E3 Vocabulary (Physiology and Histology of the Skin)

Question 1

Coiled structures attached to hair follicles found in the underarm and genital areas that
secrete sweat.

Answer 1

apocrine glands

Question 2

Small, involuntary muscles in the base of the hair follicle that cause goose flesh when the
appendage contracts, sometimes called goose bumps and papillae.

Answer 2

arrector pili muscle

Question 3

Protective barrier of the epidermis; the corneum and intercellular matrix protect the surface
from irritation and dehydration.

Answer 3

barrier function

Question 4

Glycolipid materials that are a natural part of skin’s intercellular matrix and barrier function.

Answer 4

Ceramides

Question 5

Fibrous, connective tissue made from protein; found in the reticular layer of the dermis; gives skin its firmness. Topically, a large, long-chain molecular protein that lies on the top of the skin and binds water; derived from the placentas of cows or other sources.

Answer 5

collagen

Question 6

redness; capillaries that have been damaged and are now larger or distended blood vessels; commonly seen with telangiectasia.

Answer 6

couperose

Question 7

Hardened, waterproof, protective keratinocytes; these “dead” protein cells are dried out and
lack nuclei.

Answer 7

corneocytes

Question 8

Membranes of ridges and grooves that attach to the epidermis; contains nerve endings and supplies nourishment through capillaries to skin and follicles.

Answer 8

dermal papillae

Question 9

Also known as the derma, corium, cutis, or true skin; support layer of connective tissue, collagen, and elastin below the epidermis.

Answer 9

dermis

Question 10

The structures that assist in holding cells together; intercellular connections made of proteins.

Answer 10

desmosomes

Question 11

Sweat glands found all over the body with openings on the skin’s surface through pores, not attached to hair follicles, secretions do not produce an offensive odor.

Answer 11

eccrine glands

Question 12

Protein fiber found in the dermis; gives skin its elasticity and firmness.

Answer 12

elastin

Question 13

Abbreviated EGF; stimulates cells to reproduce and heal.

Answer 13

Epidermal Growth Factor

Question 14

Outermost layer of skin; a thin, protective layer with many cells, mechanisms, and nerve
endings. It is made up of five layers: stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum,
stratum spinosum, and stratum germinativum.

Answer 14

epidermis

Question 15

A type of melanin that is dark brown to black in color. People with dark-colored skin mostly
produce eumelanin. There are two types of melanin; the other type is pheomelanin.

Answer 15

eumelanin

Question 16

Cells that stimulate cells, collagen, and amino acids that form proteins.

Answer 16

fibroblasts

Question 17

Hair and sebaceous; tube-like openings in the epidermis.

Answer 17

follicles

Question 18

Caused by an elevation in blood sugar, glycation is the binding of a protein molecule to a
glucose molecule resulting in the formation of damaged, nonfunctioning structures, known
as Advanced Glycation End products( a.k.a. AGES). Glycation alters protein structures and
decreases biological activity.

Answer 18

glycation

Question 19

Large protein molecules and water binding substances found between the fibers of the dermis; polysaccaride proteins and sugar complexes; work to maintain and support collagen and elastin in the cellular spaces, keeping protein fibers in balance.

Answer 19

glycosaminoglycans

Question 20

Cone-shaped elevations at the base of the follicle that fit into the hair bulb. The papillae are
filled with tissue that contains the blood vessels and cells necessary for hair growth and
follicle nourishment.

Answer 20

hair papillae

Question 21

Hydrating fluids found in the skin; hydrophilic agent with water-binding properties.

Answer 21

hyaluronic acid

Question 22

film is an oil-water balance that protects the skin’s surface.

Answer 22

hydrolipidic

Question 23

Lipid substances between corneum Cells that protect the cells from water loss and irritation.

Answer 23

intercellular matrix

Question 24

Fiberous protein of cells that is also the principal component of skin, hair, and nails; provides
resiliency and protection.

Answer 24

Keratin

Question 25

Epidermal cells composed of keratin, lipids, and other proteins.

Answer 25

keratinocytes

Question 26

Guard cells of the immune system that sense unrecognized foreign invaders, such as bacteria, and then process these antigens for removal through the lymph system.

Answer 26

Langerhans Immune Cells

Question 27

Organelles secreted from keratinocytes resulting in the formation of an impermeable, lipid containing membrane that serves as a water barrier and required for correct skin barrier function. These bodies release components that are required for skin shedding in the stratum corneum

Answer 27

lamellar granules

Question 28

another term for skin shedding

Answer 28

desquamation

Question 29

White blood cells that have enzymes to digest and kill bacteria and parasites. These white blood cells also respond to allergies.

