Chapter 5: The Integumentary System Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Name the four elements that make up the Integumentary System.

Skin, sweat/oil glands, hair and nails

Which element is known to be our largest organ?

Skin

What are the two distinct layers of the skin and what are they made from?

Epidermis (outermost layer) epithelial tissue; Dermis (innermost layer) connective tissue

What layer lies deep to the Dermis?

Hypodermis Signup and view all the answers

What layer is not part of the skin but closely related structurally and functionally and is mostly made of fat?

Hypodermis Signup and view all the answers

Where is thick skin usually found?

On the soles of our feet and palms of our hands Signup and view all the answers

What are the two layers of the Dermis and which is the smaller of the two?

Papillary and Reticular layers; Papillary is the smaller of the two Signup and view all the answers

Name the 6 functions of the skin and hypodermis.

<ol> <li>Cushions/insulates deeper organs; 2. Protects body from bumps, scrapes and cuts; 3. Protects body from chemicals, heat, and cold; 4. Acts as a mini-excretory system; 5. Produces Vitamin D; 6. Contains sensory receptors associated with nerve endings</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four main cell types found in the epidermis?

Keratinocytes, Melanocytes, Tactile epithelial cells, and Dendritic cells Signup and view all the answers

These cells produce keratin and are found in all four layers of the epidermis.

Keratinocytes Signup and view all the answers

These cells produce skin color.

Melanocytes Signup and view all the answers

These cells give us touch sensation.

Tactile epithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

These cells are macrophages; they play a role in the immune system using endocytosis.

Dendritic cells Signup and view all the answers

A tough fibrous protein that helps to toughen the superficial part of the skin is known as what?

Keratin Signup and view all the answers

Name 4 characteristics of Keratinocytes.

<ol> <li>Produce keratin; 2. Arise from the deepest layer of the epidermis; 3. Produce antibodies and enzymes to fight off microorganisms; 4. Start in the deep layer of the epidermis, work their way further away from nutrient sources and are found dead at the skin's surface.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Name the 5 layers of the epidermis and specify which one is only present in thick skin.

Stratum Basale, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Lucidum (only in thick skin), Stratum Corneum Signup and view all the answers

Which layer is the deepest layer of the epidermis attached to the underlying dermis, where cells actively divide?

Stratum Basale Signup and view all the answers

Name the three types of cells found in the Stratum Basale.

Keratinocytes, Merkel cells, and Melanocytes Signup and view all the answers

What is the correlation between Melanin and light skin?

In lighter skin individuals, the melanin gets digested or destroyed in the cells; the more melanin, the darker the skin. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of having Melanin?

Melanin protects the nucleus of Keratinocytes from UV damage. Signup and view all the answers

What are the structures of keratinocytes as they become more superficial?

Initially, they are cuboidal; as they reach the surface, they become squamous because they die and flatten. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer has a 'spiny' appearance caused by artifacts of histological preparation?

Stratum Spinosum Signup and view all the answers

Which layer consists of keratinocytes and keratohyaline granules that help form keratin?

Stratum Granulosum Signup and view all the answers

Explain lamellated granules.

They contain a waterproofing glycolipid that prevents water loss. Signup and view all the answers

What are two unique characteristics of the Stratum Granulosum layer?

It is the last layer with living keratinocytes, and this layer needs keratin because as skin cells get more superficial, they need to become tougher. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer occurs only in thick skin and is composed of a few rows of flat, dead keratinocytes?

Stratum Lucidum Signup and view all the answers

Which layer is known as the 'horny' layer and protects skin against abrasion and penetration?

Stratum Corneum Signup and view all the answers

Describe a callus, why we need it, and which layer it is closely related to.

A callus is a way for the body to overcome mechanical stress because it adds more layers of skin. It is good for mechanical stress in the stratum corneum layer. Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the dermis contains the dermal papillae?

Papillary layer Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the dermis consists of 80% of the thickness of the dermis?

Reticular layer Signup and view all the answers

Name 3 important characteristics of the Dermis.

