Chapter 5: The Integument System Flashcards
What is the integument system and what is it composed of?
Covers entire outer surface of body
Includes skin, hair, nails, various glands, & sensory receptors
Functions of Skin - 5
Is the largest organ of the body by surface area and weight
Has several functions: 1. Protects the body against: - dehydration (keratin layer) - impact & friction injuries - mold & bacterial invasion - UV light damage (melanin production)
2. Acts as a receptor organ for sensory input 3. Regulates body temp (capillary network & sweat glands) 4. Secretes some wastes urea, salts, & water 5. Synthesizes vitamin D from cholesterol molecules under action of sunlight
Skin Layers
Composed of 2 layers:
• Outer, thinner layer called the epidermis
> Blood vessles directly in the dermis but not in the epidermis
> No direct blood supply to the epidermis
• Inner, thicker layer called the dermis
•Subcutaneous layer
> Also called hypodermis
> Located underneath the dermis
Epidermis
- Characteristics
- List four major types of cell
- List five cell layers
Characteristics: • Composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium • Contains four major types of cells 1) Keratinocytes 2) Melanocytes 3) Langerhans cells 4) Merkel cells • Contains five cell layers 1) Stratum basale 2) Stratum spinosum 3) Stratum granulosum 4) Stratum lucidum 5) Stratum corneum
Keratinized = thick layer of dead cells on the top Stratified = more than one layer Squamous = flat type of cell
Keratinocytes - Epidermal cell types
- (90%)
- Produce keratin (fibrous protein)
- Protect skin & underlying tissues from heat, microbes, & chemicals
- Surface cells die & only contain keratin
Melanocytes - Epidermal cell types
- (8%)
- Spider-shaped epithelial cells
- Secrete & transfer the pigment melanin to keratinocytes
- Found near basal surface & their cell projections extend between keratinocytes
- Melanocytes – shield the skin cells from UV light. Increase in sun make more of these which gives you a tan. The tan fades as the cells regenerate/flake off
Langerhans cells - Epidermal cell types
- (or intraepidermal cells)
- Arise from red bone marrow & migrate to epidermis
- Involved in immune responses
Merkel cells - Epidermal cell types
- (or Tactile cells)
- Least numerous
- Contact sensory neurons & function in touch sensations
- Located deep in epidermis
Stratum basale - Epidermal cell layers
- (or stratum germinativum)
- Deepest layer, attached to dermis by wavy border
- Single row of cuboidal/columnar keratinocytes
- Cells divide by mitosis
- Contains melanocytes & Merkel cells
Stratum spinosum - Epidermal cell layers
- 8 to 10 layers of irregular-shaped keratinocytes
- Cells contain many keratin filaments
- Contains Langerhans cells & projections of melanocytes
- The cells are attached to one another very strongly
Stratum granulosum - Epidermal cell layers
- 3 to 5 layers of flattened keratinocytes; nucleus & organelles disintegrate
- Cells contain keratohyalin (protein) & lamellated granules
- Lamellated granules release a lipid-rich, water repellent secretion
- Transition layer between living cells below & dead cells above
- Starting to die bc epidermis is avascular so it’s getting farther from blood supply
Stratum lucidum - Epidermal cell layers
- Present only in thick skin (fingertips, palms, & soles)
- Consists of 3-5 layers of clear, flat, dead keratinocytes
- Missing in thin skin like eyelinds
Stratum corneum - Epidermal cell layers
- 25 to 30 layers of flat, dead keratinocytes containing keratin
- Lamellar secretion (lipids) between the cells waterproofs this layer
Dermis
-2 regoins/layers
• Connective tissue with fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages, mast cells, & embedded with fibers
• Contains blood vessels, hair follicles, glands, & nerves
•Layers/Regions
1) Papillary region
2) Reticular region
Papillary region - Dermis Layer
- Upper 1/5 of dermis
- Has dermal papillae at junction with epidermis
- These papillae contain capillaries, free nerve endings and Meissner’s corpuscles
- fingertips are caused by the wavy boarders and they’re for giving texture to help with grip