Skin color
The color of skin which is complexly determined. Skin color depends on many factors including reddening caused by inflammation, the hemoglobin level in the blood, and the darkening caused by increased deposition of the pigment melanin. Melanin itself is a polymer that comes in two types — a red-yellow form known as pheomelanin and a black-brown form known as eumelanin.
The genetics of skin color are similarly complex. Skin color is clearly polygenic, determined by a number of genes. These genes include TYR (tyrosinase), MATP (membrane-associated transport protein) and P (the pink-eyed dilution protein). There may be 20 or so other genes that affect skin color.
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- Skin calipers
A simple method for determining the lean body mass. This method involves measuring the skinfold thickness of the layer of fat just under the skin in several parts of the body with calipers. The results are then calculated and the percentage of body fat is determined. Skin calipers can yield inaccurate results in inexperienced operators.
- Skin biopsy
Removal of a piece of skin for the purpose of diagnostic examination. Skin biopsy is most frequently done to diagnose skin growths, such as moles, or skin conditions, such as rashes. Different skin biopsy techniques are used in different situations. A shave biopsy takes a thin slice and can be used to remove superficial lesions. […]
- Somniloquy
Sleep talking. Talking in one’s sleep is considered a normal phenomenon that is of no medical or psychological consequence.
- Somnolence
Sleepiness, the state of feeling drowsy, ready to fall asleep. A person experiencing somnolence is somnolent and is acting somnolently. Somnolence, somnolent, and somnolently go back to the Latin “somnus” meaning (please don’t yawn) “sleep.”
- Somnolent
Sleepy or tending to cause sleep. From the Latin work somnus, meaning ‘sleep.’