Integumentary System Overview

Questions and Answers

What are the two major components of the integumentary system?

Cutaneous membrane, Accessory structures

What are the two components of the cutaneous membrane?

Epidermis, Dermis

What is the hypodermis?

Loose connective tissue deep to the dermis that separates the integument from the deep fascia around other organs

What are the general functions of the skin and hypodermis? (List 7)

Protection of underlying tissues and organs, Excretion of salts, water, and organic wastes, Maintenance of body temperature, Production of keratin, Synthesis of vitamin D, Storage of lipids, Detection of touch, pressure, pain, and temperature stimuli Signup and view all the answers

What layer is in thick skin and not in thin skin?

Stratum Lucidum Signup and view all the answers

Where do you find thick skin?

Palms of the hands and soles of the feet Signup and view all the answers

What are the layers of the skin from most deep to most superficial?

Stratum basale, Stratum spinosum, Stratum granulosum, Stratum lucidum, Stratum corneum Signup and view all the answers

What are the two factors in the color of the epidermis?

Dermal blood supply, Epidermal pigmentation Signup and view all the answers

What is insensible perspiration?

Water loss that you are unable to feel or see Signup and view all the answers

What is sensible perspiration?

Water loss that you are aware of Signup and view all the answers

What is carotene?

Orange-yellow pigment that normally accumulates in epidermal cells Signup and view all the answers

What is keratin?

Tough, fibrous protein that is the basic component of hair and nails Signup and view all the answers

What is keratinization?

The formation of protective, superficial layers of cells filled with keratin Signup and view all the answers

What is melanin?

A brown, yellow-brown, or black pigment produced by melanocytes Signup and view all the answers

Where will you find melanocytes?

Stratum basale Signup and view all the answers

What protects your skin from significant amounts of ultraviolet radiation?

Melanin Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the pigment in red blood cells?

Hemoglobin Signup and view all the answers

What is cyanosis?

When skin takes on a blue coloration Signup and view all the answers

How is vitamin D3 made in the body?

When epidermal cells in the stratum spinosum and stratum basale are exposed to ultraviolet radiation and convert a cholesterol-related steroid into the vitamin Signup and view all the answers

What vitamin is needed in order to synthesize the hormone calcitriol?

Vitamin D3 Signup and view all the answers

What is the ABCDE of skin cancer characteristics?

A - Asymmetry, B - Border, C - Color, D - Diameter, E - Evolution Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the roles of EGF?

Promoting the division of basal cells in the stratum basale and stratum spinosum, Accelerating the production of keratin in differentiating keratinocytes, Stimulating epidermal development and epidermal repair after injury, Stimulating synthetic activity and secretion by epithelial glands Signup and view all the answers

What are the two major components in the dermis?

Papillary layer, Reticular layer Signup and view all the answers

What is dermatitis?

An inflammation of the skin that primarily involves the papillary layer Signup and view all the answers

What happens when you cut parallel to a cleavage line?

It will usually remain closed and heal with little scarring Signup and view all the answers

What do nerve fibers in the skin do?

Control blood flow, Adjust gland secretion rates, Monitor sensory receptors in the dermis and the deepest layers of the epidermis Signup and view all the answers

What are tactile discs?

Sensory terminals that monitor the tactile cells located in the deepest layers of the epidermis Signup and view all the answers

What are tactile corpuscles?

Receptors that are sensitive to light touch located in the dermal papillae Signup and view all the answers

What are lamellated corpuscles?

Receptors that are sensitive to deep pressure and vibration located in the reticular layer Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason why the hypodermis is important?

It is important in stabilizing the position of the skin in relation to underlying tissues while permitting independent movement Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of subcutaneous fat?

Provides extra insulation, Reduces heat loss, Energy reserve, Shock absorber Signup and view all the answers

What surrounds the base of each hair follicle?

A plexus of sensory nerves Signup and view all the answers

What happens when the arrector pili contracts?

It causes 'goose bumps' Signup and view all the answers

What is club hair?

When a follicle becomes inactive at the end of the hair growth cycle Signup and view all the answers

What are vellus hairs?

Fine 'peach fuzz' hairs located all over the body Signup and view all the answers

What are terminal hairs?

Heavy, more deeply pigmented, and sometimes curly Signup and view all the answers

Why do people get white hairs?

Lack of pigment, Presence of air bubbles in the medulla of the hair shaft Signup and view all the answers

What are sebaceous glands?

(Oil glands) Holocrine glands that discharge an oily lipid secretion into hair follicles Signup and view all the answers

What are some functions of sebum?

Inhibits the growth of bacteria, Lubricates and protects keratin of hair shaft, Conditions surrounding skin Signup and view all the answers

What are sebaceous follicles?

Large sebaceous glands that are not associated with hair follicles; their ducts discharge sebum onto the epidermis Signup and view all the answers

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

An inflammation around abnormally active sebaceous glands Signup and view all the answers

What are the two types of sudoriferous glands?

