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Anatomy & Physiology: Integumentary System and Histology

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Terms in this set (24)

  • Layers of the skin

    The skin consists of three main layers: epidermis (outer, avascular), dermis (dense irregular connective tissue), and hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue with fat).

  • Primary cell types in the epidermis

    Keratinocytes (barrier and immune defense), melanocytes (produce melanin), dendritic cells (immune antigen-presenting), and Merkel cells (touch sensation).

  • Stratum Basale characteristics

    Deepest epidermal layer, single layer of cuboidal keratinocytes, site of mitosis, alive and anchored to dermis, most susceptible to UV damage and cancer.

  • Stratum Corneum function

    Outermost epidermal layer, up to 25 layers of dead, keratinized cells, provides a flexible protective barrier, cells are sloughed off by desquamation.

  • Difference between thick and thin skin

    Thick skin has all five epidermal layers including stratum lucidum and is found on palms and soles; thin skin lacks stratum lucidum and covers most of the body.

  • Papillary vs Reticular dermis

    Papillary layer is superficial, loose connective tissue with capillaries; reticular layer is deeper, dense irregular connective tissue with collagen bundles and cleavage lines.

  • Functions of sebaceous glands

    Produce sebum, an oily substance that lubricates skin and hair, protects against drying and some bacteria, usually connected to hair follicles.

  • Eccrine sweat glands

    Most common sweat glands, produce watery sweat for temperature regulation, release sweat directly onto skin surface via ducts.

  • Apocrine sweat glands

    Located in axilla, genital, and anal regions, open onto hair shafts, activated at puberty, produce odorless secretion metabolized by bacteria causing body odor.

  • Hypodermis composition and function

    Loose connective tissue and adipose, anchors skin to muscles/bones, stores about 50% of body fat, provides padding and insulation.

  • Skin functions related to temperature regulation

    Arterioles dilate to release heat and constrict to conserve heat; sweat evaporates to cool skin; arrector pili muscles contract to raise hair and trap air.

  • Rule of Nines for burns

    Body divided into regions each representing 9% (or multiples) of total body surface area to estimate burn extent (e.g., anterior trunk 18%, each upper limb 9%).

  • First, second, and third degree burns

    1st degree: superficial; 2nd degree: partial thickness; 3rd degree: full thickness, complete skin destruction.

  • Characteristics of epithelial tissue

    Cellularity, polarity (apical and basal surfaces), supported by connective tissue, avascular but innervated, high regeneration capacity.

  • Classification of epithelium by layers

    Simple: one cell layer; stratified: multiple layers; pseudostratified: single layer with nuclei at different levels.

  • Classification of epithelium by cell shape

    Squamous: flat; cuboidal: cube-shaped; columnar: tall and thin; transitional: changes shape (urinary tract).

  • Functions of simple vs stratified epithelium

    Simple epithelium facilitates diffusion, filtration, secretion, absorption; stratified epithelium provides protection against abrasion.

  • Loose connective tissue types and functions

    Areolar: supports and binds tissues, found under skin; Adipose: stores fat, cushions, insulates.

  • Dense regular vs dense irregular connective tissue

    Dense regular: collagen fibers aligned, found in tendons and ligaments; Dense irregular: collagen fibers in multiple directions, found in dermis and organ capsules.

  • Types and functions of cartilage

    Hyaline: supports and cushions joints; Elastic: flexible support (ear, epiglottis); Fibrocartilage: absorbs compressive forces (intervertebral discs).

  • Bone tissue characteristics

    Mineralized extracellular matrix with osteocytes in lacunae, highly vascular, supports and protects, heals readily.

  • Nervous tissue components

    Neurons with dendrites (receive signals), cell body (soma), and axon (conducts impulses); specialized for electrical signal transmission.

  • Muscle tissue types

    Skeletal: voluntary, striated, multinucleated; Cardiac: involuntary, striated, uninucleated; Smooth: involuntary, nonstriated, uninucleated.

  • Three steps of tissue repair

    1. Inflammation: clotting and immune response; 2. Organization: granulation tissue and collagen bridge; 3. Regeneration: scar formation and epithelial thickening.