7.2: Physiology of the Integumentary System Flashcards
What is the smallest unit of life?
Cells
What do cells come together to form?
Tissues
What are tissues comprised of?
Cells and matrix
What is the matrix made up of?
- ground substance
- protein
- collagen fibers
What needs to be repaired when the skin is damaged?
Both tissue and matrix
When the skin is damaged, both tissue and matrix need to be repaired.
What is the first step in tissue repair?
Blood platelets accumulate in the area of damage
What do blood platelets form during tissue repair?
A clot
What do blood platelets secrete around the clot?
A mesh-like substance to prevent blood loss
What do mast cells release during tissue damage?
Histamine
What is histamine’s role in tissue repair?
Helps to dilate blood vessels and initiate a local inflammatory response
What do macrophages do?
Engulf and destroy disease-causing pathogens
What do fibroblasts help to secrete?
New collagen in the shape of the old tissue
What occurs during the remodeling phase of wound healing?
Tissue matures and cells take on their original functions
What is a scar?
An overgrowth of fibrous connective tissue that cannot be fully replaced by the original tissue
A scar forms if the wound is too deep in the tissue and some original function is lost.
How are burns classified?
By the severity of the burn
What characterizes first-degree burns?
- Damage only to the epidermis
- dry
- red
- painful without blistering
What characterizes second-degree burns?
- Damage to the epidermis
- damage part of the dermis
- red
- blisters
What characterizes third-degree burns?
- damage to the epidermis
- damage to entire dermis
- may extend subcutaneous layer
- appearing white or charred
What characterizes fourth-degree burns?
Damage to the
- epidermis
- dermis
- hypodermis
- underlying tissue
- nerve endings
How do burns heal?
In the same manner as other skin injuries
Burns heal in the same manner as other skin injuries.
What is skin grafting?
A treatment where healthy skin is taken from a person’s own body and grafted on top of the damaged area
What are the benefits of skin grafting?
Decreases recovery time and prevents infection
A skin graft may be necessary if the skin has been too severely damaged or if the burn covers a large surface area.
