Understanding Deep Plexus and Skin Structure

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary role of dermal vasculature?

Contributing to skin pigmentation

Providing structural support to the skin

Enhancing epidermal ridges formation

Facilitating thermoregulation (correct)

Which structure is responsible for the formation of fingerprints and increasing grip friction?

Hair follicles

Adipose cells

Epidermal ridges (correct)

Sebaceous glands

What can cause the formation of striae or stretch marks in the skin?

Underactivity of sebaceous glands

Reduced production of collagen

Excessive stretching of the skin (correct)

Excessive skin moisture

What is the study of the patterns of epidermal ridges known as?

Dermatoglyphics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components of the deep plexus is responsible for connecting to larger blood and lymphatic vessels in the dermis?

Dense irregular connective tissue Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of sebaceous glands in relation to hair follicles?

To secrete sebum that lubricates hair and skin Signup and view all the answers

Which layer of the skin contains the dermal root sheath and arrector pili muscle?

Dermis Signup and view all the answers

At what developmental stage do hair bulbs begin to form?

14th week Signup and view all the answers

What type of cells are responsible for the sensation of touch in the epidermis?

Tactile epithelial cells Signup and view all the answers

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

Serving as the outer protective barrier Signup and view all the answers

Where are sex pheromones primarily produced in the skin structure?

Apocrine sweat glands Signup and view all the answers

Which layer lies beneath the dermis and connects the skin to underlying tissues?

Hypodermis Signup and view all the answers

During which week of development do mesoderm-filled papillae of the hair develop?

16th week Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of eccrine sweat glands?

To eliminate nitrogenous waste and excess salts Signup and view all the answers

What type of epithelium is found in the secretory components of eccrine sweat glands?

Stratified cuboidal epithelium Signup and view all the answers

Where are eccrine sweat glands most numerous in the body?

On the foot soles Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the natural lines along which the skin tends to split when incised?

Langer's lines Signup and view all the answers

Which cell type in eccrine sweat glands is responsible for producing sweat?

Clear cells Signup and view all the answers

What type of secretion do eccrine glands undergo?

Merocrine secretion Signup and view all the answers

What happens when an incision is made against Langer's lines?

It gapes more significantly. Signup and view all the answers

What type of granules do dark cells in eccrine sweat glands contain?

Eosinophilic granules Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deep Plexus

Composed of dense irregular connective tissue with collagen and elastic fibers.
Contains larger blood and lymphatic vessels near the dermis-subcutaneous layer interface.
Houses adipose cells, hair follicles, nerves, sebaceous glands, and sudoriferous glands.

Striae (Stretch Marks)

Occur when skin is excessively stretched.
Indicate a breakdown of collagen fibers.

Lines of Cleavage

Also known as tension lines, they show the predominant direction of collagen fibers in the skin.
Surgical incisions along these lines tend to minimize scarring.

Epidermal Ridges

Reflect the contours of underlying dermal papillae, forming fingerprints and footprints.
Increase grip by enhancing friction.

Dermal Vasculature

Plays a crucial thermoregulatory role via arteriovenous anastomoses (shunts) between major plexuses.
Reduces blood flow in the papillary layer to minimize heat loss in cold conditions.
Increases blood flow to enhance heat loss in hot conditions, helping to maintain constant body temperature.

Lymphatic System

Lymphatic vessels begin in dermal papillae and converge into two plexuses alongside blood vessels.

Dermis Characteristics

Thickness ranges from 0.5 to 4 mm; thinnest at eyelids and thickest at heels.
Richly innervated, with crucial sensory functions.

Development of the Integumentary System

Hair follicles originate around the 12th week of pregnancy as hair buds.
Hair bulbs form by the 14th week, with sebaceous glands developing from hair follicles.
By 16 weeks, mesoderm-filled papillae develop, incorporating blood vessels and nerve endings.
Dermal root sheath and arrector pili muscle form around the hair bulb.

Sweat Glands

Two types: Eccrine and Apocrine.
Eccrine glands are widely distributed, especially on foot soles, and consist of duct and secretory components.
Act as auxiliary organs for excreting nitrogenous waste and excess salts.
Secretory component contains clear cells (sweat production) and dark cells (filled with eosinophilic granules) which undergo merocrine secretion for antibacterial glycoproteins.

Anatomical Considerations

Lines of cleavage indicate natural skin splitting points; incisions parallel to these lines heal better, resulting in finer scars.

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Description

This quiz explores the deep plexus, a crucial layer of the skin made up of dense irregular connective tissue that supports various structures such as glands, hair follicles, and blood vessels. It also covers the implications of skin stretching, including the formation of stretch marks and the significance of lines of cleavage.