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Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (25)

  • What are the two main components of the skin?
    The skin consists of the epidermis, a keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, and the dermis, made of loose and dense irregular connective tissue.
  • What is the hypodermis and its function?
    The hypodermis is a layer deep to the dermis made of loose connective and adipose tissue; it anchors the skin to deeper structures like muscle and bone.
  • List the primary functions of the integumentary system.
    Functions include protection, sensation, thermoregulation, excretion, and vitamin D synthesis.
  • How does the skin protect against pathogens and mechanical trauma?
    The keratinized stratified squamous epithelium forms a continuous barrier, and glands create an acidic pH that inhibits pathogen growth.
  • Describe the process of thermoregulation when body temperature rises.
    Thermoreceptors detect heat, the hypothalamus triggers sweating and cutaneous vasodilation, increasing heat loss until normal temperature is restored.
  • What happens during thermoregulation when body temperature drops?
    Thermoreceptors detect cold, hypothalamus causes vasoconstriction to reduce blood flow and heat loss, conserving body heat until temperature normalizes.
  • What is the role of vitamin D synthesis in the skin?
    Cells in the epidermis convert inactive cholecalciferol to active calcitriol, essential for calcium absorption needed for nerve function, muscle contraction, and bone health.
  • Name the five layers of the epidermis from deep to superficial.
    Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.
  • What are keratinocytes and their key features?
    Keratinocytes make up 95% of the epidermis, produce keratin for strength, and are connected by desmosomes to resist mechanical trauma.
  • What is the function of the stratum granulosum?
    Cells contain granules with keratin bundles or lipid substances that waterproof the skin, maintaining fluid and electrolyte homeostasis.
  • What distinguishes thick skin from thin skin?
    Thick skin has all five epidermal layers including a thick stratum corneum and no hair follicles; thin skin lacks the stratum lucidum and has hair follicles.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis and their characteristics?
    The papillary layer is superficial, made of loose connective tissue with capillaries and tactile corpuscles; the reticular layer is deeper, dense irregular connective tissue with collagen and elastic fibers.
  • What is the function of dermal papillae?
    Dermal papillae increase surface area for oxygen and nutrient diffusion to the avascular epidermis and contain tactile (Meissner) corpuscles for light touch sensation.
  • How do collagen and elastic fibers function in the reticular dermis?
    Collagen bundles strengthen the dermis and protect deeper tissues; elastic fibers allow the skin to return to its original shape after stretching.
  • What causes skin pigmentation and what is melanin's primary function?
    Melanin, produced by melanocytes in the stratum basale, protects keratinocyte DNA from UV radiation-induced mutations.
  • How does UV radiation affect melanin production?
    UV causes immediate melanin oxidation darkening existing pigment and delayed increased melanin synthesis within 72 hours to protect skin.
  • What are the accessory structures of the integumentary system?
    Hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands derived from epithelium that assist skin functions.
  • Describe the structure and function of hair.
    Hair consists of a shaft and root made of keratinized epithelial cells; it protects areas like eyes and scalp and has sensory neurons for environmental detection.
  • What is the arrector pili muscle and its function?
    A small smooth muscle attached to hair follicles; contraction causes hair to stand (piloerection), producing 'goosebumps'.
  • What are the types of sweat glands and their functions?
    Eccrine glands regulate temperature by secreting watery sweat; apocrine glands produce protein-rich sweat in specific areas; ceruminous glands produce ear wax; mammary glands produce milk.
  • What is sebum and its role?
    Sebum is an oily secretion from sebaceous glands that coats hair, provides a hydrophobic barrier, and inhibits bacterial growth.
  • What is the rule of nines in burn assessment?
    A method dividing the body into 11 areas of 9% each to estimate burn extent and guide treatment.
  • Differentiate between first, second, and third-degree burns.
    First-degree burns affect only the epidermis; second-degree burns affect epidermis and part/all of dermis with blistering; third-degree burns extend through epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, and possibly deeper tissues.
  • What are the three main types of skin cancer?
    Basal cell carcinoma (from stratum basale keratinocytes), squamous cell carcinoma (from stratum spinosum keratinocytes), and malignant melanoma (from melanocytes).
  • What is the ABCDE rule for melanoma detection?
    (A) Asymmetry, (B) Border irregularity, (C) Color variation, (D) Diameter >6 mm, (E) Evolving shape or size.