Integumentary system Flashcards
What is the integumentary system?
The skin and its accessory organs
What is the structure of the skin?
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
What is the function of the hypodermis?
Anchors the dermis to the epidermis
What are the 2 zones of the dermis?
Papillary layer
Reticular layer
Structure and function of papillary layer?
Thin region of loose connective tissue (areolar)
Allows mobility of leukocytes, mast and macrophage cells
Structure and function of the reticular layer
Thick layer of dense irregular connective tissue
Adipocyte clusters
Stretches skin in weight gain
Function of a fibroblast
Produces laminin and fibronectin
What are the accessory organs of the dermis
Hair
Nails
Oil
Sweat glands
What are some specialisations of the dermis?
Rich layer of blood and lymphatic vessels
Nerve endings
Arteriovenous anastomoses
What is an arteriovenous anastomoses?
Direct connections between small arteries and small veins
Aids in thermoregulation
Structure of the dermal-epidermal boundary?
Wavy boundary of finger like projections
Dermal papillae and epidermal ridges
What do tall dermal papillae facilitate?
Nerve fibres reaching close to the dermal epidermal boundary in highly sensitive areas
What type of epithelium is the epidermis?
A keratinised stratified squamous
Name the 4 layers of thin skin
Stratum Basale
Stratum spinosum
Stratum granulosum
Stratum corneum
Where is ‘thick’ skin found?
Palms and feet
Name the 5 layers of thick skin
Stratum corneum
Stratum lucidium
Stratum granulosum
Stratum spinosum
Stratum Basale
What is the self-regeneration time for the epidermis?
2-4 weeks
What cells does the stratum basale contain?
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Tactile/Merkel cells
Where are keratinocytes mitotically active?
Basement membrane
What pigment does pheomelanin give off?
Red soluble pigment
What pigment does eumelanin give off?
Brown insoluble pigment
Function of tactile/Merkel cells
Connect to sensory nerves to give sense of touch