Integument Flashcards
What are the 2 layers of the integument?
- Epidermis
- Dermis
Describe the embryological development of the epidermis
- Is the superficial layer
- Ectodermal origin
- Basal ayer of ectodermal cells divide to form periderm
- Further division of basal cells produces intermediate layers
- Result is multilayered epidermis
What happens to the epidermis in mid-pregnancy?
- Basal layers give rise to typical layers of stratified squamous epithelium
- Periderm lost
What are the cells of the epithelium called?
Keratinocytes
Describe the embryological development of the dermis
- Deeper
- Derived from mesoderm
- Mesenchymal mesodermal cells differentiate to connecive tissue cells (collagen fibres and elastic fibres)
- Denser deeper into dermis
Describe the hypodermis/subcutis
- Layer of loose connective tissue below dermis
- Anchors skin to underlying structures
- Thickness varies between species adn area of body
List some adaptations of the integumen
- Hair
- Skin glands
- Footpad
- Planum nasale
- Hoof
- Claw
- Horn
- Antler
- Feather
- Avian/fish scales
- Beak
- Ear
Briefly describe the structure of hair
- Present in mammals
- Epidermal basal cells proliferate into dermis to form hair bud
- Aggregation of mesenchymal cells (from dermal papilla) projects into tip of hair bud
- Epidermal cells grow around papilla forming hair bulb from which hair grows
Briefly describe skin glands
- 2 types
- Sebaceous and sweat
- Derive from basal layer of epithelium
- Presence varies with species and body site
- some glands may be more specialised
Briefly describe the structure of the planum nasae
- Prominent grooves in thick epidermal layer
- No hair follicles or glands
- Makes up black part of nose
Briefly describe the structure of the hoof
- Keratinised epidermis
- Arranged as wall (unguis) and sole (subunguis)
- Attached to bone by folded dermis (corium)
- Epidermis form outer wall of hoof
- Periople is a rubbery band
- Lamellae are interdigitations between epidermis and dermis
Describe the formation of the solar horn of the hoof
- More similar to skin
- Dermal area produces epidermal cells
- Gradually become more flattened and keratinised
- Migrate towards outside
Briefly describe claws
- Equivalent to laterally compressed hoof
- Softer horn on underside of claw
- Adapted for tearing prey, running etc - very tough and highly keratinised
Briefly describe the structure of horns
- Permanent, grow continuously
- Heavily keratinised epidermis
- Dermis (corium) closely applie to bone
- Hypodermis minimal/absent
Briefly describe the structure of feathers
- Highly specialised epidermal structures
- Core of areolar connective tissue inside feather
Briefly describe the structure of scales and beak
- Overlapping plates of heavily keratinised epidermis
- Beak very compact keratinised epidermis appliec to bone
Briefly describe the structure of fish scales
- Overlapping bondy plates derived from dermis
- Covered with epidermis
List the functions of the integument
- Protection (pathogens, infection, physical damage, allergens)
- Movement
- thermoregulation
- Display, communication
- Production of glandular secretions
- Storage (fat, vit D)
- Sensory
List categories of disease processes that may affect integumentary function
- Wounds
- Inflammation, hypersensitivities
- Parasites
- Microbial infections
Describe armadillo skin
- Demal plates making up armour
- Small overlapping epidermal scales called scutes (composed of bone with a covering of horn)
Describe the features of the skin that act as a protective barrier
- Hair, stratum corneum, sebum, sweat
- Prevents dessication
- Chemical barrier (inorganic acids, proteins, fatty acids)
Describe the feature of skin that inhibits infectious agents
- Normal microflora
- esp coagulase negative Staphylococci, Micrococcus spp, Propionibacterioum acnes and Acinetobacter spp
- Break down lipids to form antibacterial free fatty acids
- Hair also has high microbial carriage but is not an active surface
Describe the function of the skin in thermoregulation
- Blood flow
- Sweat production
- Hair also forms insulative layer
Describe the function of the skin as a sensory organ
- Sensory nerve endings in dermis and epidermis
- Sensitive to temp, pressure, vibrations, touch and pain
- Merkel cells: pressure
- meissener’s corpuscles: gentle pressure
- Pacinian corpuscles: deep pressure
Describe the function of the skin as an excretory organ
Small amounts of urea, uric acid, ammonia and lactic acid
Describe the function of skin in photoprotection
- Urocanic acid and melanin absorb UVA and UVB
- Nuclear capping by melanin protects progenitor cells from damage by UVA, prevents development of tumour cells
- Skin thickness
Describe the function of the skin in immunosurveillance
- Keratinocytes immunologically active (IL-1, thymic stromal lymphopoeitin) , can process antigens and stimulate response
- Langerhans cells provide immunity and direct inflammation
- T cells and mast cells in dermis (dermal dendrocytes)
- Antimicrobial proteins
Name the antimicrobial proteins present in the skin
- Beta-defensin
- Cathelicidins
Describe the role of the skin in blood pressure regulation
- Stores Na+ (via cortisol and mineralocorticoids)
- Regulated by immune system cells and lymph capillaries
Describe the role of the skin in vitamin D production
- Previtamin D3 from 7-dehydrocholesterol then isomerised to vitamin D3
- Basal and suprabasal layers of skin
- Transported to liver for further metabolism
Describe the role of the skin in nutrient storage
- Na+
- Fat, water, vitamins
- Subcutis particularly
Describe the role of the skin as an absorptive substance
- Especially drugs
- Lipid soluble e.g. steroids
What separates the epidermis and the dermis?
Basement membrane
Where are the hairs and glands situated?
In the dermis
Where are nerves situated in the skin?
Bottom of the subcutical-dermal junction
Where are the blood vessels used for thermoregulation in the skin?
Under the epidermis
Where is the melanin layer?
On top of the basal membrane
Give the layers of the skin from outside to inside
- Epidermis (5 layers)
- Free nerve endings
- Dermis: superficial then deep (glands, hairs)
- Blood vessels
- Hypoderma
- Adipose tissue
Describe the structure of the hypodermis
- Connective tissue of mesenchymal origin
- Deepest and thickest layer
- Variably present
- Projects into dermis to protect hair follicles, sweat glands and vessels
- Predominant cell is lipocyte
Describe the function of the hypodermis
- Energy reserve
- Themogenesis and insulation
- Protective padding and support
- Maintaining surface contour/shape