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Pigmentation

Meaning

The biological process of synthesizing, distributing, and depositing the pigment melanin within the skin, hair, and eyes, which is primarily responsible for determining color and providing photoprotection. This process is highly regulated by the endocrine system, particularly by pituitary hormones and sex steroids, and is carried out by specialized cells called melanocytes. Alterations in hormonal balance can lead to clinical manifestations of hyper- or hypopigmentation, such as melasma or vitiligo.