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Questions and Answers
What is the primary role of the epidermis in the integumentary system?
Which statement best describes the significance of skin appearance in relation to physiological health?
What classification of burns is characterized by damage extending through the epidermis and dermis, possibly affecting underlying tissues?
Which type of skin cancer arises from melanocytes in the skin?
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Which function of the integumentary system is primarily responsible for maintaining homeostasis during extreme heat conditions?
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Which primary pigment is mainly responsible for skin, hair, and eye color?
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What layer of the skin is composed of dense collagenous connective tissue?
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What condition results from excessive sloughing of stratum corneum cells?
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Which structure is primarily involved in the production of fingerprints?
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Which layer of the epidermis undergoes mitotic division approximately every 19 days?
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What happens to cells as they move toward the surface of the skin?
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What is the primary function of the epidermis?
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What results from damaging the dermis due to overstretching?
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Which layer is considered not part of the skin?
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Which of the following statements about the stratum corneum is true?
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Which type of skin cancer primarily affects the cells in the stratum basale and is usually removed by surgery?
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What characterizes a second-degree burn in terms of tissue damage?
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What is a significant diagnostic indicator of impaired circulatory or respiratory function?
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What is a primary cause of malignant melanoma?
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Which type of burn appears white, tan, brown, black, or deep cherry red and is usually painless?
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What skin condition indicates liver damage when the skin appears yellowish?
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What is the role of the integumentary system in excretion?
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Which symptom of a second-degree burn indicates damage to the dermis?
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What characteristic is true regarding basal cell carcinoma compared to other types of skin cancer?
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What is the primary treatment for deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns to enhance healing?
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How does the body primarily rid itself of excess heat during temperature regulation?
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What feature distinguishes a first-degree burn from other types of burns?
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Which type of skin cancer can potentially lead to death if not treated properly?
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Study Notes
Integumentary System
- The integumentary system is made up of the skin and its accessory structures: hair, glands, and nails.
- The skin provides protection against abrasion and ultraviolet light, allows sensation, produces vitamin D, regulates temperature, and participates in excretion.
Skin
- Composed of two major tissue layers: the epidermis and the dermis.
- The epidermis is the superficial layer of skin, comprised of epithelial tissue that rests on the dermis.
- The dermis is a layer of dense connective tissue.
- The subcutaneous tissue, which is not part of the skin, lies beneath the skin and is composed of connective tissue.
Epidermis
- Prevents water loss and resists abrasion.
- Composed of distinct layers called strata, the deepest being the stratum basal.
- The stratum basal consists of cells that divide every 19 days, pushing older cells to the surface.
- The stratum corneum is the most superficial stratum.
- The stratum corneum is made up of dead squamous cells filled with keratin, which provides structural strength.
- Excessive sloughing of stratum corneum cells from the scalp is called dandruff.
- Calluses are thickened areas of the stratum corneum resulting from increased friction.
- Corns are cone-shaped structures of thickened stratum corneum that develop on bony prominences.
Dermis
- Consists of dense collagenous connective tissue containing fibroblasts, adipocytes, and macrophages.
- Nerves, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands, and lymphatic vessels extend into the dermis.
- Collagen and elastic fibers provide structural strength and resistance to stretch.
- Cleavage lines (tension lines) are formed by collagen fibers oriented in different directions and are more resistant to stretch.
- Damaged dermis from overstretching can lead to stretch marks.
- The upper part of the dermis contains dermal papillae that project toward the epidermis, providing blood vessels and contributing to the formation of fingerprints and footprints.
Skin Color
- Determined by pigments in the skin, blood circulating through the skin, and the thickness of the stratum corneum.
- Melanin, a group of pigments, is primarily responsible for skin, hair, and eye color.
- Carotene, a yellow pigment found in plants, also contributes to skin color.
Sensory Receptors
- Located in the epidermis and dermis and detect pain, heat, cold, and pressure.
- Sensory receptors around hair follicles detect hair movement, even though hair itself lacks nerve supply.
Vitamin D Production
- UV light triggers the skin to produce a precursor molecule of vitamin D.
- This molecule is transported by the blood to the liver, where it is enzymatically converted.
- It is further converted to the active form of vitamin D in the kidneys.
- Vitamin D stimulates the small intestine to absorb calcium and phosphate, essential for various body functions.
Temperature Regulation
- Vital for maintaining the rate of chemical reactions within the body.
- Changes in body temperature can affect enzyme efficiency and disrupt chemical processes.
- Exercise, fever, and increased environmental temperature raise body temperature.
Temperature Regulation: Heat Loss
- The body must lose excess heat to maintain homeostasis.
- Dermal blood vessels dilate, allowing more blood flow to the skin and heat dissipation.
- Sweat evaporates, further aiding in heat loss.
Temperature Regulation: Heat Conservation
- When body temperature drops, dermal blood vessels constrict, reducing blood flow to the skin.
- This conserves heat by minimizing heat transfer to the skin, resulting in lower skin temperature.
Excretion
- The integumentary system plays a minor role in excretion.
- Sweat contains small amounts of waste products, such as urea, uric acid, and ammonia.
- Although the body can lose significant amounts of sweat, the sweat glands do not play a major role in waste product excretion.
Diagnostic Aid
- The integumentary system's visible nature makes it valuable for diagnosis.
- Cyanosis, a bluish skin discoloration due to low blood oxygen content, indicates circulatory or respiratory issues.
- Jaundice, a yellowish skin tone, suggests liver damage.
- Skin rashes and lesions can signal problems elsewhere in the body.
Burns
- Injuries to tissues caused by heat, cold, friction, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.
- Classified based on depth: partial-thickness (first-degree and second-degree) and full-thickness (third-degree).
First-Degree Burn
- Involves only the epidermis.
- Characterized by redness, pain, and slight edema.
- Caused by sunburn or brief exposure to extreme temperatures.
- Heals without scarring in about a week.
Second-Degree Burn
- Damages both the epidermis and dermis.
- Mild damage results in redness, pain, edema, and blisters; heals within 2 weeks without scarring.
- Deep damage causes redness, tan, or white appearance; takes several months to heal and may leave scars.
Third-Degree Burn
- Damages the entire epidermis and dermis.
- Often painless due to destruction of sensory receptors.
- Appears white, tan, brown, black, or deep cherry red.
Burn Healing
- Epidermis regenerates from epithelial tissue in hair follicles, sweat glands, and wound edges.
- Deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns heal slowly and leave scar tissue, potentially leading to wound contractures.
Treatment of Burns
- Skin grafts are commonly used for deep burns to prevent complications and expedite healing.
- A split skin graft involves transplanting epidermis and part of the dermis from another area of the body to the burn site.
- Artificial skin or grafts from human cadavers may be used when skin transplants are not suitable.
Skin Cancer
- The most common type of cancer.
- Primarily caused by UV light exposure.
- Individuals with fair skin are more susceptible.
- Prevented by reducing sun exposure and using sunscreen.
- UVA rays cause tanning and are linked to malignant melanoma.
- UVB rays cause sunburns.
- Sunscreens should block both UVA and UVB rays.
Types of Skin Cancer
-
Basal Cell Carcinoma:
- Affects cells in the stratum basale.
- Removed by surgery.
-
Squamous Cell Carcinoma:
- Affects cells above the stratum basale.
- Can be fatal.
-
Malignant Melanoma:
- Arises from melanocytes in a mole.
- A rare but potentially deadly type of skin cancer.
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Description
Explore the integumentary system, including the structure and function of skin, hair, glands, and nails. Learn about the layers of skin, particularly the epidermis and dermis, and their roles in protection, sensation, and temperature regulation.
