Melanin
Information
Melanin is a natural substance that gives color (pigment) to:
- Hair
- Skin
- The iris of the eye
Iris
The iris is the colored part of the eye. It is located between the cornea and lens. The round, central opening of the iris is called the pupil. Ve...
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It is produced by cells in the skin called melanocytes.
Melanin also helps protect the skin from the sun.
Reviewed By
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bolognia JL, Orlow SJ. Melanocyte biology. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 65.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary. Melanin. www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melanin. Accessed July 26, 2024.
Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG. Development of eyes and ears. In: Moore KL, Persaud TVN, Torchia MG, eds. Developing Human, The. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 18.
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