Human Biology Chapter: Skin and Glands

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of ceruminous glands?

  • To lubricate the hair follicles
  • To generate body heat through sweat production
  • To secrete sweat during physical exertion
  • To produce a waxy secretion that protects the ear canal (correct)

Which of the following statements is true about apocrine sweat glands?

  • They are responsible for sweat production during emotional stress (correct)
  • Their ducts open directly onto the skin surface
  • They secrete sweat during exercise only
  • They primarily function in regulating body temperature

What major components are found in each nail?

  • Epidermal cells and keratin filaments
  • Lunula and sebaceous gland
  • Nail bed and cuticle
  • Free edge, nail body, and nail root (correct)

Which of the following correctly describes eccrine sweat glands?

<p>They are primarily active during exercise (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of secretion is produced by ceruminous glands?

<p>Cerumen (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What pigment is primarily responsible for variations in skin color?

<p>Melanin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What condition is characterized by an inability to produce melanin?

<p>Albinism (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are melanocytes primarily located?

<p>Epidermis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of benign growth is a localized overgrowth of melanocytes called?

<p>Nevus (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What phenomenon explains why people's skin color varies despite a similar number of melanocytes?

<p>Amount of pigment produced (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of skin is referred to as the subcutaneous layer?

<p>Hypodermis (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the functions of the subcutaneous layer?

<p>Binding skin to underlying tissues (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Pacinian corpuscles are responsible for detecting which type of external stimulus?

<p>Pressure (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the largest organ of the body by surface area?

<p>Skin (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is dermatology focused on?

<p>The diagnosis and treatment of integumentary disorders (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the skin is the outer, thinner layer?

<p>Epidermis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the average weight of the skin in adults?

<p>4.5-5 kg (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the thickness range of the skin?

<p>0.5 – 4 mm (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What connects the skin to underlying tissues and organs?

<p>Hypodermis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered an accessory structure of the integumentary system?

<p>Muscles (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the skin is primarily made up of epithelial tissue?

<p>Epidermis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of ridges in the epidermis?

<p>To increase friction for better grip (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of the papillary region of the dermis?

<p>Made of areolar connective tissue with dermal papillae (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the skin is excessively stretched?

<p>It can form striae or stretch marks (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fibers are primarily found in the connective tissue of the dermis?

<p>Collagen and elastic fibers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do epidermal ridges reflect?

<p>The contours of the underlying dermal papillae (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of lines of cleavage in the skin?

<p>Indicate the predominant direction of collagen fibers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are corpuscles of touch located in the dermis?

<p>Throughout the papillary and reticular regions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What types of glands are found in the dermis?

<p>Sebaceous and sudoriferous glands (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pigment produced by melanocytes that leads to lighter skin tones and freckles?

<p>Phaeomelanin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of the uneven ridges created by the dermis?

<p>Creation of fingerprints (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is vitiligo characterized by?

<p>Partial or complete loss of melanocytes from skin patches (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following pigments gives the skin its yellow-orange color?

<p>Carotene (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which structure is NOT part of a hair?

<p>Sebaceous gland (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What primary function do hairs serve?

<p>Protection and sensing light touch (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How is hair color primarily determined?

<p>Amount and type of melanin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sebaceous glands?

<p>Secreting sebum to prevent dehydration. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do eccrine sweat glands primarily help with?

<p>Cooling the body through evaporation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Where are apocrine sweat glands mainly located?

<p>Axilla, groin, and beard areas (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What material primarily makes up hair?

<p>Dead, keratinized epidermal cells (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What role do accessory structures play in skin physiology?

<p>They protect, sensate, and help in temperature regulation. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What type of skin covers the palms and soles?

<p>Thick skin (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which function of the skin is primarily involved in regulating body temperature?

<p>Sweat gland stimulation (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

From which germ layer does the epidermis develop?

<p>Ectoderm (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a common effect of aging on the integumentary system?

<p>Wrinkling (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a function of the skin?

<p>Hormone production (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What happens to blood vessels in the skin when environmental temperature increases?

<p>They dilate to dissipate heat (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the growth of hair and nails with age is true?

<p>Their growth decreases (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fatty substance protects the epidermis of a fetus?

