Biomaterial Database

The biology of the pigmentary system and its disorders. 1985

P A Lucky, and J J Nordlund

Melanin is the major determinant of skin color in humans. Abnormalities and diseases affecting pigmentation interrupt the production of distribution of melanin. The authors discuss the many diseases of hyper- and hypopigmentation.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008543	Melanins	Insoluble polymers of TYROSINE derivatives found in and causing darkness in skin (SKIN PIGMENTATION), hair, and feathers providing protection against SUNBURN induced by SUNLIGHT. CAROTENES contribute yellow and red coloration.	Allomelanins,Melanin,Phaeomelanins
D008544	Melanocytes	Mammalian pigment cells that produce MELANINS, pigments found mainly in the EPIDERMIS, but also in the eyes and the hair, by a process called melanogenesis. Coloration can be altered by the number of melanocytes or the amount of pigment produced and stored in the organelles called MELANOSOMES. The large non-mammalian melanin-containing cells are called MELANOPHORES.	Melanocyte
D009455	Neurofibroma	A moderately firm, benign, encapsulated tumor resulting from proliferation of SCHWANN CELLS and FIBROBLASTS that includes portions of nerve fibers. The tumors usually develop along peripheral or cranial nerves and are a central feature of NEUROFIBROMATOSIS 1, where they may occur intracranially or involve spinal roots. Pathologic features include fusiform enlargement of the involved nerve. Microscopic examination reveals a disorganized and loose cellular pattern with elongated nuclei intermixed with fibrous strands. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p1016)	Neurofibromas
D009508	Nevus, Pigmented	A nevus containing melanin. The term is usually restricted to nevocytic nevi (round or oval collections of melanin-containing nevus cells occurring at the dermoepidermal junction of the skin or in the dermis proper) or moles, but may be applied to other pigmented nevi.	Nevus, Melanocytic,Nevi, Melanocytic,Nevi, Pigmented,Pigmented Moles,Melanocytic Nevi,Melanocytic Nevus,Pigmented Nevi,Pigmented Nevus
D010859	Pigmentation Disorders	Diseases affecting PIGMENTATION, including SKIN PIGMENTATION.	Incontinentia Pigmenti Achromians,Ito Syndrome,Schamberg's Disease,Schamberg Disease,Disease, Schamberg,Disease, Schamberg's,Disorder, Pigmentation,Disorders, Pigmentation,Pigmentation Disorder,Schambergs Disease,Syndrome, Ito
D004817	Epidermis	The external, nonvascular layer of the skin. It is made up, from within outward, of five layers of EPITHELIUM: (1) basal layer (stratum basale epidermidis); (2) spinous layer (stratum spinosum epidermidis); (3) granular layer (stratum granulosum epidermidis); (4) clear layer (stratum lucidum epidermidis); and (5) horny layer (stratum corneum epidermidis).
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000309	Adrenal Insufficiency	Conditions in which the production of adrenal CORTICOSTEROIDS falls below the requirement of the body. Adrenal insufficiency can be caused by defects in the ADRENAL GLANDS, the PITUITARY GLAND, or the HYPOTHALAMUS.	Adrenal Gland Hypofunction,Hypoadrenalism,Adrenal Insufficiencies,Hypofunction, Adrenal Gland
D000417	Albinism	General term for a number of inherited defects of amino acid metabolism in which there is a deficiency or absence of pigment in the eyes, skin, or hair.
D012878	Skin Neoplasms	Tumors or cancer of the SKIN.	Cancer of Skin,Skin Cancer,Cancer of the Skin,Neoplasms, Skin,Cancer, Skin,Cancers, Skin,Neoplasm, Skin,Skin Cancers,Skin Neoplasm