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Anatomy & Physiology Exam 2 Study Guide

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Terms in this set (29)

  • Layers of the skin

    The skin has two main layers: the epidermis (superficial, epithelial, avascular) and the dermis (deep, connective tissue, vascularized).

  • Epidermis sublayers from deep to superficial

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

  • Primary cell type in the epidermis and function

    Keratinocytes produce keratin and are found in all epidermal layers, changing shape from cuboidal/columnar to squamous as they move outward.

  • Function of melanocytes

    Produce melanin pigment to protect keratinocyte nuclei from UV radiation; located in stratum basale.

  • Role of dendritic cells in the skin

    Phagocytose foreign substances and activate immune responses; found in stratum spinosum.

  • Function of tactile epithelial cells

    Serve as sensory receptors for touch; located in stratum basale.

  • Keratohyalin granules

    Granules in stratum granulosum keratinocytes that bind pre-keratin filaments together to form keratin.

  • Lamellar granules

    Secrete water-resistant glycolipids in stratum granulosum, providing epidermal waterproofing.

  • Dermis layers and connective tissue types

    Papillary dermis: superficial, loose areolar CT; Reticular dermis: deep, dense irregular CT.

  • Dermal papillae

    Finger-like projections of dermis into epidermis containing capillaries and sensory receptors.

  • Friction ridges

    Raised epidermal ridges over dermal papillae that improve grip and tactile sensitivity (e.g., fingerprints).

  • Cleavage lines

    Lines of collagen fiber orientation in reticular dermis; incisions parallel to these lines heal better.

  • Flexure lines

    Dermal folds near joints where skin is tightly anchored to underlying structures, allowing joint movement.

  • Factors contributing to skin color

    Melanin (produced by melanocytes), carotene (yellow-orange pigment), and hemoglobin (red pigment in blood).

  • How melanin protects DNA

    Melanin sits above keratinocyte nuclei, absorbing UV radiation to prevent DNA damage.

  • Hair shaft layers

    From deep to superficial: medulla, cortex, cuticle.

  • Hair matrix

    Layer of rapidly dividing cells at hair bulb base responsible for hair growth.

  • Arrector pili muscle function

    Attached to hair follicle; contraction causes hair to stand (goosebumps) and stimulates sebum release.

  • Differences between vellus and terminal hair

    Vellus: soft, fine hair on children and women; Terminal: coarse, pigmented hair on scalp, eyebrows, and after puberty in certain areas.

  • Types of sweat glands and secretions

    Eccrine glands: watery sweat for cooling; Apocrine glands: thicker sweat in axillary/genital areas; Sebaceous glands: secrete oily sebum.

  • Three types of skin barriers

    Chemical (acidic secretions, melanin), physical (keratinocytes and lipids), and biological (immune cells).

  • Skin's role in temperature regulation

    Controls temperature via sweating (evaporative cooling) and blood vessel dilation/constriction.

  • Functions of bone

    Support, protection, anchorage, mineral storage, blood cell formation, triglyceride storage, hormone production.

  • Types of cartilage and locations

    Hyaline: articular surfaces, ribs; Elastic: ear, epiglottis; Fibrocartilage: intervertebral discs, menisci.

  • Osteon structure

    Structural unit of compact bone; concentric lamellae surrounding a central canal with blood vessels and nerves.

  • Bone remodeling cells and functions

    Osteoblasts build bone; osteoclasts resorb bone; osteocytes communicate stress signals.

  • Wolff's Law

    Bone remodels in response to mechanical stress, growing stronger where stress is greatest.

  • Synovial joint features

    Articular cartilage, joint cavity, articular capsule, synovial fluid, reinforcing ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.

  • Six types of synovial joints

    Plane (gliding), hinge (flexion/extension), pivot (rotation), condylar (biaxial), saddle (biaxial), ball-and-socket (multiaxial).