<p>Vernix caseosa (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which effect of aging on the skin does NOT typically occur?

<p>Increased elasticity (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of thin skin?

<p>Includes hair follicles (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Integumentary System

The largest organ of the body by surface area and weight, comprised of skin and its accessory structures like hair, nails, and glands.

Dermatology

The medical specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of disorders affecting the skin and its associated structures.

Epidermis

The outer, thinner layer of the skin, composed of epithelial tissue; it's responsible for protection, preventing water loss, and sensing touch.

Dermis

The inner, thicker layer of skin made of connective tissue; it contains blood vessels, nerves, and glands.

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Subcutaneous Layer (Hypodermis)

A layer of fat and loose connective tissue beneath the dermis, providing insulation and cushioning.

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Cutaneous

The study of the skin.

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Melanocytes

The specialized cells that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.

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Skin Cell Turnover

The overall process of replacing old skin cells with new ones.

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What is dermatoglyphics?

The study of the patterns of epidermal ridges, often used in forensic science and identification.

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What is melanin?

A brown-black pigment produced by melanocytes, responsible for skin color.

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What are melanocytes?

Specialized cells in the epidermis that produce melanin, responsible for skin color.

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What is the dermis?

The layer of skin containing melanocytes, blood vessels, and hair follicles.

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What is a nevus or mole?

An overgrowth of melanocytes, typically harmless, appearing as a dark mark on the skin.

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What is albinism?

A genetic condition where the body cannot produce melanin, leading to very pale skin, hair, and eyes.

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What is the subcutaneous layer?

The deeper layer beneath the dermis, not technically part of the skin, but containing fat and connecting the skin to underlying structures.

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What are lamellated corpuscles?

Sensory receptors in the subcutaneous layer that detect external pressure.

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Phaeomelanin

A type of melanin responsible for lighter pigments and freckles.

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Dermal Ridges

Uneven ridges on the epidermis that help bind it to the dermis, creating fingerprints.

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Reticular Region

A dense irregular connective tissue layer within the dermis that contains fibers, adipose cells, hair follicles, nerves, and glands.

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Papillary Region

The outer layer of the dermis containing areolar connective tissue, dermal papillae, and sensory receptors.

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Lines of Cleavage

Lines of cleavage in the skin that indicate the direction of underlying collagen fibers, important for surgery and wound healing.

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Striae

Stretch marks that appear when the skin is stretched too much, caused by tearing of collagen fibers in the dermis.

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Eccrine sweat glands

Sweat glands located in the skin, producing a watery secretion for cooling the body. They are most abundant on the palms, soles, and forehead.

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Apocrine sweat glands

Sweat glands that produce a thicker, oily sweat that mixes with bacteria to create body odor.

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Ceruminous glands

Modified sweat glands located in the ear canal that produce a waxy substance called cerumen (earwax).

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Nails

Hard keratinized epidermal cells that protect the ends of fingers and toes.

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Lunula

The whitish crescent shape visible at the base of the nail that represents the new nail growth.

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What is vitiligo?

A condition where there is a loss of melanocytes from patches of skin, leading to a loss of pigmentation.

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What is carotene?

Yellow-orange pigment contributing to skin color, found in the stratum corneum, dermis, and subcutaneous layer.

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What is hemoglobin?

A red pigment found in erythrocytes, responsible for the red color of blood, and thus contributes to skin color.

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What are accessory structures of the skin?

Hair, skin glands, and nails are all considered accessory structures of the skin.

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What is the hair shaft?

The part of a hair that projects above the skin's surface, composed of dead keratinized cells.

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What is the hair root?

The part of a hair that extends deep into the dermis, anchored within a hair follicle.

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What are lanugo hairs?

A type of hair present on the body during fetal development, typically shedding soon after birth.

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What are vellus hairs?

Short, fine hairs that cover most of the body, replacing lanugo hairs after birth.

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What are terminal hairs?

Thick, pigmented, and longer hairs found on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes, along with axillary and pubic regions.

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What are sebaceous glands?

Glands associated with hair follicles, secreting an oily substance called sebum that prevents dehydration of hair and skin, and inhibits bacterial growth.

