CH5 Flashcards
what are the functions of the integumentary system?
- helps maintain a constant body temperature
- protects the body from external environment
- provides sensory information about the surrounding environment
- indicates homeostatic imbalances in the body
- reveals systemic infections or diseases on internal organs
- excretes and absorbs substances
- synthesizes Vit D
what is dermatology?
the medical specialty that deals with the structure, function, and disorders of the integumentary system
what is the skin?
cutaneous membrane, covers the external surface of the body and is by weight the largest organ of the body in weight
what are the two main parts of the skin?
epidermis: superficial, thinner portion, which is composed of epithelial tissue
dermis: deeper, thicker connective tissue portion
what is the subcutaneous tissue?
- consists of areolar and adipose tissues
- Fibers that extend from the dermis anchor the skin to the subcutaneous tissue, which in turn attaches to underlying fascia, the connective tissue around muscles and bones
- serves as a storage depot for fat and contains large blood vessels that supply the skin
what are lamellar corpuscles?
nerve endings that are sensitive to pressure, high frequency vibrations
what kind of tissue is the epidermis composed of?
keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
what four types of cells are found in the epidermis?
- keratinocytes
- melanocytes
- dendritic cells
- tactile epithelial cells
what are keratinocytes?
- produce keratin
- produce lamellar granules
what is keratin?
tough, fibrous protein
- helps protect the skin and underlying tissues from abrasions, heat, microbes, and chemicals
what are lamellar granules?
membrane-enclosed, fuses with plasma membrane to release a lipid-rich water-repellent sealant that decreases water entry and loss, inhibits the entry of foreign materials
what are melanocytes?
- produce melanin
- long, slender pseudopods extend btwn the keratinocytes and transfer melanin granules to them
what is melanin?
- yellow-red or brown-black pigment that contributes to skin color and absorbs damaging ultraviolet (UV) light
- melanin granules cluster to form a protective veil over the nucleus to shield the nuclear DNA from damage by UV light
- neutralizes free radicals that form in skin after damage by UV radiation
what are dendritic cells?
- arise from red bone marrow and migrate to the epidermis
- participate in immune responses against microbes that invade the skin
- help other cells of the immune system recognize an invading microbe and destroy it
what are tactile epithelial cells?
- located in deepest layer of epidermis
- make contact with nonencapsulated sensory corpuscles
- detect touch sensations
what is the stratum basale?
- deepest layer of epidermis
- composed of single row of cuboidal/columnar epithelial cells
- some are epidermal stem cells that produce new keratinocytes
what are tonofilaments?
keratin intermediate filaments
- compose the cytoskeleton within keratinocytes of stratum basale
- attaches to desmosomes, hemidesmosomes and attaches cells in stratum basale tgt
what are skin grafts?
the transfer of a patch of healthy skin taken from a donor site to cover a wound
what types of cells/structures are found in stratum basale?
- epidermal stem cells
- new daughter cuboidal/columnar keratinocytes
- melanocytes
- tactile epithelial cells and nonencapsulated sensory corpuscles
- tonofilaments
why are skin grafts performed?
- to protect against fluid loss and infection
- to promote tissue healing
- to reduce scar formation
- to prevent loss of function
- cosmetic reasons
what is an autograft?
skin graft from skin from same individual
what is an isograft?
skin graft of skin from an identical twin
why are transplanted skin usually taken from same individual/identical twin?
to avoid tissue rejection
what is an autologous skin transplantation?
small amts of individual’s epidermis removed, keratinocytes cultured to produce thin sheets of skin
- performed when skin damage extensive that autograft would cause harm
- usually for severely burned patients