THE PIGMENTARY SYSTEM

The total mass of pigment cells in the adult human is estimated to be about 1.5 grams (1). This mass of pigment cells is substantially larger than the pineal gland which weighs only 100 mg. Despite its small size, the pineal gland is responsible for adjusting the body's intrinsic cycles to daily and seasonal environmental variables such as sunlight, temperature and food availability (2). The pituitary gland, the reputed conductor of the endocrine orchestra, weighs about 500 mg. In contrast to these two glands, pigment cells are dispersed throughout many organs, for example the skin, eyes, ears. meninges and other tissues. Because they are scattered throughout the body, they are considered of little biological importance. There is a tendency for dermatologists to ignore the concept of a pigment system, and to think only of isolated pigment cells. It has been stated that a patient can live essentially a "normal" life with nonfunctioning melanocytes (oculocutaneous albinism) or without any cutaneous melanocytes at all (piebaldism or total vitiligo). This idea probably is incorrect because pigment and pigment cells are involved in many important activities of the skin and other organs.

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