Answer 29

leukocytes

Question 30

Located in the dermis, these supply nourishment within the skin and remove waste.

Answer 30

lymph vessels

Question 31

Tiny grains of pigment (coloring matter) that are produced by melanocytes and deposited into cells in the stratum germinativum layer of the epidermis and in the papillary layers of the dermis.It is a protein that determines hair, eye, and skin color; a defense mechanism to protect skin from the sun.

Answer 31

melanin

Question 32

Cells that produce skin pigment granules in the basal layer.

Answer 32

melaninocytes

Question 33

Pigment carrying granules that produce melanin, a complex protein.

Answer 33

melaninosomes

Question 34

Top layer of the dermis next to the epidermis.

Answer 34

dermis

Question 35

A type of melanin that is red and yellow in color. People with light-colored skin mostly produce pheomelanin. There are two types of melanin; the other is eumelanin.

Answer 35

pheomelanin

Question 36

tube-like opening for sweat glands on the epidermis.

Answer 36

pores

Question 37

Deeper layer of the dermis that supplies the skin with oxygen and nutrients; contains fat cells, blood vessels, sudoriferous (sweat) glands, hair follicles, lymph vessels, arrector pili muscles, sebaceous (oil) glands, and nerve endings.

Answer 37

reticular layer

Question 38

Chronic condition that appears primarily on the cheeks and nose and is characterized by flushing (redness), telangiectasis (distended or dilated surface blood vessels), and, in some cases, the formation of papules and pustules.

Answer 38

rosacea

Question 39

Also known as oil glands; protect the surface of the skin. Appendages connected to follicles.

Answer 39

Sebaceous glands

Question 40

Oil that provides protection for the epidermis from external factors and lubricates both the skin and hair.

Answer 40

sebum

Question 41

also known as horny layer; outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of corneocytes.

Answer 41

stratum corneum

Question 42

Also known as basal cell layer; active layer of the epidermis above the papillary layer of the dermis; cell mitosis takes place here that produces new epidermal skin cells and is responsible for growth.

Answer 42

stratum germanativum

Question 43

Also known as granular layer; layer of the epidermis composed of cells filled with keratin that resemble granules; replaces cells shed from the stratum corneum.

Answer 43

stratum granulosum

Question 44

Clear, transparent layer of the epidermis under the stratum corneum; thickest on the palms of hands and soles of feet.

Answer 44

stratum lucidum

Question 45

Also known as spiny layer; layer of the epidermis above the stratum germinativum (basal) layer containing desmosomes, the intercellular connections made of proteins.

Answer 45

stratum spinosum

Question 46

Also known as hypodermis; subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue located beneath the dermis; a protective cushion and energy storage for the body.

Answer 46

subcutaneous layer

Question 47

also known as adipose tissue; fatty tissue found below the dermis that gives smoothness and contour to the body, contains fat for use as energy, and also acts as a protective cushion for the outer skin.

Answer 47

subcutis tissue

Question 48

also known as sweat glands; excrete perspiration, regulate body temperature, and detoxify the body by excreting excess salt and unwanted chemical

Answer 48

sudoriferous glands

Question 49

Identify molecules that have foreign peptides and also help regulate immune response.

Answer 49

t cells

Question 50

Capillaries that have been damaged and are now larger, or distended, blood vessels; commonly called couperose skin.

Answer 50

telangiectasia

Question 51

Abbreviated TEWL; water loss caused by evaporation on the skin’s surface.

Answer 51

transepidermal water loss

Question 52

the enzyme that stimulates melanocytes and thus produces melanin.

Answer 52

tyrosinase

Question 53

light emitted from electronic devices, reported to penetrate the skin more deeply than UV rays, damages collagen, hyaluronic acid and elastin

Answer 53

high energy visible light.

Question 54

Also known as aging rays; longer wavelengths ranging between 320 to 400 nanometers that penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB; cause genetic damage and cell death. UVA contributes up to 95 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.

Answer 54

UVA radiation

Question 55

Also known as burning rays; UVB wavelengths range between 290 to 320 nanometers. UVB rays have shorter, burning wavelengths that are stronger and more damaging than UVA rays. UVB causes burning of the skin as well as tanning, skin aging, and cancer.

Answer 55

UVB radiation

Question 56

When a molecule loses an electron, it results in:

Answer 56

free radicals