18 Questions
What is the primary function of sweat glands in regulating body temperature?
To increase secretions to cool the body
What percentage of the body's blood volume is stored in skin blood vessels?
5%
What is the least malignant and most common type of skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma
What is the primary function of the integumentary system in terms of protection?
To provide a chemical, physical, and mechanical barrier
What is the role of dermal blood vessels in regulating body temperature?
To dilate and constrict to cool and warm the body
What is the primary function of the integumentary system in terms of excretion?
To eliminate limited amounts of nitrogenous wastes in sweat
What is the outermost superficial region of the skin?
Epidermis
Which type of cells in the epidermis function as touch receptors in association with sensory nerve endings?
Merkel cells
What is the function of Langerhans' cells in the epidermis?
Help activate the immune system
What is the middle region of the skin?
Dermis
What is the deepest region of the skin?
Hypodermis
What type of epithelium is composed of four distinct cell types in the epidermis?
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
Which type of skin cancer arises from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum?
Squamous cell carcinoma
Which characteristic is part of the ABCD rule used to identify melanomas?
Border
What is a symptom commonly associated with second-degree burns?
Blisters
Which type of treatment is effective for melanoma and is often accompanied by immunotherapy?
Surgical excision
What type of skin cancer is the most dangerous and arises from melanocytes?
Melanoma
Which type of burn involves only damage to the epidermis?
First-degree burn
Study Notes
Skin Structure
- The skin consists of three major regions: epidermis (outermost superficial region), dermis (middle region), and hypodermis (deepest region)
- The epidermis is composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, consisting of four distinct cell types and four or five layers
Cells of the Epidermis
- Keratinocytes: produce the fibrous protein keratin
- Melanocytes: produce the brown pigment melanin
- Langerhans’ cells: epidermal macrophages that help activate the immune system
- Merkel cells: function as touch receptors in association with sensory nerve endings
Functions of the Integumentary System
- Protection: chemical, physical, and mechanical barrier
- Body temperature regulation: dilation (cooling) and constriction (warming) of dermal vessels
- Cutaneous sensation: exoreceptors sense touch and pain
- Metabolic functions: synthesis of vitamin D in dermal blood vessels
- Blood reservoir: skin blood vessels store up to 5% of the body’s blood volume
- Excretion: limited amounts of nitrogenous wastes are eliminated from the body in sweat
Skin Cancer
- Types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma
- Basal cell carcinoma: least malignant and most common skin cancer, slow growing, and does not often metastasize
- Squamous cell carcinoma: arises from keratinocytes, grows rapidly, and metastasizes if not removed
- Melanoma: cancer of melanocytes, most dangerous type of skin cancer, treated by wide surgical excision accompanied by immunotherapy
Burns
- Classification of burns:
- First-degree: only the epidermis is damaged
- Second-degree: the epidermis and upper regions of dermis are damaged
- Third-degree: involve entire thickness of the skin
Learn about the types and characteristics of skin cancer, including Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Melanoma. Understand where these cancers arise, their growth patterns, and prognosis with different treatments.
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