Integumentary System Flashcards
Epithelial Membrane
It consists of epithelial tissue and the connective tissue to which it is attached. There are 3 main types: mucous membranes, cutaneous membranes, and serous membranes.
Cutaneous Membrane
It is the technical term for our skin. Its primary role is to help protect the rest of the body’s tissues and organs from physical damage such as abrasions, chemical damage such as detergents, and biological damage from microorganisms.
Mucous Membrane
It is the moist, inner lining of some organs and body cavities (such as the nose, mouth, lungs, and stomach). Glands in the mucous membrane make mucus (a thick, slippery fluid). Also called the mucosa.
Serous Membrane
It is a mesothelial tissue that lines certain internal cavities of the body, forming a smooth, transparent, two-layered membrane lubricated by a fluid derived from serum. The peritoneum, pericardium, and pleura are serous membranes.
Serous Fluid
It is a clear-pale yellow watery fluid that is found in the body, especially in the spaces between organs and the membranes which line or enclose them (such as the heart and pericardium or abdomen and peritoneum), and that when occurring in large quantities is indicative of a pathological condition.
Peritoneum
It is the serous membrane lining the cavity of the abdomen and covering the abdominal organs.
Pleura
It is each of a pair of serous membranes lining the thorax and enveloping the lungs in humans and other mammals.
Pericardium
It is the membrane enclosing the heart, consisting of an outer fibrous layer and an inner double layer of serous membrane.
Synovial Membrane
It is a layer of connective tissue that lines the cavities of joints, tendon sheaths, and bursae (fluid-filled sacs between tendons and bones). The synovial membrane makes synovial fluid, which has a lubricating function.
Skin
It is the largest organ in the body and covers the body’s entire external surface. It is made up of three layers, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, all three of which vary significantly in their anatomy and function.
Integument
It is a tough outer protective layer, especially that of an animal or plant.
Keratin
It is a protein that helps form hair, nails, and your skin’s outer layer (epidermis). It helps support your skin, heal wounds and keep your nails and hair healthy. There are 54 kinds of keratin in your body.
Epidermis
It is the surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis.
Dermis
It is the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other structures.
Stratum Basale
Also known as stratum germinativum, is the deepest layer, separated from the dermis by the basement membrane (basal lamina) and attached to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes.
Stratum Spinosum
Also known as the spinous layer/prickle cell layer, is a layer of the epidermis found between the stratum granulosum and stratum basale. Their spiny appearance is due to the shrinking of the microfilaments between desmosomes that occurs when stained with H&E.
Stratum Granulosum
Also known as the granular layer, is a thin layer of cells in the epidermis lying above the stratum spinosum and below the stratum corneum (stratum lucidum on the soles and palms). Keratinocytes migrating from the underlying stratum spinosum become known as granular cells in this layer.
Stratum Lucidum
It is a smooth, seemingly translucent layer of the epidermis located just above the stratum granulosum and below the stratum corneum. This thin layer of cells is found only in the thick skin of the palms, soles, and digits.
Stratum Corneum
It is the outermost layer of the epidermis and marks the final stage of keratinocyte maturation and development. Keratinocytes at the basal layer of the epidermis are proliferative, and as the cells mature up the epidermis, they slowly lose proliferative potential and undergo programmed destruction.
Melanin
It is a dark brown to black pigment occurring in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye in people and animals. It is responsible for the tanning of skin exposed to sunlight.
Sebaceous Glands
It is a small gland in the skin which secretes a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair.
Sebum
It is an oily substance produced in the sebaceous glands. It mixes with fat molecules, called lipids, to form a protective coating on the skin’s surface. These lipids help hydrate the skin and protect it from potentially harmful pathogens, such as bacteria and fungi.
Eccrine Glands
It is a type of simple sweat gland that is found in almost all regions of the skin. These glands produce sweat that reaches the surface of the skin by way of coiled ducts (tubes). The body is cooled as sweat evaporates from the skin.
Apocrine Glands
Also known as sweat glands, occur in the skin and eyelid. Most of the skin are in the armpits, the groin, and the area around the nipples of the breast. Apocrine glands in the skin are scent glands, and their secretions usually have an odor.