INTEGUMENTARY Flashcards
Covering from external environment; protects against UV radiation, dehydration and microorganisms
Protection
Numerous sensory receptors in the skin
Sensation
Modulating blood flow through skin and the sweat glands
Temperature regulation
When irradiated by UV light, Vitamin D is transformed to its hormonal form (for Ca+ regulation)
Vitamin D production
Small amounts of waste excreted through glands and the skin
Excretion
Sex pheromones produced by the apocrine sweat glands and are involved in the attraction between sexes
Sexual signaling
The skin is made up of two major tissue layers, the
Epidermis and the Dermis
superficial layer of the skin, consisting of stratified squamous epithelial tissue. Contains Multiple cell layers
Epidermis
layer of connective tissue; responsible for most of the strength of the skin
Dermis
- a layer of loose connective tissue
- Not part of the skin or the integumentary system, but it does connect the skin to
underlying muscle or bone
Subcutaneous tissue, or hypodermis
- Stratified Squamous Epithelium
- No blood vessels; receives nutrients and excretes waste products by diffusion to the capillaries of the dermis
EPIDERMIS
Cells of the epidermis:
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Merkel Cells
Langerhans Cells
Epithelial cells containing keratin; provides resistance to abrasion
and water loss
Keratinocytes
Produce the pigment melanin; which contributes to skin color.
Melanocytes
Cells associated with nerve endings; detects light touch and superficial pressure
Merkel Cells
Associated with immune response; Antigen presentation
Langerhans Cells
Newer cells push older cells towards the surface
(“sloughing off’)
From the deepest to the most superficial, the five strata:
EPIDERMIS
- Single Layer of Cuboidal or Columnar Cells
- Anchored to a basement membrane by hemidesmosomes
- Keratinocyte stem cells undergo mitosis every 19 days
- Melanocytes (melanin producing cells) are seen here
Stratum Basale
- 8–10 layers of many-sided cell
- Appear “spiny” upon preparation for microscopic observation
- “Spines” are actually desmosomes that come out of cell due to cell shrinkage
- Lipid filled, membrane bound organelles called lamellar bodies form inside
keratinocytes - Langerhans Cells are also present
Stratum Spinosum
- 2-5 layers of flattened, diamond-shaped cells.
- Presence of kerato-hyaline granules accumulating in the cytoplasm of
keratinocytes - Nucleus and organelles of keratinocytes degenerate; cells die.
Stratum Granulosum
- Several layers of dead keratinocytes with indistinct boundaries.
- Kerato-hyaline granules have dispersed out of cell; cell appears transparent
- Stratum lucidum is present in only a few areas of the body called Thick Skin
Stratum Lucidum
palms of the hand, soles of the feet and fingertips
Thick skin
rest of the body
Thin skin
25 or more layers of dead squamous cells
- Outer layers sheds off due to breaking of desmosomes
- Cornified Cells – dead keratinocytes with protein envelope made of keratin
Stratum Corneum
produce and package melanin into vesicles called melanosomes, which will be engulfed by Keratinocytes by phagocytosis
Melanocytes
Melanin production is facilitated by the enzyme
tyrosinase
Skin color is determined by:
- Types of melanin produced
- Amount of melanin produced
- Size of melanosomes
- Number of melanosomes
- Distribution of melanosomes
• Involved in Immune Response; Antigen presenting cells
• Only a migrant to the skin (macrophage)
• Also called dendritic cells
• Display a dense nucleus, pale cytoplasm, and long slender processes that radiate out from the cell body into the intercellular spaces between keratinocytes
Langerhans Cell
• Scattered among cells of stratum basale
• Abundant in the fingertips and oral mucosa and at the base of hair follicles
• Tonic receptors for sustained light touch and for sensing an object’s texture.
Merkel Cells
- Connective Tissue
- Provides Mechanical Support
DERMIS
Cells of the Dermis:
- Fibroblast
- Adipocytes (few)
- Macrophages
Protein Fibers of the Dermis
- Collagen (predominant)
- Elastic
- Reticular
Other Structures in the Dermis:
- Blood Vessels
- Hair Follicles
- Smooth Muscle
- Glands
- Lymphatic Vessels
- Nerve Endings
Types of Nerve Endings in the Dermis:
- Free Nerve Endings
- Hair Follicle Receptors
- Pacinian Corpuscle
- Meissner Corpuscle
- Ruffini Corpuscle
- Superficial layer; immediately next to epidermis
- Forms projections called Dermal Papillae
- Connects with epidermal ridges
- Loose Connective Tissue
- Contains blood vessels that supply nutrients, remove waste products and regulate temperature of the epidermis
Papillary Layer
- Deep Layer
- Main Layer of the Dermis
- Dense Irregular Connective Tissue
Reticular Layer
with larger blood and lymphatic vessels lies near the interface of the dermis and the subcutaneous layer.
A deep plexus
Thermoregulatory Function of the dermis is done and located between both plexuses
arteriovenous anastomoses
-Beneath the Dermis
-Also called Hypodermis or Superficial Fascia
- Loose Connective Tissue
SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE
Cells in the Subcutaneous Tissue
- Adipocytes (Half of the body’s stored lipids are here)
- Fibroblasts
- Macrophages
Simple nerve endings with no Schwann cell or collagenous coverings (Uncapsulated)
-More complex structures with sensory fibers enclosed by glia and delicate connective tissue capsules (Capsulated)
SENSORY RECEPTORS
Uncapsulated Receptors
-tonic receptors for sustained light touch and for sensing an object’s texture.
Merkel cells
Uncapsulated Receptors
-in the papillary dermis; respond primarily to high and low temperatures, pain, and itching.
Free Nerve Endings