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Anatomy & Physiology Chapter 5: Integumentary System Study Guide

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Terms in this set (65)

  • Two major regions of the skin

    The epidermis and the dermis.

  • Location and tissue type of subcutaneous tissue

    Located beneath the dermis; composed mainly of areolar and adipose connective tissue.

  • Three functions of the subcutaneous tissue
    • Stores fat
    • Provides insulation
    • Anchors skin to underlying structures
  • Tissue forming the epidermis

    Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

  • Function of keratinocytes

    Produce keratin, a protein that strengthens skin and makes it waterproof.

  • Function of melanocytes

    Produce melanin, the pigment that protects against UV radiation.

  • Function of dendritic cells

    Act as immune cells that detect pathogens and activate immune responses.

  • Function of tactile epithelial cells

    Serve as touch receptors by associating with sensory nerve endings.

  • Dominant cell type in the epidermis and protein produced

    Keratinocytes are dominant; they produce keratin.

  • Layers of the epidermis from deepest to most superficial

    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), stratum corneum.

  • Layer found only in thick skin

    Stratum lucidum.

  • Layer with actively mitotic cells producing new keratinocytes

    Stratum basale.

  • Layer containing melanocytes

    Stratum basale.

  • Layers containing dead, flat, keratinized cells

    Stratum lucidum (thick skin) and stratum corneum.

  • Layer where keratinocytes first lose nuclei and organelles

    Stratum granulosum.

  • Layer named for desmosomes connecting keratinocytes

    Stratum spinosum.

  • Location of thick skin

    Palms of hands and soles of feet.

  • Anatomical differences between thick and thin skin
    • Thick skin has all five epidermal layers and no hair follicles or sebaceous glands.
    • Thin skin lacks stratum lucidum and contains hair follicles, sebaceous, and sweat glands.
  • Two layers of the dermis and their tissue types

    Papillary layer: areolar connective tissue; reticular layer: dense irregular connective tissue.

  • Layer of dermis that is thicker

    Reticular layer, making up about 80% of the dermis.

  • Definition of dermal papillae

    Fingerlike projections of the papillary dermis that increase surface area for nutrient exchange and strengthen attachment to epidermis.

  • Relationship between dermal papillae and fingerprints

    Dermal papillae form ridges on the skin surface, creating unique fingerprint patterns.

  • Pigment most important in determining skin color

    Melanin.

  • Cells that produce melanin

    Melanocytes in the stratum basale.

  • Function of melanin besides skin color

    Protects skin cells from UV radiation damage.

  • Pigment responsible for pinkish skin color in light-skinned people

    Hemoglobin in red blood cells.

  • Pigment giving yellow color to stratum corneum and subcutaneous tissue

    Carotene.

  • Four accessory structures of the skin
    • Hair
    • Nails
    • Sweat glands
    • Sebaceous glands
  • Accessory structures containing keratin besides epidermis

    Hair and nails.

  • Function of arrector pili muscle

    Contracts to cause hair to stand up, producing 'goosebumps' and helping trap heat.

  • Three layers of hair shaft from innermost to outermost

    Medulla, cortex, cuticle.

  • Three layers of hair follicle wall from innermost to outermost

    Internal root sheath, external root sheath, connective tissue sheath.

  • Three functions of hair
    • Protection
    • Sensation
    • Heat retention
  • Parts of a nail
    • Nail plate: visible hard part
    • Nail bed: skin beneath plate
    • Nail matrix: growth region
    • Nail folds: skin around nail
    • Eponychium (cuticle): skin at nail base
    • Hyponychium: skin under free edge
  • Structure responsible for nail growth

    Nail matrix.

  • Location, secretion, and function of eccrine sweat glands

    Located all over body; secrete watery sweat; function in thermoregulation.

  • Location, secretion, and function of apocrine sweat glands

    Located in axillary and genital areas; secrete milky sweat; function in scent release.

  • Location, secretion, and function of sebaceous glands

    Associated with hair follicles; secrete oily sebum; lubricate skin and hair.

  • Gland with duct opening through skin pore

    Eccrine sweat glands.

  • Glands with ducts emptying into hair follicles

    Apocrine sweat glands and sebaceous glands.

  • Are sebaceous glands found in thick skin?

    No, because thick skin lacks hair follicles which sebaceous glands associate with.

  • Four major functions of the skin
    • Protection
    • Temperature regulation
    • Sensation
    • Vitamin D synthesis
  • Two examples of chemical barriers in skin
    • Acid mantle (low pH)
    • Defensins (antimicrobial peptides)
  • Skin layer acting as physical barrier

    Stratum corneum.

  • Components of stratum corneum as 'bricks' and 'mortar'

    'Bricks' are keratinized cells; 'mortar' is the lipid matrix preventing water loss.

  • Two biological barriers activating immune system
    • Dendritic cells in epidermis
    • Macrophages in dermis
  • Skin responses to increased body temperature
    • Vasodilation of dermal blood vessels
    • Activation of sweat glands
  • Vitamin synthesized in the skin

    Vitamin D.

  • Requirement for vitamin D synthesis

    Exposure to UVB radiation from sunlight.

  • Importance of vitamin D in the body

    Needed for calcium absorption and bone health.

  • Cells and epidermal layers involved in basal cell carcinoma

    Basal cells in the stratum basale.

  • Cells and epidermal layers involved in squamous cell carcinoma

    Keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum.

  • Cells and epidermal layers involved in melanoma

    Melanocytes in the stratum basale.

  • Most common type of skin cancer

    Basal cell carcinoma.

  • Most serious type of skin cancer

    Melanoma.

  • Significance of the 'rule of nines'

    Estimates the percentage of body surface area affected by burns for treatment decisions.

  • Skin regions affected by first-degree burns

    Only the epidermis.

  • Skin regions affected by second-degree burns

    Epidermis and part of the dermis.

  • Skin regions affected by third-degree burns

    Entire thickness of the skin including epidermis, dermis, and often subcutaneous tissue; also called full-thickness burns.

  • Characteristics of thick skin sample

    Contains all five epidermal layers, lacks hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

  • Epidermal cells responsible for tanning

    Melanocytes.

  • Purpose of increased pigment after tanning

    Protects skin cells from UV damage by absorbing radiation.

  • Skin gland primarily responsible for cooling during exercise

    Eccrine sweat glands.

  • Why no cancers arise from stratum corneum

    Cells are dead and lack nuclei, so they cannot divide or become cancerous.

  • Effect of keratinocyte mutation preventing normal keratin production

    Weakens epidermal protection and causes structural defects in hair and nails.