The medical term for skin is most commonly referred to as the integument. This vital organ is the largest in the human body and forms the primary component of the integumentary system, which also includes hair, nails, and various glands.
The Integumentary System
The integumentary system encompasses the skin and its accessory structures. It serves as a comprehensive protective barrier against the external environment, regulating body temperature, preventing water loss, and housing essential sensory receptors. Understanding this system is fundamental in medical fields, especially in dermatology, the branch of medicine focused on skin conditions.
Key Medical Terms Related to Skin
Beyond "integument" and "integumentary system," several other terms and combining forms are used in medicine to refer to or describe the skin:
- Derm- / Dermato-: These are common combining forms derived from Greek, extensively used in medical terminology related to the skin.
- Examples:
- Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin.
- Dermatologist: A physician specializing in skin disorders.
- Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin.
- Dermis: The layer of skin beneath the epidermis.
- Examples:
- Cutane- / Cutaneo-: These combining forms are derived from Latin, also referring to skin.
- Examples:
- Subcutaneous: Located beneath the skin.
- Cutaneous: Relating to the skin.
- Examples:
- Cutis: This is a direct Latin term for the skin itself, often used in anatomical contexts.
Understanding Skin's Importance
The skin plays a crucial role in maintaining overall health due to its diverse functions:
- Protection: It acts as a shield against pathogens, harmful UV radiation, and physical injury.
- Regulation: It helps control body temperature through sweating and adjusting blood flow.
- Sensation: It contains nerve endings that detect various stimuli, including touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.
- Synthesis: It produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is vital for bone health.
Medical Terms for Skin at a Glance
| Medical Term | Description | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Integument | The skin itself; the body's natural outer covering. | "The integument provides vital protection." |
| Integumentary System | The organ system comprising the skin, hair, nails, and glands. | "The integumentary system is the body's largest organ system." |
| Derm-/Dermato- | Combining form meaning "skin." | Dermatology, dermatitis |
| Cutane-/Cutaneo- | Combining form meaning "skin." | Subcutaneous injection, cutaneous nerve |
| Cutis | Latin term for skin. | "The cutis vera refers to the dermis." |
