Melanocyte
melanin-producing cell type often on the skin
Melanocytes are melanin-producing cells. They are most obvious in the skin, hair and eyes. They are in the bottom layer of the skin's epidermis, in hairs, and in the iris of the eye, and some places inside the body.[3]
| Melanocyte | |
|---|---|
 Melanocyte and melanin. | |
| Details | |
| Pronunciation | /məˈlænəˌsaɪt, -noʊ-/ ( listen) or /ˈmɛlənəˌsaɪt, -noʊ-/[1][2] |
| Precursor | Neural crest |
| Location | Skin |
| Function | Melanin production |
| Identifiers | |
| Latin | melanocytus |
| MeSH | D008544 |
| TH | H2.00.03.0.01016 |
| FMA | 70545 |
| Anatomical terms of microanatomy | |
Melanin is the pigment mostly responsible for skin and hair colour. It protects the skin against damage by UV radiation from the Sun. UV radiation causes damage to cell DNA, which makes skin cancer more likely.
Melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSH) from the pituitary gland causes melanocytes to produce more melanin. They stimulate the production and release of melanin by melanocytes in skin and hair. MSH signals to the brain have effects on appetite and sexual arousal.
References
change- ↑ "Melanocyte". Oxford Dictionaries UK Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "Melanocyte". Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
- ↑ Barden H and Levine S (1983). "Histochemical observations on rodent brain melanin". Brain Research Bulletin. 10 (6): 847–851. doi:10.1016/0361-9230(83)90218-6. PMID 6616275. S2CID 4783099.