Apocrine sweat glands, Merocrine sweat glands Signup and view all the answers

Where are apocrine glands located and where do they discharge?

Located in the armpits, around the nipples, and in the pubic region; Secrete their products into hair follicles Signup and view all the answers

Where do merocrine glands secrete their products?

Directly onto the surface of the skin Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of merocrine sweat gland activity?

Cooling the surface of the skin to reduce body temperature, Excreting water and electrolytes, Providing protection from environmental hazards Signup and view all the answers

What are ceruminous glands?

Modified sweat glands in the passageway of the external ear Signup and view all the answers

What controls the activation and deactivation of sebaceous and apocrine glands at the subconscious level?

Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) Signup and view all the answers

Where does nail production occur?

Nail root Signup and view all the answers

What does the body of the nail consist of?

Dead, tightly compressed cells packed with keratin Signup and view all the answers

What is granulation tissue?

The combination of blood clot, fibroblasts, and an extensive capillary network Signup and view all the answers

What is a keloid?

Thick, raised area of scar tissue Signup and view all the answers

What are the four steps for the repair of injury to the integument?

Inflammatory phase, Migratory phase, Proliferation phase, Maturation phase Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Integumentary System

Composed of cutaneous membrane and accessory structures.
Cutaneous membrane consists of the epidermis and dermis.

Hypodermis

Contains loose connective tissue separating the integument from deeper organs and fascia.

Functions of Skin and Hypodermis

Provides protection to underlying tissues and organs.
Facilitates excretion of salts, water, and organic wastes.
Regulates body temperature.
Produces keratin for protection.
Synthesizes vitamin D from UV exposure.
Stores lipids for energy.
Detects sensations like touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.

Skin Layers

Thick skin contains the stratum lucidum; thick skin found on palms and soles.
Skin layers from deep to superficial: stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum.

Epidermis Color Factors

Influenced by dermal blood supply and epidermal pigmentation.

Perspiration Types

Insensible perspiration: imperceptible water loss.
Sensible perspiration: noticeable water loss.

Skin Pigments

Carotene: orange-yellow pigment found in epidermal cells.
Melanin: brown to black pigment produced by melanocytes, located in stratum basale, protects skin from UV radiation.
Hemoglobin: pigment in red blood cells affecting skin color.
Cyanosis indicates blue coloration of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

Vitamin D Production

Vitamin D3 synthesized when epidermal cells in lower layers convert cholesterol-related substances upon UV exposure.

Skin Cancer Characteristics

ABCDE: Asymmetry, Border, Color, Diameter, Evolution.

EGF Functions

Promotes cell division in basal and spinosum layers.
Accelerates keratin production in keratinocytes.
Stimulates skin development and repair after injury.
Enhances the activity of epithelial glands.

Dermis Structure

Composed of papillary and reticular layers.
Dermatitis is inflammation affecting the papillary layer.

Cut Healing

Cutting parallel to cleavage lines leads to faster healing with minimal scarring.

Nerve Fiber Functions

Regulate blood flow and adjust gland secretion.
Monitor sensory receptors in dermis and epidermis.

Sensory Receptors

Tactile discs: detect touch, located in deepest epidermal layer.
Tactile corpuscles: sensitive to light touch in dermal papillae.
Lamellated corpuscles: responsive to deep pressure and vibration in reticular layer.

Hypodermis Importance

Stabilizes skin position relative to underlying tissues and allows independent movement.

Functions of Subcutaneous Fat

Provides insulation, reduces heat loss, serves as energy reserve, and acts as a shock absorber.

Hair Follicles

Surrounded by a sensory nerve plexus.
Arrector pili muscle contraction causes goosebumps.
Club hair results from inactive hair follicles.
Vellus hairs are fine body hairs; terminal hairs are thicker, pigmented, and may be curly.
White hair results from lack of pigment or presence of air bubbles in hair shaft.

Sebaceous Glands

Oil glands that secrete oily substances into hair follicles.
Sebum inhibits bacterial growth, lubricates hair, and conditions skin.
Sebaceous follicles release sebum directly onto the epidermis.

Sudoriferous Glands

Apocrine sweat glands located in specific areas (armpits, nipples) and discharge into hair follicles.
Merocrine glands secrete directly onto skin surface, aiding in cooling, excretion, and protection.

Ceruminous Glands

Modified sweat glands in the external ear pathway.

Nervous System Control

Autonomic Nervous System regulates activation of sebaceous and apocrine glands subconsciously.

Nail Anatomy

Nail production occurs at the nail root.
Nail body consists of dead, keratin-packed cells.

Wound Healing

Involves granulation tissue—a mix of blood clot, fibroblasts, and capillaries.
Keloid refers to thick, raised scar tissue.

Wound Repair Phases

Four key phases: Inflammatory, Migratory, Proliferation, and Maturation.

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Description

Explore the intricate components and functions of the integumentary system, including the skin layers, hypodermis, and the roles they play in protecting and regulating the body. This quiz covers the key functions of skin, perspiration types, and factors influencing epidermis color. Test your knowledge on this vital system!