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Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (24)

  • What are the main components of the integumentary system?
    Skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands.
  • List the primary functions of the integumentary system.
    Protection, temperature regulation, stimulus perception, excretion, vitamin D synthesis, and blood/water reservoir.
  • What are the two main layers of the skin?
    Epidermis (superficial, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, avascular) and dermis (dense irregular connective tissue, vascular).
  • What is the hypodermis and its functions?
    Also called the subcutaneous layer, it anchors skin to muscles, acts as a shock absorber and insulator, and contains pressure-sensitive Pacinian corpuscles.
  • Name the four types of cells found in the epidermis.
    Keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells.
  • What is the role of keratinocytes?
    Produce keratin, a fibrous protein that waterproofs and protects the skin; they make up most epidermal cells.
  • Where are melanocytes located and what do they produce?
    Located in the deepest epidermis; produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and UV protection.
  • What are the five layers of the epidermis from deepest to most superficial?
    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.
  • Describe the stratum basale.
    Deepest epidermal layer; single layer of mitotic cells including 10-25% melanocytes; replaces dead cells.
  • What is the function of the stratum corneum?
    Many layers of dead, keratinized cells that protect deeper layers, prevent water loss, and act as a physical barrier.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis?
    Papillary layer (areolar connective tissue with dermal papillae) and reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What are dermal papillae and their function?
    Fingerlike projections of the papillary layer containing capillaries and touch receptors; contribute to fingerprints.
  • What causes cleavage (tension) lines in the reticular layer?
    Parallel running collagen fibers; important for surgical incisions as cuts parallel to these lines heal better.
  • Which pigments contribute to skin color?
    Melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin.
  • What is the function of melanin?
    Protects skin DNA from UV damage by absorbing sunlight; produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale.
  • Describe the structure of a hair shaft.
    Composed of medulla (central core), cortex (flattened cells surrounding medulla), and cuticle (outer overlapping cells).
  • What is the arrector pili muscle and its function?
    A small smooth muscle attached to hair follicles; contracts to cause hair to stand up, producing 'goose bumps'.
  • What are the main parts of a nail?
    Free edge, nail plate, root, nail matrix (growth area), nail folds, eponychium (cuticle), and hyponychium.
  • What are sebaceous glands and their secretion?
    Oil glands associated with hair follicles; secrete sebum to lubricate skin and inhibit bacterial growth.
  • Differentiate between eccrine and apocrine sweat glands.
    Eccrine glands regulate temperature via watery sweat; apocrine glands (axillary/genital) secrete milky sweat with proteins, active from puberty.
  • What are the three major types of skin cancer?
    Basal cell carcinoma (least malignant), squamous cell carcinoma (can metastasize), and melanoma (most dangerous).
  • What is the ABCD rule for melanoma detection?
    A: Asymmetry, B: Border irregularity, C: Color variation, D: Diameter > 6 mm.
  • How are burns classified by severity?
    First degree: epidermal damage; second degree: epidermal and upper dermal damage with blisters; third degree: full thickness skin damage.
  • What is the Rule of Nines in burn assessment?
    Body divided into 11 sections each representing 9% of surface area to estimate fluid loss from burns.