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ch5Anatomy & Physiology: Integumentary System

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Terms in this set (28)

  • What are the two main regions of the skin?
    Epidermis (superficial, epithelial, avascular) and Dermis (underlying, fibrous connective tissue, vascular).
  • What is the hypodermis and its function?
    A subcutaneous layer deep to the skin, mostly adipose tissue that absorbs shock, insulates, and anchors skin to underlying structures.
  • Name the four main cell types in the epidermis.
    Keratinocytes, Melanocytes, Dendritic cells, and Tactile (Merkel) cells.
  • What is the function of keratinocytes?
    Produce fibrous keratin, providing skin its protective properties; major epidermal cells connected by desmosomes.
  • What role do melanocytes play in the skin?
    Produce melanin pigment, which protects keratinocyte nuclei from UV damage by transferring melanosomes.
  • List the five layers (strata) of the epidermis in thick skin.
    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
  • What is the stratum basale?
    Deepest epidermal layer with mitotically active stem cells; also contains melanocytes and tactile cells.
  • Describe the stratum spinosum.
    Several layers thick with spiny keratinocytes, abundant melanosomes, and dendritic cells.
  • What happens in the stratum granulosum?
    Cells flatten, organelles disintegrate, keratinization begins, and glycolipid granules form a water-resistant barrier.
  • Where is the stratum lucidum found and what is its characteristic?
    Only in thick skin; a thin, translucent layer of dead keratinocytes above the stratum granulosum.
  • What is the stratum corneum and its function?
    Outermost layer of 20–30 rows of dead, keratinized cells that protect deeper layers and prevent water loss.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis?
    Papillary layer (areolar connective tissue) and reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What are dermal papillae?
    Fingerlike projections of the papillary dermis that contain capillaries and sensory receptors.
  • What are cleavage lines and why are they important?
    Lines in the reticular dermis formed by collagen fiber orientation; important for surgical incisions to heal better.
  • Name the three pigments that contribute to skin color.
    Melanin, Carotene, and Hemoglobin.
  • What is the function of melanin in the skin?
    Protects skin cells from UV radiation by absorbing harmful rays.
  • What are the main functions of the integumentary system?
    Protection, temperature regulation, cutaneous sensation, metabolic functions, blood reservoir, excretion, and hormone synthesis.
  • Describe the chemical barrier function of the skin.
    Skin secretions like low pH, sebum, defensins, and melanin protect against bacteria and UV damage.
  • What are eccrine sweat glands and their function?
    Most numerous sweat glands that regulate body temperature by producing watery sweat.
  • What distinguishes apocrine sweat glands?
    Located in axillary and anogenital areas; secrete milky sweat with proteins and fatty substances, causing body odor.
  • What is the role of sebaceous glands?
    Secrete oily sebum that lubricates skin and hair and has bactericidal properties.
  • What is the ABCD rule for melanoma detection?
    A: Asymmetry, B: Border irregularity, C: Color variation, D: Diameter > 6 mm.
  • What are the three degrees of burns?
    First-degree: epidermal damage; second-degree: epidermal and upper dermal damage with blisters; third-degree: full-thickness skin damage.
  • Why are third-degree burns not painful?
    Nerve endings are destroyed in full-thickness skin damage.
  • What is the rule of nines?
    A method to estimate the extent of burns by dividing the body into regions representing 9% or multiples thereof.
  • What is the function of the arrector pili muscle?
    Small smooth muscle attached to hair follicles that causes 'goose bumps' when contracted.
  • What is the difference between vellus and terminal hair?
    Vellus hair is fine and pale; terminal hair is coarse, long, and pigmented.
  • What is alopecia?
    Hair thinning or baldness, often age-related or genetically influenced.