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Thin Skin (Hairy Skin)

This type of skin covers most of the body and contains hair follicles, making it thinner and more flexible.

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Thick Skin (Hairless Skin)

This type of skin is thicker and lacks hair follicles, providing extra protection and grip for the hands and feet.

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Temperature Regulation

This skin function helps regulate body temperature. It involves blood vessel dilation for heat loss and sweating for cooling.

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Blood Reservoir

This function of the skin involves storing blood in the vessels of the dermis, acting as a reservoir for the body.

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Protection

The skin protects your body from physical trauma, harmful substances, and environmental factors.

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Cutaneous Sensations

This function allows you to feel sensations like touch, pain, temperature, and pressure.

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Excretion

The skin helps remove some waste products through sweat and releases substances like oils and sweat, aiding in excretion.

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Absorption

The skin absorbs some substances like medications or cosmetic products.

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Vitamin D Synthesis

The skin uses sunlight to synthesize Vitamin D, which is essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

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Epidermal Wound Healing

This refers to the process of healing a wound that involves cell division and regeneration of the epidermis.

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Study Notes

Integumentary System

  • The integumentary system includes the skin and its accessory structures like hair, nails, and glands.
  • Dermatology is the medical specialty for diagnosing and treating integumentary system disorders.
  • Skin functions include: protecting deeper tissues from mechanical, chemical, microbial, UV, and thermal damage; aiding in body heat loss/retention; excretion; vitamin D synthesis.

Skin Structure

  • The skin, the body's largest organ, is a cutaneous membrane.
  • It has two main layers: epidermis (outer, thinner layer) and dermis (inner, thicker layer). A subcutaneous (hypodermis) layer attaches the skin to underlying tissues.

Epidermis

  • Primarily composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.
  • Contains keratinocytes (which produce keratin), melanocytes (produce melanin), Langerhans cells (immune responses), and Merkel cells (sensation of touch).
  • Has four or five layers, depending on skin type (thin vs thick).
  • Stratum basale is the deepest (base) layer, where cells divide and migrate to form the other layers.
  • Stratum corneum is the outermost layer, composed of dead, keratinized cells.
  • Stratum lucidum (clear layer) is only present in thick skin.

Dermis

  • Primarily composed of connective tissue, collagen, and elastic fibers.
  • Contains two layers: papillary layer (thin, areolar connective tissue) and reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue).
  • Contains sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerves.
  • Dermal papillae increase skin firmness.
  • Features lines of cleavage, tension lines in the skin, which reflect the predominant direction of collagen fibers.

Subcutaneous Layer

  • Also called the hypodermis
  • Not part of the skin itself
  • Attaches skin to underlying tissues and organs.
  • Contains blood vessels, nerves, and adipose tissue.

Accessory Structures

  • Hair, nails, and glands.
  • Hair: composed of keratinized cells (follicle, root sheath, shaft). Protects, senses, and helps with heat loss.
  • Nails: hard keratinized plates that protect the fingertips and toes.
  • Skin glands: include sebaceous (oil) glands and sudoriferous (sweat) glands (apocrine and eccrine).
    • Sebaceous glands secrete sebum.
    • Sudoriferous glands secrete sweat. Ceruminous glands modify sweat glands found in the ear canal.

Skin Pigmentation

  • Skin color is determined by melanin (produced by melanocytes), carotene, and hemoglobin.
  • Melanin provides UV protection.
  • Variations in skin color result from differences in the types and quantities of pigments produced.

Skin Functions (again)

  • Temperature regulation, blood reservoir, protection, sensations, excretion, vitamin D synthesis.

Skin Aging

  • Skin wrinkles.
  • Decreased immune responsiveness.
  • Dehydration and cracking.
  • Decreased sweat and melanin production.
  • Loss of subcutaneous fat leads to decreased skin thickness.
  • Increased susceptibility to diseases.
  • Nails and hair growth may decrease.

Epidermal Wound Healing

  • The outermost layer (epidermis), recovers faster, via division of basal epithelial cells and migration across the wound, often followed by thickening.

Deep Wound Healing

  • Deeper layers (dermis and subcutaneous tissues) take longer to heal through complex processes involving inflammation, blood clot formation, and scar tissue formation.

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