Ch 22: Terminology for the Integumentary System
About This Chapter
Terminology for the Integumentary System - Chapter Summary and Learning Objectives
You may not think there's much to your skin beyond what you can see outwardly, but human skin actually contains multiple layers and structures. Through the lessons in this chapter, you will find out about these components of the integumentary system in addition to exploring some of the conditions that can impact the skin, hair, and nails. In this chapter, you'll learn about:
- How the parts of the integumentary system function
- What the types of epithelial tissue are
- How the layers of the skin are structured
- What types of skin growths can develop
- What treatment methods are used to treat skin conditions
- How disorders impact the hair and nails
Video | Objective |
---|---|
What is the Function of the Integumentary System? | Discover the functions of the skin, sweat glands, hair, and nails. |
Human Skin: Layers, Function & Structure | Explore the layers of human skin and what each contain. |
What is Epithelial Tissue? - Function, Types & Structure | Find out the types of epithelial tissue and their importance in protecting the body. |
The Structure of the Skin | Learn about the components of skin, ranging from pores and follicles to adipose tissue and sweat glands. |
Pathologies Related to the Skin | Discover how acne, rosacea, eczema, and other conditions affect the skin. |
Infectious Skin Conditions | Get details on several infectious skin conditions and what causes them. |
Types of Skin Growths | Find out about cancerous and non-cancerous skin growths. |
Pathologies of the Hair | See what causes baldness and other hair conditions. |
Nail Diseases & Disorders | Learn what disorders can affect the nails and what causes them to develop. |
Diagnosing Skin Conditions | Find out the diagnostic procedures dermatologists use to assess possible skin conditions. |
Treating Skin Conditions | Explore surgical and non-surgical treatment methods for skin problems. |

1. What is the Function of the Integumentary System?
In this lesson, we'll explore the function of the different parts of the integumentary system, which protects the body. We will look at how the skin and its accessory organs work together.

2. Human Skin: Layers, Function & Structure
This lesson will cover the three main layers of your skin, which includes the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. In addition, we'll learn about other skin cells and tissue, such as adipose tissue, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Merkel's cells.

3. What Is Epithelial Tissue? - Function, Types & Structure
This lesson will cover the different shapes and structures of epithelial tissue, including simple, columnar, cuboidal, stratified, transitional, squamous, and pseudostratified columnar epithelium.

4. The Structure of the Skin
You probably don't think much about the structures found within the layers of your skin. Yet these structures make you waterproof, keep you germ-free and prevent your body from getting too hot or too cold. Learn what structures help skin do its jobs.

5. Skin Pathologies: Follicular Eruptions
There are tiny hairs that extend from your pores, and for some people there's a terrific battle being waged in these tiny trenches. Learn about acne vulgaris and acne rosacea, including the correct medical terminology used to define their symptoms.

6. Skin Pathologies: Inflammatory & Allergic Eruptions
In this lesson, discover terms used to classify inflammatory skin conditions and their symptoms, including pruritus, erythema, psoriasis, dermatitis, erythema multiforme, urticaria, scleroderma, and ichthyosis.

7. Skin Pathologies: Pigment Disorder Terms
Skin's varied coloration is one of mankind's most beautiful attributes, but conditions can arise which affect this pigmentation. Learn about pigment disorders and associated terminology in this lesson.

8. Skin Pathologies: Sweating Disorders Vocabulary
Sweating happens to everyone at one time or another. This perspiration serves a valuable purpose, but to those with sweat gland dysfunction, it can become a problem. Learn the terminology used to describe sweat gland disorders in this lesson.

9. Nomenclature of Skin Lesions: Primary Lesions
The skin is a wonderfully resilient organ, but at times it is unable to stop a growth or lesion from forming. In this lesson, discover many different types of skin lesions, their significance, and a pictorial representation for each.

10. Nomenclature of Skin Lesions: Secondary Lesions
In this lesson, explore the land of secondary skin lesions, or places where skin tissue has been injured by an outside influence. In order to help you envision this exciting dermatological terrain, terms ranging from crust to ulceration are defined, discussed, and given a descriptive picture.

11. Skin Lesion Nomenclature: Bruises, Birthmarks & Burns
In this lesson, you'll learn the terminology to describe bruises, burns, and birthmarks. We've all run into something, touched an item that was too hot, and been born, so you'll be able to relate to some, if not all, the terms we're about to cover!

