Integumentary Flashcards
What are the three components of the integumentary system?
Skin
Hypodermis
Sub-organs/ Skin derivatives/ Cutaneous appendages.
What are the two layers of skin?
Epidermis
Dermis
What lies below the dermis?
Hypodermis (Rich in adipose.)
What are appendages of the skin derived from?
Develop from Epidermis, so derived Epithelially.
Primary function of the integumentary system?
Protection.
What are the four methods of protection of the integumentary system?
-Keratinization (Inhibits Dehydration/ Harder to penetrate)
-Barrier to pathogens
-Dermal Armor (Inhibits Organ Damage.)
-Pigments (Inhibits UV Radiation.)
The process of sensing outside information facilitated by the integumentary system?
Exteroception. (Pain, Temp, Touch, Pressure.)
What is the largest sense organ of the vertebrate body?
Skin.
Function of the integumentary system that allows the exchange of gasses.
What vertebrates is this most present in?
Respiration
Mostly present in Amphibians, some fish and reptiles which have very thin/ Few scales (Resp. Between).
(Cannot breathe through scales, or keratinization. )
What are excretions of the integumentary system?
- CO2 (even true for some species which do not practice cutaneous respiration).
- Ammonia (Many Fish)
- Nitrogenous waste via sweat (Mammals.)
Four Examples of thermoregulation by the integumentary system?
-Cutaneous appendages such as fur/ feathers in endotherms.
-Hypodermis insulation.
-Vascularization (Vasoconstriction/ dilation.) Occurs in the dermis.
-Sweat evaporation.
Three examples of nourishment produced by the integumentary system?
- Vitamin D through photic stimulation (7-Dehydrocholesterol + UVB= D3.)
- Milk secretion for young (Mammals)
- Nutritive Mucus secretion for young ( Some Fish)
In some marine reptiles and birds the integumentary system has appendage glands called salt glands which excrete excess salts such as chloride, NaCl & K, etc. This is done to maintain conservation of water and avoid stressing the kidneys. What basic function of the integument is this serving?
Homeostasis.
The salt content is a concern in these species due to over consumption nearby salt water.
(Fun Fact: Chondrichthyes have salt glands in their rectum/ anus.)
Think reptiles like sea turtles and birds such as pelicans.
(Bony fish and mammals do not have these. Osteichthyes use chloride cells and mammals such as whales have better kidney function/ organization.)
Keratinization of the epidermis is a component of many vertebrates and helps defend against dehydration. What basic function of the integument system does this assist with?
Homeostasis.
Recall that Protection from dehydration isn’t all that important in species that live in wet environments.
What is a vertebrates first line of defense against pathogens?
The skin of the integumentary system.
It is highly regenerative which assists in renewing protection.
What part of the integumentary system can help protect the organs?
Dermal armor.
Think Scales.
What is the function of color in the integumentary system?
The color can be protective/ Signaling, and also aids in defense against UV rays.
Dermal scales not only serve a protective purpose but also as reservoirs for calcium and phosphate. What basic function of the integument is this providing.
Homeostasis.
Balance of these minerals.
Some animals go through a type of torpor/ dormancy during a hot/ dry period of the season, this is called aestivation. What is an adaptation of the integumentary system that allows homeostasis of hydration?
The posterior pituitary glands influences the integumentary system of these species to be able to absorb water from its surroundings such as mud.
What are four adaptations of the integumentary that assist with locomotion?
- Claws.
- Pads.
- Scutes (Turtle shell/ Alligator Back plates.)
- Feathers.
What are 2 ways the integument contributes to a vertebrates ability to communicate?
- Excretions of pheromones.
- Coloration.
Name for the transitions zones where the integumentary system is continuous with inner mucous membranes?
Mucocutaneous Junctions.
What are the macrophages of the integumentary system called?
How do they function?
Langerhans Cells.
They act as Dendritic/ Presenter cells to sensitize Lymphocytes against pathogens.
They can also Phagocytize pathogens.
(Think cat which brings its dead prey to show its owner.)
What is usually the epithelium of the epidermis?
Stratified squamous.
Mucus or keratinized.
Aquatic vertebrates may also have mucous layer to decrease friction- produced by glands.
2 Appendages produced when the epidermis invaginates down into the dermis or hypodermis?
Glands or Follicles- Epitheliul origin.
What layer of the skin?
- Tightly packed cells
- Avascular
- Highly Regenerative.
- Many intercellular junctions.
Epidermis.
What are the four cell types of the epidermis in mammals?
- Keratinocytes (Most abundant in keratinized.)
- Melanocytes
- Langerhans Cells
- Merkel Cells
Pigmentary system AKA:
Melanocyte System.
Reticuloendothelial System AKA:
Langerhans System.
Keratinizing System AKA:
Malpighian System.
Cellular system primarily located within the epidermis that relays “Touch” related information to the nearby innervation?
Merkel Cell System
Located Primarily in Stratum Basale.
