integumentary system Flashcards
skin
largest organ in the body, 10-15% of your total weight
what is the integumentary system composed of
skin, accessory organs (hair, nails, glands: sweat, sebaceous)
what are the skin layers
epidermis (skin) , dermis (skin) and hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue)
how are the skin layers structurally different
that the epidermis has no blood flow—it’s avascular–while both the dermis and hypodermis do have blood flow
what are the accessory organs and their functions
The accessory organs of the skin and their functions are:
- Hair functions as protection and sensation.
- Sebaceous glands function as protection.
- The sudoriferous glands function as temperature regulation and waste removal.
- The nails also function as protection.
What are the functions of the integumentary system?
The functions of the integumentary system are protection disease, temperature regulation, sensation, and waste removal
What are keratinocytes? Where are they found in the skin?
Keratinocytes are cells that produce keratin. Keratin is protein found epidermis, hair and nails that makes tissues tougher. Keratinocytes are found in the epidermis.
What are basal cells?
Basal cells are cells that are found in the epidermis and get flatter as they travel up the epidermis.
What are squamous cells?
Squamous cells are flat cells that are in the outer section of the epidermis that shed as new cells are formed.
What are melanocytes? Where are they found in the skin?
Melanocytes are cells that produce a skin pigmentation that ranges from orange to black, they are found in the basal layer of the epidermis.
What is melanin? How is it produced? What is its function?
Melanin covers the nucleus of the keratinocyte to protect it from UV rays, it is produced by melanocytes inside vesicles called melanosomes.
How are individuals with darker and lighter skin different in terms of the number of melanocytes and the amount/type of melanin?
Individuals with darker and lighter skin have the same relative number of melanocytes but differ in the amount and type of melanin
How do non-melanoma and melanoma differ in terms of prevalence and severity?
Nonmelanoma cancer is most common but less severe while melanoma is less common but very severe.
What is the difference between basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma?
Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are more localized and grows very slowly while melanoma rapidly grows and can go into the blood stream.
How can you tell if a mole or skin growth is melanoma?
If a skin growth or mole is asymmetrical, has irregular borders, ununiform pigmentation, larger than a pea or changing appearance it could be melanoma.
