biting.

____[Blank 5a] / ____[Blank 5b] / ____[Blank 5c] means pertaining to through the skin.

____[Blank 6a] / ____[Blank 6b] / ____[Blank 6c] injection is given under the skin.

During the winter months many people complain of  ____[Blank 7a] / ____[Blank 7b] and use extra lotion.

A patch filled with medication, applied to the skin so that medication goes through the skin is referred to as a  ____[Blank  8a] / ____[Blank 8b] / ____[Blank 8c] patch.

An instrument use to cut the skin for biopsy is referred to as a  ____[Blank 9a] / ____[Blank 9b].

A specialist who studies and treats disorders and diseases of the skin is referred to as a  ____[Blank 10a] / ____[Blank 10b] / ____[Blank 10b]/

The medical term that means a sweat gland is inflamed is ____[Blank 11a] / ____[Blank 11b] / ____[Blank 11c].

The medical term to excise wrinkles or commonly referred to as a facelift is ____[Blank 12a] / ____[Blank 12b].

Check your answers: [3]

Activity source: Integumentary Medical Terms by Jesslyn Wilkinson, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.

Test Your Knowledge

Test your knowledge by answering the questions below:

Integumentary System Glossary Reinforcement Activity (Text version)
  1. Cells that manufacture and store the protein keratin are called ______[Blank 1].
    1. Scar
    2. Vascularized
    3. Keratinocytes
  2. The outer layer of skin, made of closely packed epithelial cells are called____[Blank 2].
    1. Fascia
    2. Adipocytes
    3. Epidermis
  3. Specialized cells that produce melanin which is a dark pigment responsible for the colouration of skin and hair are called____[Blank 3].
    1. Necrosis
    2. Melanocytes
    3. Keloid
  4. Deepest layer of the epidermal is the _____[Blank 4].
    1. Dermis
    2. Fascia
    3. Stratum Basale
  5. Production of cells that can mobilize and establish tumors in other organs of the body are called _____[Blank 5].
    1. Pathogens
    2. Debridement
    3. Metastasize

Check your answers: [4]

Activity source: Integumentary System Glossary Reinforcement Activity by Gisele Tuzon and Kimberlee Carter, licensed under CC BY 4.0./Text version added.

Downloadable Worksheets

View or download & print the PDF or Word format worksheets below

Worksheet – Integumentary System – Chapter 3 [Word]

3. Integumentary – Scenario [Word]

3. Integumentary – Abbreviations [Word]

3. Integumentary – Definitions Using Word Parts [Word]

Attribution

Except where otherwise noted, this book is adapted from Medical Terminology by Grimm et al. (2022), Nicolet College, CC BY 4.0 International. / A derivative of Building a Medical Terminology Foundation by Carter & Rutherford (2020), and Anatomy and Physiology by Betts, et al., CC BY 4.0, which can be accessed for free at OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology.

  1. Skin structure illustration showing the main layers consisting of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue layers. Textboxes identifying the name of the structures are added to the end of lines extending from the diagram. Additional accessory structures of the skin is shown and also labelled using textboxes.
    Check your answers: Layers of the Skin Diagram (Text Version)This illustration shows a cross section of skin tissue. The outermost layer is called the epidermis and occupies one fifth of the cross section. Several hairs are emerging from the surface. The epidermis dives around one of the hairs, forming a hair follicle. The hair root is located above the hair follicle. Surrounding the base of the hair follicle is the sebaceous/oil gland which lubricates the hair follicle. Extending the surface of the skin is the hair shaft. The middle layer is called the dermis, which occupies four fifths of the cross section. The dermis contains an arrector pili muscle that causes contraction of the hair follicle making the hair stand on end such as when someone experiences goosebumps. The dermis also contains an eccrine sweat gland, composed of a bunch of tubules. One tubule travels up from the bunch, through the epidermis, opening onto the surface a pore of sweat gland. There are two string-like nerves travelling vertically through the dermis. The right nerve is attached to a Pacinian corpuscle, which is a yellow structure consisting of concentric ovals like an onion. The lowest level of the skin, the hypodermis, contains adipose tissue, arteries, and veins. Blood vessels travel from the hypodermis and connect to hair follicles and erector pili muscle in the dermis. Sensory nerve fibers located in the hypodermis supports the interpretation of touch.
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  2. 1. Mole, 2. Benign, 3. Lesion, 4. Asymmetrical, 5. Irregular, 6. Excisional, 7. Biopsy ↵
  3. 1. Dermat /o /auto /plasty. 2. Kerat /o /genic. 3. Necr /o /sis. 4. Onych /o /phagia. 5. Per /cutane /ous. 6. Sub /cutane /ous. 7. Xero /derma. 8. Trans /derm /al. 9. Derma /tone. 10. Dermat /o /logist. 11. Hidr /aden /itis. 12. Rhytid /ectomy. ↵
  4. 1. Keratinocytes, 2. Epidermis, 3. Melanocytes, 4. Stratum Basale, 5. Metastasize ↵

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Building a Medical Terminology 2e - Student Companion Workbook Copyright © 2024 by Kimberlee Carter; Marie Rutherford; and Connie Stevens is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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