What are the four systems which make up the epidermis?
- Langerhans/ Reticuloendothelial System
- Merkel Cell System
- Pigmenary/ Melanocyte System.
- Malpighian/ Keratinizing System.
How does the epidermis receive nutrients from the body?
By Diffusion
No Vascularization and in keratinized the top layers are already dead.
Where does the majority of integumentary innervation occur?
The Dermis.
What are the 4 (5) layers of the epidermis epithelium from superficial to deep?
- Stratum Corneum.
-Stratum Lucidum (Thick Skin ONLY) - Stratum Granulosum.
- Stratum Spinosum.
- Stratum Basale.
What are the three layers of Stratum Malpighi?
The Living Layers:
- Stratum Granulosum.
- Stratum Spinosum.
- Stratum Basale.
What is special about the epidermis of thick skin?
Where is thick skin commonly found?
It has two layers within the stratum Corneum:
- Stratum Corneum Proper.
- Stratum Lucidum (Not present in thin skin)
Commonly found on the pads of feet and hands.
(Exception!: Avian keratinized feet.)
This layer of the epidermis Rests on the basement membrane.
What type & shape of cells?
Activity/ Function?
Stratum Basale:
- Cuboidal/ Columnar shaped cells
- Source of stem cells for keratinocytes, so lots of mitotic activity.
This layer of the epidermis is where keratinization begins.
What type & shape of cells?
Activity/ Function?
Stratum Granulosum:
Layers of flattened cells
The cells have lamellated (Overlayed) granules of keratohyaline ( a Protein).
Greatest rate of keratin deposition.
Mitotic activity ends at this layer’s start, but still living cells.
Main cell Type: Keratinocyte.
(Uncommon, but not impossible to have normal isolates of langerhans & Merkel cells)
This layer of the epidermis is composed of polyhedral cells, and displays some mitotic activity.
Stratum Spinosum
This layer also has a negligible amount of keratinization.
What is the difference between stratum corneum and stratum corneum proper?
Stratum Corneum may also contain stratum lucidum when applicable (Thick Skin)
Stratum Corneum Proper does not.
This layer of the epidermis is composed of layers of dead stratified squamous epithelium, What is the stratum within this layer with a translucent appearance?
Stratum Lucidum
What are the two types of keratin which can be found within a keratinocyte?
- Alpha Keratin: Pliable form of keratin- most abundant in keratinocytes of the epidermis.
- Beta Keratin: Tougher form of keratin found in epidermal structures such as Claws, Scale and Hair.
What are the three phases of cytomorphosis of keratinocytes?
Proliferation: Production of new keratinocytes.
Differentiation: IKYK
Exfoliation: Keratinocytes at the surface are dead, shed and constantly being replaced by new cells.
What cells are the developmental sources of cutaneous appendages?
Basal Keratinocytes.
What is produced within keratinocytes of the stratum granulosum that is extruded from the cell and assists with cell binding in the stratum corneum.
Keratinosomes.
(Also may be called membrane coating granules.)
What are the three places melanocytes can be found?
- Stratum Malpighi.
- Hail Follicles
- Dermal Connective Tissues.
What non-essential Amino Acid is used within a melanocyte to produce melanin?
What is this processes known as?
Tyrosine is oxidized into melanin.
Process is called Melanogenesis and occurs within the organelle: Melanosome.
What occurs within a melanocyte once melanogenesis is completed within a melanosome organelle?
The melanosome is transferred to adjacent keratinocytes via the cytoplasmic processes of the melanocyte.
What multilayer stratum houses the langerhans cells?
Stratum Malpighi.
Best found in the upper stratum spinosum.
What are langerhans cells derived from?
How does this relate to their appearance?
They are derived from Monocytes, this gives the langerhans cells their indented nucleus.
What are the rod shaped granules within Langerhans cells called?
Langerhans Granules.
(Function is undetermined.)
When langerhans cells are in the process of migrating to the lymph nodes to stimulate antibody production to an antigen?
They are called dendritic cells in this state.
Where 3 places Langerhans cells are found in the body?
- Within stratified squamous epithelia: Esophagus, cervix, etc.
- Cutaneous appendages: hair follicles, glands, etc
Dermis - Lymph: Thymus, Lymph nodes & dermal lymph vessels.
Cells that are found mostly within the stratum basale and play a role in sensory function.
Where in the body are they common and what neural structure are they commonly associated with?
Merkel Cells.
- Usually found in areas where fine touch reception is important such as: Palms, Hair follicles/ Whiskers, Oral and Genital Mucosa etc.
- They are commonly associated with Merkel/ tactile discs: Sensory Nerve Fibers.
what are they two types of sudoriferous glands?
- Apocrine: Thicker secretion, initially no scent, but once broken down (Usually by bacteria) associated with body odor. Pheromone secretions, begin to function at puberty, located in axillary and perianal areas.
- Eccrine: Thermoregulation; Sweat, Widely distributed.