12. Infectious Skin Conditions & Treatments: Medical Terms
Our skin, coupled with our immune system, provides a strong defense against germs that want to harm us. However, sometimes the germs prevail and infection sets in. In this lesson, you'll become familiar with the terminology for various infections of the skin.

13. Fungal & Yeast Skin Infections Vocabulary
Dermatophyte and yeast invasions may sound like material from a science fiction movie, but these fungi can infect the skin and cause significant problems. In this lesson, learn the terminology to describe the various skin disorders caused by fungi.

14. Parasitic Skin Infections Vocabulary
Do you ever get the feeling something is crawling on your skin? Well, there actually are bugs literally crawling on you if you have certain skin disorders! Learn the medical terminology to describe infestations with lice and scabies in this lesson.

15. Vocabulary for Types of Benign Skin Growths
The skin is an amazing organ that is constantly replenishing itself. However, in addition to manufacturing new skin cells, sometimes the body develops other growths. In this lesson, we'll explore growths which are harmless or benign in nature.

16. Terminology for Benign Nevi
Did you know the average adult has ten to forty moles? Well, it's true! In this lesson, learn the medical terminology used to describe various types of benign moles, both common and uncommon.

17. Dysplastic Nevus & Melanoma Vocabulary
Moles, on the whole, are usually harmless. However, occasionally one will become abnormal and may even evolve into the most dangerous form of skin cancer, melanoma. In this lesson, learn the terminology used to describe abnormal moles and melanoma.

18. Neoplastic Skin Growth Vocabulary
Our skin can stand up to many attacks, but the sun can wreak havoc on this precious organ, causing the formation of various types of skin cancer. In this lesson, you will learn the medical terminology to describe these neoplastic skin growths.

19. Pathologies of the Hair
Often, if we think about our hair, it's only to wish we had someone else's! But for an individual with a hair disorder, returning to his original hair becomes the greatest desire. In this lesson, learn the medical terms used to describe hair pathologies.

20. Nail Diseases & Disorders
Our nails are an important extension of ourselves, literally! In this lesson, learn the terminology of various nail maladies, including: clubbing, koilonychia, onychophagia, onychocryptosis, paronychia, onychia, and onychomycosis.

21. Diagnosing Skin Conditions
What's that growing on my skin!? Discover the tools dermatologists use to accurately diagnose skin growths and disorders. Terminology explained in this lesson include shave biopsy, punch biopsy, bacterial skin culture, and fungal skin culture.

22. Terms for Preventing & Treating Neoplastic Skin Growths
Sadly, skin cancer is a growing epidemic in our nation. In this lesson, we explore the associated risk factors, prevention techniques, and treatment procedures used to eradicate various types of skin cancer.

23. Cosmetic Skin Treatment Vocabulary
The Fountain of Youth has been discovered! Not really. But we've come close through the development of cosmetic procedures aimed at restoring youthfulness. In this lesson, learn the terminology used to describe the most popular aesthetic alterations.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the Medical Terminology: Help & Review course
- Fundamentals of Medical Terminology
- Basic Suffixes, Prefixes & Roots in Medical Terminology
- Terminology for Direction, Planes & Regions of the Body
- Pathology Basics & Vocabulary
- Vocabulary Basics for Genetics, Cells & Structures
- Medical Terms for the Lymphatic & Immune Systems
- Oncology Basics & Terms
- Medical Terminology for the Skeletal System
- Vocabulary for the Muscular System & Its Functions
- Vocabulary for the Cardiovascular System
- Terminology for the Respiratory System, Diseases & Treatments
- Terminology for Diagnosis & Treatment of Respiratory Diseases
- Medical Vocabulary for the Gastrointestinal System
- Terms for GI Tract Pathologies
- GI Tract Diagnosis & Treatment Terminology
- Medical Terms for the Urinary System
- Terminology of the Nervous System
- Terms for Nervous System-Related Conditions
- Terminology for Diagnostics & Treatments of the Nervous System
- Medical Terms Related to the Eyes
- Medical Terminology Related to the Ears
- Terminology for The Endocrine System & Hormones
- Endocrine Gland Disorder Vocabulary
- Pancreatic Disorder Vocabulary
- Adrenal Gland Disorder Terminology
- Male Reproductive System & STDs: Medical Terminology
- Female Reproductive System: Medical Terminology
- Medical Terminology for Major Pathogens
- Medical Terminology Used for Diagnosis & Pharmacology