Skin


Glossary

A

a.k.a.
 - short for also known as
acne
 - skin disease often experienced by teenagers - also called pimples

B

bacteria
 - microscopic life
beneficial
 - helpful

C

collagen
 - a protein that connects cells together
constricting
 - tightening

D

dehydration
 - loss of body fluids
dermis
 - inner layer of skin

E

epidermis
 - outer layer of skin

F

freckles
 - darker spots on the skin

G

gland
 - an organ which produces and releases substances that perform a specific function in the body. In the skin, there are sweat glands and oil glands

H

hypodermis
 - the deepest layer of the skin, subcutaneous layer

I

infection
 - illness brought on by microscopic life forms
integumentary system
 - the system that acts as a barrier to protect the body from the outside world, comprised of skin, hair, nails and glands

K

keratin
 - a protein found in hair, fingernails, hooves, horns

M

melanin
 - the coloring found in skin, hair, feathers, fur, etc.

N

nervous system
 - the complex network of nerves and cells that carry messages to and from the brain and spinal cord to various parts of the body

O

organ
 - tissues that work to perform a specific function in your body – examples are brain, heart, lungs
organ system
 - a group of organs that work together, as in the digestive system or cardiovascular system

P

pharmacy
 - store where medications are sold
pigment
 - coloring

R

rash
 - a reaction to something that makes skin red and itchy

S

scar
 - a mark left on skin after an injury heals
sebaceous glands
 - oil glands of the body
sebum
 - body oil
subcutaneous
 - anything lying under the skin
sunscreen
 - lotion used to prevent sunburn

T

temperature
 - hot or cold - measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius
tissues
 - a collection of similar related cells

U

unique
 - the only one of its kind, different from all others
UV
 - ultra violet rays of the sun that cause sunburn

W

waterproof
 - is not damaged by water