10. Integumentary and Lymphatic System Flashcards
Skin Structure
- The skin forms the integumentary system.
- It is the largest organ of the human body.
- 2 square metres (men), 0.5mm-4mm thickness.
- Covers external body and continuous with mucous membranes internally.
- An epithelial membrane -cutaneous membrane.
- Contains accessory structures: glands, hair and nails.
Skin layers
Epidermis: The superficial layer of skin, formed of epithelial tissue (tightly packed cells).
Dermis: The middle layer of skin, formed of connective tissue. Also contains accessory structures such as sweat glands, hairs and sebaceous glands.
Subcutaneous / adipose layer:
Epidermis
• The epidermis is the superficial layer of skin.
• Formed of ‘keratinised epithelium’ (protective and waterproofing).
• The epidermis varies in thickness over the body.
• Interstitial fluid (situated in between cells) provides oxygen & nutrients to cells.
• The epidermis is drained by lymph.
• No blood vessels (avascular) and no nerve endings.
Complete replacement of epidermis occurs in approximately 40 days.
Epidermis Cells
90% of epidermal cells are Keratinocytes:
• Keratin is a tough fibrous protein that protects from heat, microbes & chemicals.
8% of epidermal cells are Melanocytes:
• Melanin is a pigment that contributes to skin colour and absorbs UV light.
• Melanin surrounds the nuclei of keratinocytes on the side towards skin surface.
• Two types of melanin in skin = Eumelanin(brown/black) & Pheomelanin(reddish/yellow).
2% of epidermal cells are Langerhans cells:
• Immune cells that are in involved in skin ‘surveillance’.
Epidermis Layers
5 Layers Stratum corneum Stratum lucidum Stratum granulosum Stratum spinosum Stratum basale
Stratum Corneum
25-30 layers of flattened dead keratinocytes.
•Cytoplasm replaced by keratin.
•Are shed (desquamated).
Stratum Lucidum
- 3-5 layers of dead cells.
* Only present in thick skin.
Stratum Granulosum
• 3-5 layers of cells undergoing apoptosis
Stratum Spinosum
• 8-10 layers of new keratinocytes
Stratum Basale
•Single row dividing to form new keratinocytes.
Dermis
The thickest layer in skin, formed of connective tissue. The dermis contains a matrix of collagen and elastic fibres.
• Collagen fibres give tensile strength and elastic fibres allow skin to stretch & recoil.
The dermis also contains:
• Arterioles & capillaries (thermoregulation).
• Lymph vessels &sensory nerve endings.
• Sweat glands (and ducts), hairs& arrector pili muscles, sebaceous glands.
• Fibroblasts and immune cells –macrophages & mast cells.
Sweat (Sudoriferous) Glands
- Most numerous in the palms, soles of feet, axillae & groin.
- Consists of a gland, duct & pore. Located next to a capillary (receive secretions).
- Excretion of urea (waste). Excessive sweating leads to dehydration and sodium (Na+) depletion.
- Smell created by action of bacteria breaking down substances present in sweat such as fatty acids.
- Body heat used to evaporate sweat –help regulate body temperature.
Sensory Nerve Endings
- Meissner’s corpuscle: Sensitive to light pressure.
- Pacinian corpuscle: Sensitive to deep pressure.
- Free nerve ending: Sensitive to pain & temperature. 1cm square skin = 200 pain receptors
Dermis: Hairs
- Hairs are concentric columns of dead keratinised cells bonded together by proteins.
- Hair colour is genetically determined. Hormones influence distribution. Hair contains melanin pigments (more = darker).
- A microscopic band of smooth muscle called ‘arrector pili’ connect the hair follicle to the dermis.
- When the hair is erect, it traps a layer of air next to the skin (part of thermoregulation).
Dermis: Sebaceous Glands
- Sebaceous glands secrete sebum which keeps hair soft, provides water-proofing for the skin and is anti-microbial.
- Mostly located on the face, scalp, lip, eye lid, nipples, labial folds, glans penis.
- Activity increases in puberty, decreasing with age.
- The fatty acids in sebum inhibit bacterial growth.
Skin Functions
- Protection
- Thermoregulation (body temperature)
- Vitamin D production
- Sensation
- Absorption
- Excretion
Skin Functions: Protection
• Protection against dehydrationand external factors such as chemicals, toxins, trauma, light and microbes.
- Physical barrier -closely packed keratinised cells and melanin.
- Sebum-contains fatty acids which inhibit microbial growth.
- Sweat-contains lysozymes, which are enzymes that break down bacteria.
- Desquamation-shedding of skin cells helps remove microbes.
- Nerve sensors -induce protective reflexes.
Skin Functions: Thermoregulation
• Normal body temperature is 36.5 –37.5°C (98–100°F).
• Changes in the evening, during ovulation & exercise.
• Temperature control centres are the hypothalamus & medulla oblongata (brain stem).
Temperature regulation by the skin occurs via:
1. Activity of sweat glands (water evaporates off skin).
2. Activity of blood vessels (vasodilatation/vasoconstriction).
High body temperature -> vasodilation of peripheral blood vessels to promote heat loss
Low body temperature -> vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels to prevent heat loss
Hypothermia
<35oC
When core temperature drops below that required for normal metabolism & body functions
Death usually below 25oC
Hyperthermia
> 38.5°C
When core temperature elevatesabove 38.5oC
40oC -life threatening. 41oC -brain death. 45oC –death.