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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?
    A layer beneath the skin made of adipose and areolar tissue; anchors skin to muscles, acts as shock absorber and insulator, 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, abrasion, and penetration.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis?
    Papillary layer (areolar connective tissue with dermal papillae) and reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What structures are found in the papillary layer of the dermis?
    Capillaries, free nerve endings, and Meissner's corpuscles (touch receptors) within dermal papillae.
  • What is the significance of cleavage (tension) lines in the reticular layer?
    Parallel collagen fibers create cleavage lines 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 cell DNA from UV damage by absorbing sunlight; determines skin color.
  • Describe the structure of a hair shaft.
    Composed of medulla (central core), cortex (flattened cells surrounding medulla), and cuticle (outer overlapping single cell layers).
  • What is the arrector pili muscle and its function?
    A small smooth muscle attached to hair follicles; contracts to raise hair causing 'goose bumps' in response to cold or fright.
  • 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, a mixture of cholesterol, fats, and cell fragments that protect skin and inhibit bacteria.
  • Differentiate between eccrine and apocrine sweat glands.
    Eccrine glands are numerous, regulate temperature, secrete watery sweat; apocrine glands are in axillary/genital areas, secrete milky sweat with proteins and fats.
  • What are the three major types of skin cancer?
    Basal cell carcinoma (least malignant), squamous cell carcinoma (can metastasize), and melanoma (most dangerous, highly metastatic).
  • 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 and burn severity.