InterActive Medical Terminology

Based on the best selling text: An Introduction to Medical Terminology for Health Care (Fifth edition) by A.R.Hutton published by Elsevier Ltd

Unit 11:The Skin

The interactive learning material in this unit is arranged into five sections. Click or tap on a section and scroll down the page completing the exercises in the sequence they are presented:

• Section 1:Introduction
• Section 2:The dermis and epidermis
• Section 3:The glands of the skin
• Section 4:The nails and hair
• Section 5:Self-assessment

Note: FlashCards and a check list of combining forms for this unit are at the end of Section 4.

A short list of abbreviations, pathological conditions, clinical procedures and laboratory tests associated with the skin is available from the:Word Check

Section 1: Introduction

The skin can be regarded as the largest organ in the body; it consists of two layers, the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. The skin protects us from the environment and plays a major role in thermo regulation. In its protective role, it prevents the body dehydrating, resists the invasion of microorganisms and provides protection from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.

Dividing cells in the lowermost layers of the epidermis enable the surface of the skin to continuously regenerate and the presence of elastic fibers and collagen fibers in the dermis make the skin tough and elastic.

Section 2: The Dermis and Epidermis

First examine Anatomy Exercise 1 that shows the main regions of the skin.

Anatomy Exercise 1

The study of the skin is known as dermatology and patients with serious skin disorders will be referred to a consultant dermatologist.

First look at the origin of these words in Root 1:

Note the combining forms usually refer to the whole skin that consists of the dermis and epidermis together but a few words, for example dermic refer to the layer of the skin called the dermis.

In Anatomy Exercise 1 notice the subcutaneous layer, this is a layer of fatty tissue (adipose tissue) that lies under the true skin but it is often studied with it (sub- = under). Cutane/o also means skin but this Latin root is used in few other words for example, cutaneous meaning pertaining to the skin.