*** Welcome to piglix ***

Melanogenesis

Melanocyte
Illu skin02.jpg
Melanocyte and melanin.
Details
Identifiers
Latin melanocytus
MeSH Melanocytes
Code TH H2.00.03.0.01016
Anatomical terminology
[]

Melanocytes (Listeni/məˈlænəˌst, -n-/ or /ˈmɛlənəˌst, -n-/) are melanin-producing neural-crest derivedcells located in the bottom layer (the stratum basale) of the skin's epidermis, the middle layer of the eye (the uvea), the inner ear,meninges,bones, and heart. Melanin is the pigment primarily responsible for skin color. Once synthesised, melanin is contained in a special organelle called a melanosome and moved along arm-like structures called dendrites, so as to reach the keratinocytes.


...
Wikipedia

...