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Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology

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Terms in this set (22)

  • What components make up the integumentary system?
    The integumentary system is composed of skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, oil glands, and mammary glands.
  • What are the main functions of the integumentary system?
    Physical protection, regulation of body temperature, excretion, nutrition synthesis, sensation, and immune defense.
  • What are the two main subdivisions of the skin?
    Epidermis (stratified squamous epithelium) and dermis (underlying loose connective tissue).
  • What lies deep to the dermis?
    The subcutaneous layer, which is beneath the dermis.
  • What are the accessory structures of the integumentary system?
    Accessory structures include hair, nails, and many multicellular exocrine glands.
  • What is the most abundant cell type in the epidermis?
    Keratinocytes are the most abundant cells in the epidermis.
  • Name the four main cell types found in the epidermis.
    Keratinocytes, melanocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells.
  • What is the function of melanocytes?
    Melanocytes produce pigment and are found deep in the epidermis.
  • What role do Merkel cells play?
    Merkel cells function as sensory cells in the epidermis.
  • What are Langerhans cells?
    Langerhans cells are fixed macrophages involved in immune defense.
  • What is hair composed of and where does it originate?
    Hair is a nonliving keratinized structure that extends beyond the skin surface and originates from hair follicles.
  • What percentage of body hair is not on the head?
    Approximately 98% of the 5 million hairs on the body are not on the head.
  • How does the integument respond to mechanical stress?
    Mechanical stress triggers stem cell divisions resulting in callus formation.
  • What happens when the integument is severely damaged?
    Severe damage may result in acellular scar tissue due to incomplete healing.
  • What are the layers of the epidermis from deepest to most superficial?
    Stratum germinativum (basale), stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum.
  • What is the function of the stratum germinativum?
    It is the innermost basal layer attached to the basal lamina and contains epidermal stem cells, melanocytes, and Merkel cells.
  • What characterizes the stratum spinosum?
    Keratinocytes are bound by macula adherens (desmosomes) to provide strength.
  • What occurs in the stratum granulosum?
    Keratinocytes produce keratohyalin and keratin, forming fibers and cells that become water-resistant.
  • Where is the stratum lucidum found and what is its appearance?
    Found only in thick skin, it appears as a glassy layer.
  • What is the role of the stratum corneum?
    It is the outermost layer with multiple layers of dead, waterproof keratinized cells that are lost by desquamation.
  • What are the two layers of the dermis?
    The papillary layer (loose connective tissue) and the reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • What functions does the dermis provide?
    The dermis nourishes and supports the epidermis, provides strength, elasticity, and contains blood vessels, nerves, and glands.