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Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology

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  • What are the main components of the integumentary system?
    Skin, sweat glands, oil glands, hair, nails, and subcutaneous tissue.
  • What are the primary functions of the integumentary system?
    Protection, sensation, temperature regulation, and metabolic functions.
  • Name the two primary layers of the skin.
    Epidermis and dermis.
  • What is the subcutaneous tissue and its function?
    A layer beneath the skin composed mostly of adipose tissue; provides insulation, shock absorption, and anchors skin.
  • List the four main cell types in the epidermis.
    Keratinocytes, melanocytes, dendritic (Langerhans) cells, and tactile (Merkel) cells.
  • What is the role of keratinocytes?
    Produce keratin, providing strength and waterproofing; they are the most abundant epidermal cells.
  • Which epidermal layer contains mitotically active stem cells and melanocytes?
    Stratum basale.
  • What is the stratum corneum?
    The outermost epidermal layer with 20–30 layers of dead, keratinized cells that protect and prevent water loss.
  • What distinguishes thick skin from thin skin?
    Thick skin has all five epidermal layers including stratum lucidum; thin skin lacks the stratum lucidum.
  • Describe the dermis and its two layers.
    A vascular connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis; includes the papillary dermis (areolar tissue with capillaries) and reticular dermis (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What are friction ridges and their function?
    Raised patterns formed by dermal papillae that enhance grip and create fingerprints.
  • Which pigments determine skin color?
    Melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin.
  • What is the function of melanocytes?
    Produce melanin pigment that protects DNA from UV radiation.
  • What are the three layers of the hair shaft?
    Medulla (core), cortex (middle), and cuticle (outer).
  • What is the arrector pili muscle?
    A smooth muscle attached to hair follicles that causes 'goose bumps' when contracted.
  • Differentiate between vellus and terminal hair.
    Vellus hair is fine, pale body hair; terminal hair is coarse, long hair found on scalp, eyebrows, and other regions.
  • What are the parts of a nail?
    Root (embedded), nail plate (visible), free edge, nail bed, and nail matrix (growth zone).
  • What are eccrine sweat glands and their function?
    Most numerous sweat glands that secrete watery sweat for thermoregulation; found on palms, soles, and forehead.
  • What distinguishes apocrine sweat glands?
    Located in axillary and anogenital areas; secrete viscous sweat starting at puberty; may act as scent glands.
  • What is sebum and which glands produce it?
    An oily substance that lubricates and waterproofs skin and hair; produced by sebaceous glands.
  • Name the three types of skin cancer and their origins.
    Basal cell carcinoma (from stratum basale), squamous cell carcinoma (from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum), melanoma (from melanocytes).
  • What is the ABCDE rule for melanoma detection?
    Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolution.
  • Describe the three degrees of burns.
    First-degree: epidermal damage; second-degree: epidermal and upper dermal damage with blisters; third-degree: full-thickness damage, nerve endings destroyed.
  • What is the Rule of Nines used for?
    Estimating the total body surface area affected by burns to guide fluid replacement.
  • From which embryonic layers do the epidermis and dermis develop?
    Epidermis from ectoderm; dermis and subcutaneous tissue from mesoderm.
  • What changes occur in the skin from infancy to adulthood?
    Skin thickens, glands activate, acne may develop in adolescence; aging causes thinning, dryness, decreased elasticity, and increased cancer risk.
  • How does the skin contribute to body temperature regulation?
    Through insensible and sensible perspiration and vasodilation or vasoconstriction of dermal blood vessels.
  • What metabolic function does the skin perform related to vitamin D?
    Synthesizes vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption.