Melanocyte
Melanin-producing cells of the skin / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Melanogenesis?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
Melanocytes are melanin-producing neural crest-derived[3] cells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea),[4] the inner ear,[5] vaginal epithelium,[6] meninges,[7] bones,[8] and heart found in many mammals and birds.[9] Melanin is a dark pigment primarily responsible for skin color. Once synthesized, melanin is contained in special organelles called melanosomes which can be transported to nearby keratinocytes to induce pigmentation. Thus darker skin tones have more melanosomes present than lighter skin tones. Functionally, melanin serves as protection against UV radiation. Melanocytes also have a role in the immune system.
![]() | This article about biology may be excessively human-centric. |
Melanocyte | |
---|---|
![]() Melanocyte and melanin | |
Details | |
Pronunciation | /məˈlænəˌsaɪt, -noʊ-/ ⓘ 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 |