Anatomy

Animal Scales

Tough, horny, brittle, smooth, striated or plate-like extensions of the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin. It serves as a protective layer in fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Tough, horny, brittle, smooth, striated or plate-like extensions of the stratum corneum or outer layer of the skin. It serves as a protective layer in fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

Related Concepts

Knowledge Graph

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • Cuticular Scales
  • Dermal Scales
  • Epidermal Scales
  • Animal Scale
  • Cuticular Scale
  • Dermal Scale
  • Epidermal Scale
  • Scale, Animal
  • Scale, Cuticular
  • Scale, Dermal
  • Scale, Epidermal
  • Scales, Animal
  • Scales, Cuticular
  • Scales, Dermal
  • Scales, Epidermal

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

20 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings abnormalities, anatomy & histology, chemistry, cytology, diagnostic imaging, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathology, physiology, physiopathology, radiation effects, transplantation, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

History Note

2018

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Skin (1963-2017)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. A13.079w
  2. A17w.100w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Animal Scales. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D000075342. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D000075342
  2. Animal Scales. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scale_(zoology)
  3. Animal Scales. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q188488