<ol> <li>Second major layer of the skin; 2. Strong, flexible connective tissue; 3. Richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Where do the ridges in your fingers come from and why are they useful?

They come from the dermis and are used for friction to hold onto things. Signup and view all the answers

What do surgeons do during surgery to reduce scarring and improve healing?

Cut along the cleavage line of the reticular dermis. Signup and view all the answers

What are the two important reasons for having dermal papillae?

<ol> <li>Increase surface area for exchange and diffusion between the dermis and epidermis; 2. To keep the two layers stuck together, especially to avoid blisters.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the four characteristics of the Hypodermis?

<ol> <li>Deep to the skin (aka the superficial fascia); 2. Contains areolar and adipose connective tissue; 3. Anchors skin to underlying structures for mechanical support; 4. Helps to insulate the body.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What happens inside our body as we get older that makes us colder?

Our hypodermis is largely made of adipose tissue which is a good insulator. As we get older, our hypodermis gets thinner, therefore, we feel colder. Signup and view all the answers

What are the three pigments that contribute to skin color?

Melanin, Carotene, and Hemoglobin Signup and view all the answers

This pigment is the most important pigment.

Melanin Signup and view all the answers

This pigment is yellowish and comes from carrots.

Carotene Signup and view all the answers

This pigment allows the crimson color of blood to show through the skin of lighter-skinned individuals.

Hemoglobin Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Integumentary System Overview

Comprised of skin, sweat/oil glands, hair, and nails.
Skin is the largest organ of the body.

Skin Structure

Two distinct layers:
- Epidermis: outermost layer made of epithelial tissue.
- Dermis: innermost layer made of connective tissue.
Hypodermis lies deep to the dermis and is mainly composed of fat.

Skin Characteristics

Thick skin is found on the soles of feet and palms of hands.
The dermis contains two layers:
- Papillary: smaller layer.
- Reticular: larger layer.

Functions of the Skin and Hypodermis

Cushions and insulates organs.
Protects against physical damage, chemicals, heat, and cold.
Acts as an excretory system and synthesizes Vitamin D.
Houses sensory receptors associated with nerve endings.

Epidermal Cell Types

Four main cell types:
- Keratinocytes: produce keratin and found in all layers.
- Melanocytes: produce skin color.
- Tactile epithelial cells: responsible for touch sensation.
- Dendritic cells: macrophages involved in immune response.

Epidermal Layers

Five layers identified, with one unique to thick skin:
- Stratum Basale (deepest, actively dividing).
- Stratum Spinosum ("spiny" appearance with keratinocytes).
- Stratum Granulosum: contains keratin and lamellated granules.
- Stratum Lucidum: present only in thick skin, composed of dead keratinocytes.
- Stratum Corneum: most superficial, thick layer of dead keratinocytes.

Keratin and Keratinocytes

Keratin: a tough protein crucial for skin toughness.
Keratinocytes characteristics:
- Produce keratin and antibodies.
- Die and become squamous as they move to the surface from the nutrient-rich deep layer.

Melanin and Skin Color

Melanin protects keratinocyte nuclei from UV damage.
Correlation between melanin levels and skin color: more melanin results in darker skin.

Dermis Structure

Comprises the papillary layer (contains dermal papillae) and reticular layer (80% of dermal thickness).
Features include being strong, flexible, and richly supplied with vessels and nerves.
Finger ridges originate from the dermis, enhancing grip.

Dermal Papillae

Increase surface area for nutrient exchange and strengthen the bond between dermis and epidermis to prevent blisters.

Hypodermis Characteristics

Deep to skin, acts as superficial fascia.
Contains areolar and adipose connective tissues that anchor skin and provide insulation.
Thinning of hypodermis with age leads to increased sensitivity to cold.

Skin Pigmentation

Three pigments contributing to skin color:
- Melanin: most significant pigment.
- Carotene: yellowish, sourced from carrots.
- Hemoglobin: gives a crimson hue to lighter skin individuals.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the integumentary system with these flashcards. This quiz covers the essential elements like the skin, glands, and hair, along with their functions and layers. Perfect for students studying human anatomy.