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Anatomy & Physiology: Integumentary System and Glandular Epithelium

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Terms in this set (29)

  • What are the three types of membranes found within the body?

    1. Cutaneous membranes (skin)
    2. Mucous membranes (line body cavities open to exterior)
    3. Serous membranes (line closed ventral body cavities)

  • What is a gland and how are glands classified?

    A gland is one or more cells that make and secrete an aqueous fluid called a secretion. Classified by site of product release (endocrine or exocrine) and number of cells (unicellular or multicellular).

  • How do endocrine glands differ from exocrine glands?

    Endocrine glands are ductless and secrete hormones into interstitial fluid picked up by blood. Exocrine glands secrete products onto body surfaces or cavities via ducts.

  • What are unicellular exocrine glands and their function?

    Unicellular exocrine glands include goblet cells and mucous cells, which produce mucin that dissolves in water to form mucus for protection and lubrication.

  • How are multicellular exocrine glands classified by structure?

    By duct branching: simple (unbranched ducts) or compound (branched ducts). By secretory unit shape: tubular (tube-shaped), alveolar (sac-shaped), or tubuloalveolar (both).

  • What are the three modes of secretion in multicellular exocrine glands?

    Merocrine: secretion by exocytosis (e.g., sweat glands). Holocrine: entire cell ruptures releasing secretion (e.g., sebaceous glands). Apocrine: apex of cell pinches off (controversial in humans).

  • What are the main protective functions of the skin?

    Skin acts as a chemical barrier (antimicrobial proteins, acid mantle, melanin), physical barrier (keratinized cells, lipids), and biological barrier (immune cells like dendritic cells and macrophages).

  • How does the skin regulate body temperature?

    By producing insensible perspiration at rest and sensible perspiration (sweat) when hot. Dermal blood vessels dilate to increase heat loss or constrict to conserve heat.

  • What are cutaneous sensations and their receptors?

    Skin contains sensory receptors: exteroceptors respond to external stimuli like touch and temperature; free nerve endings sense pain.

  • What metabolic functions does the skin perform?

    Skin synthesizes vitamin D needed for calcium absorption, activates some hormones, produces collagenase to prevent wrinkles, and can detoxify some carcinogens.

  • What are the two main layers of the skin and their characteristics?

    Epidermis: superficial, avascular, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
    Dermis: underlying connective tissue, vascular, contains glands and follicles.

  • What is the hypodermis and its function?

    Also called superficial fascia, it is a subcutaneous layer of mostly adipose tissue that absorbs shock, insulates, and anchors skin to muscles.

  • Name the four main cell types in the epidermis and their functions.

    Keratinocytes: produce keratin.
    Melanocytes: produce melanin.
    Dendritic (Langerhans) cells: immune defense.
    Tactile (Merkel) cells: sensory touch receptors.

  • What are the five layers of the epidermis in thick skin?

    From deep to superficial: Stratum basale, Stratum spinosum, Stratum granulosum, Stratum lucidum, Stratum corneum.

  • What is the function of the stratum basale?

    It is the deepest layer with stem cells that divide to produce new keratinocytes; also contains melanocytes and Merkel cells.

  • What changes occur in the stratum granulosum?

    Cells begin keratinization, accumulate keratohyaline and lamellar granules, become water-resistant, and cells above die due to lack of nutrients.

  • What is the role of the dermal papillae in the papillary layer?

    They are fingerlike projections that increase surface area for nutrient exchange and contain capillaries and sensory receptors; form friction ridges for grip and fingerprints.

  • What tissue composes the reticular layer of the dermis?

    Dense irregular connective tissue with collagen and elastic fibers providing strength, resiliency, and hydration.

  • What causes cleavage (tension) lines in the skin and why are they important?

    Parallel collagen fibers in the reticular dermis create cleavage lines; important for surgeons because incisions along these lines heal better.

  • What pigments contribute to skin color?

    Melanin (made by melanocytes), carotene (yellow-orange pigment), and hemoglobin (red from blood vessels).

  • What is the ABCD rule for melanoma detection?

    A: Asymmetry, B: Border irregularity, C: Color variation, D: Diameter larger than 6 mm.

  • What are the three types of skin cancer?

    Basal cell carcinoma: most common, least malignant.
    Squamous cell carcinoma: can metastasize.
    Melanoma: most dangerous, highly metastatic.

  • How are burns classified by degree?

    First-degree: epidermal damage only.
    Second-degree: epidermis and upper dermis, blisters.
    Third-degree: full thickness, no pain, requires grafting.

  • What is the Rule of Nines in burn assessment?

    Body divided into 11 areas each representing 9% of total body surface area, plus 1% for genitals; used to estimate burn severity and fluid loss.

  • What are the two major ways tissue repair occurs?

    Regeneration: replacement with same tissue, restoring function.
    Fibrosis: replacement with scar tissue, function lost.

  • What are the three steps in tissue repair?

    1. Inflammation: blood vessel dilation and clotting.
    2. Organization: blood clot replaced by granulation tissue.
    3. Regeneration and fibrosis: scab detaches, tissue matures.

  • Which tissues have high, moderate, and low regenerative capacity?

    High: epithelial, bone, areolar, dense irregular, blood-forming.
    Moderate: smooth muscle, dense regular connective.
    Low: cardiac muscle, nervous tissue.

  • What are the main types of sweat glands and their characteristics?

    Eccrine glands: abundant, thermoregulation, secrete watery sweat.
    Apocrine glands: axillary and anogenital areas, secrete milky sweat, begin at puberty.

  • What are sebaceous glands and their function?

    Oil glands associated with hair follicles, secrete sebum (holocrine), which softens skin and hair and has bactericidal properties.