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Anatomy & Physiology: Tissue and Integumentary System Key Concepts

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  • Endothelium

    Endothelium is a type of simple squamous epithelial tissue lining blood vessels and the heart.

  • Exocrine gland vs Endocrine gland

    Exocrine glands secrete substances through ducts to surfaces; endocrine glands release hormones directly into the bloodstream.

  • Apical surface

    The apical surface is the free, exposed surface of an epithelial cell facing the lumen or outside environment.

  • Basal lamina and Basement membrane

    The basal lamina is a thin extracellular layer supporting epithelial cells; together with connective tissue, it forms the basement membrane.

  • Holocrine secretion

    Holocrine secretion involves the entire cell disintegrating to release its product, as seen in sebaceous glands.

  • Merocrine/Eccrine secretion

    Merocrine (eccrine) secretion releases products by exocytosis without cell damage, typical of sweat glands.

  • Apocrine secretion

    Apocrine secretion involves release of product along with part of the cell's cytoplasm, found in some sweat glands.

  • Keratinocytes

    Keratinocytes are the primary cells in the epidermis producing keratin, a protective protein.

  • Melanocytes and Melanin

    Melanocytes produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and UV protection.

  • Functions of epithelial tissue

    Epithelial tissue protects, absorbs, secretes, and filters substances across its surfaces.

  • Types of intercellular connections

    Includes tight junctions, gap junctions, desmosomes, hemidesmosomes, and intercalated discs.

  • Functions of connective tissue

    Connective tissue supports, binds, protects, insulates, and transports substances in the body.

  • Three main types of connective tissue

    Connective Tissue Proper, Fluid Connective Tissue, and Supporting Connective Tissue.

  • Appositional vs Interstitial growth

    Appositional growth adds new layers on the surface; interstitial growth expands tissue from within.

  • Four types of tissue membranes

    Mucous, serous, cutaneous, and synovial membranes.

  • Layers of the epidermis

    From surface to deep: stratum corneum, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum, and basale.

  • Functions of the integumentary system

    Protection, sensation, thermoregulation, vitamin D synthesis, and excretion.

  • Thick vs Thin skin

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

  • Accessory structures of skin

    Includes hair, nails, glands, and touch receptors.

  • Layers of the dermis

    Papillary layer is superficial and contains dermal papillae; reticular layer is deeper and denser.

  • Five types of touch receptors

    Include Meissner's corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles, Merkel cells, Ruffini endings, and free nerve endings.

  • Hair structure

    Composed of shaft, root, cuticle, and controlled by the arrector pili muscle.

  • Skin cancer major types

    Includes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.

  • Vitamin D3 production in skin

    UV light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in skin to vitamin D3, essential for calcium absorption.

  • Granulation tissue

    New connective tissue and microscopic blood vessels that form during wound healing.

  • Keloid

    Excessive scar tissue growth beyond the original wound boundaries.

  • Functions of muscle tissue

    Muscle tissue enables movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.

  • Two cell types in nervous tissue

    Neurons transmit signals; glial cells support and protect neurons.

  • Major parts of a neuron

    Dendrites receive signals; axon transmits signals away from the cell body.