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Questions and Answers
What is the main function of the hypodermis?
Which of the following cells is responsible for producing melanin?
What is the main function of the stratum corneum?
Which layer of the epidermis is firmly attached to the dermis?
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What is the main function of dendritic cells?
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What is the main function of the dermis?
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What is the main function of tactile cells?
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What is the main function of keratinocytes?
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How many layers does thin skin contain?
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What is the name of the layer of the epidermis that contains a weblike system of intermediate prekeratin filaments attached to desmosomes?
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Study Notes
Integumentary System
- Consists of skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous (oil) glands
Skin Layers
- Epidermis: superficial region, consists of epithelial tissue, avascular
- Dermis: underlies epidermis, mostly fibrous connective tissue, vascular
- Hypodermis (superficial fascia): subcutaneous layer, not part of skin, mostly adipose tissue, absorbs shock and insulates, anchors skin to underlying structures
Epidermis
- Consists mostly of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
- Four cell types: keratinocytes, melanocytes, dendritic (Langerhans) cells, and tactile (Merkel) cells
- Keratinocytes: produce fibrous keratin, majority of epidermal cells, tightly connected by desmosomes
- Melanocytes: produce melanin, spider-shaped cells located in deepest epidermis
- Dendritic cells: star-shaped macrophages, key activators of immune system
- Tactile cells: sensory receptors that sense touch
Epidermal Layers
- Thick skin: five layers, found in high-abrasion areas (hands, feet)
- Thin skin: four layers, found in other areas
- Stratum basale: deepest layer, single row of stem cells, actively divides, producing two daughter cells
- Stratum spinosum: several cell layers thick, cells contain weblike system of intermediate prekeratin filaments
- Stratum granulosum: four to six cells thick, cells flatten, nuclei and organelles disintegrate, keratinization begins
- Stratum lucidum: found only in thick skin, thin, translucent band of two to three rows of clear, flat, dead keratinocytes
- Stratum corneum: 20–30 rows of flat, anucleated, keratinized dead cells, accounts for three-quarters of epidermal thickness
Dermis
- Superficial layer of areolar connective tissue
- Consists of loose, interlacing collagen and elastic fibers and blood vessels
- Loose fibers allow phagocytes to patrol for microorganisms
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Description
This quiz covers the structure and function of the human body's integumentary system, including the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.
