Common Word Roots for Integumentary System

derm/o, dermat/o or cutane/o is a combining form that refers to "skin". There is about 20 square feet of surface area on the skin, making it the biggest organ in the body. The skin shields the body from pathogens and the elements, regulates body temperature, and allows touch, heat, and cold sensations.

hidr/o or idr/o is a combining form that refers to "sweat". Known as perspiration, sweating is the release of salt-based fluid from sweat glands that helps regulate body temperature. In the body, there are two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine sweat glands secrete watery, salty sweat when excess body heat is experienced. The apocrine sweat glands are limited to the armpits and a few other locations of the body. They secrete an odorless, oily, clear secretion which then acquires its distinctive odor from bacterial decomposition.

hirsut/o is a combining form that refers to "hairy" or "rough". Hirsutism is a disorder in women in which there is an overgrowth of black or coarse hair on their bodies in a pattern similar to that of men. In hirsutism, excessive hair growth is caused by excessive male hormones (androgens), mainly testosterone.

melan/o is a combining form that refers to "melanin" or "dark". Melanin is a chemical in the body that plays a role in the pigmentation of hair, eye and skin. The more melanin in the body, the darker the eyes, hair, and skin. Melanin levels are influenced by several factors, such as genetics and sun exposure.

myc/o is a combining form that refers to "fungus". A fungus is responsible for athlete's foot and yeast infections. Fungi are among the earliest organisms. The most common examples of these organisms are mushrooms, mold, and mildew. There are fungi in all kinds of places: in the air, on plants, in soil, and even in water. There are some that actually reside inside the human body. There are roughly half of all the different types of fungi that are harmful.

necr/o is a combining form that refers to "death". The term necrosis refers to the death of tissue in the body. The condition occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the tissues of the body. There are several reasons for this, such as injury, radiation, and chemical exposure. There is no way to reverse necrosis once it has occurred. Gangrene is a condition that occurs when large areas of tissue die from a lack of blood supply, which is due to a lack of oxygen.

onych/o or ungu/o is a combining form that refers to "nail". A nail is a thin plate with a claw-like shape that is located at the tip of each finger or toe. There is a tough protective protein that forms the structure of the fingernails and toenails and it is called alpha-keratin, which is a polymer molecule.

pachy/o is a combining form that refers to "thick". There is a condition known as Pachyonychia congenita, which primarily affects the skin and nails and leads to a thickening and abnormal shape of the fingernails and toenails.

rhytid/o is a combining form that refers to "wrinkles". A wrinkle is basically a crease, fold, or ridge on the surface of the skin. In the course of aging, they are naturally going to appear on the body. Due to the thinning of the skin and the decreasing elasticity of the skin over time, they develop on the body.

seb/o is a combining form that refers to "sebum" or sebaceous gland". The sebaceous glands in the body produce sebum, a thick, oily substance that coats, moisturizes, and protects the skin.

staphyl/o is a combining form that refers to "grapelike clusters (also refers to uvula)". Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogenic bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases. They are shaped like cocci and appear to be grouped in clusters that are described as “grape-like.”

strept/o is a combining form that refers to "twisted chains or strips". Streptococci is a pathogenic bacteria that occurs in pairs or chains. The bacteria causing strep throat is Streptococcus pyogenes. It is important to note that streptococcal bacteria are contagious. A person with an infection can spread the infection from person to person through droplets when he or she coughs or sneezes. This can also happen through the sharing of food and drinks with other people.

trich/o is a combining form that refers to "hair". There is a type of specialist called a trichologist who is specialized in the field of trichology, which includes studying and treating diseases and problems related to the hair and scalp.

xer/o is a combining form that refers to "dry". Xerosis is the medical term used to describe dry skin. It is a disorder in which the skin or membranes, like those in the mouth or the conjunctiva of the eye, turn abnormally dry.