INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM Flashcards
Define Epidermis
the skin’s outer layer, which contains 5 layers
Epidermis is composed of:
stratified squamous epithelium, thus it is avascular and thin
What is epidermis’ function?
It acts as a mechanical and chemical barrier, protects structures, participates in immunity responses, it contains sensory receptors, and regulates body temperature by secreting sweat
Define Keratin
A tough protein that hardens and flattens cells as they move towards the skin’s surface
How does keratin enter cells?
Via Keratinization
Where are dead skin cells found?
On the epidermis, the stratum germinativum, hair, and nails
Define the Stratum Germinativum and its function(s)?
It’s the layer above the dermis that produces millions of cells. It pushes older cells towards the layer above it: the stratum corneum
Define the Stratum Corneum and its function(s)?
It is The visible layer of our skin that contains 30~ layers of dead cells. The corneum is responsible for sloughing (or desquamating) the dead skin cells.
Define the Dermis
Lower skin layer that gives skin its stretch and elasticity
Where is the dermis located?
Beneath the epidermis, making it the largest portion of the skin
What is the dermis composed of?
dense, fibrous connective tissue and collagen/elastin fibers surrounded by a gel-like substance
What is found in the Dermis?
Hair, nails, glands, blood vessels that oxygenate the epidermis, nervous tissue and some muscle tissues
What is the Subcutaneous Tissue and its function(s)?
It is loose connective/adipose tissue found in the subcutaneous layer that insulates the body from extreme temperatures and anchors skin to underlying structures
What is a melanocyte?
A specialized cell responsible for providing our skin with its color. The amount of melanin in the melanocyte, not the amount of melanocytes themselves, is what determines our skin tone.
“Loss of hair” is known as:
Alopecia
What are the two most common hair loss disorders?
Male pattern baldness and hair loss due to radiation therapy/chemo
Define the covered skin disorders and their symptoms
Albinism: a lack of melanin secretions in melanocytes, resulting in stark white bodily hair, skin, and irises
Vitiligo: a loss of pigment in skin areas, resulting in white skin patches (moles and freckles [local over concentration])
Carotene: yellowish tint of the skin
Blood: gives fair-skinned PTs a pinkish tint
Cyanosis: bluish-tint of the skin
Pallor: ashen or pale skin
Ecchymosis: blue or black skin area (bruise)
Bilirubin: skin color changes to a yellowish or orangeish tint resulting from diseases (liver disease)
What are sebaceous glands and their function(s)?
They’re an oily gland associated with hair follicles and found on the whole body. They secrete sebum— an oil substance that waterproofs, lubricates, and inhibits bacterial growth of the hair and skin.
What are the 2 major exocrine glands?
The sebaceous glands and sweat glands—which secrets sweat into ducts that open into pores
How do apocrine glands differ from eccrine glands?
Apocrine glands—hair follicles, found in the axillary and and gential areas; they respond to emotional stress and activate during fear, sexual arousal, or pain
Eccrine gland — more numerous and distributed of the 2, it’s secreted sweat for body temperature regulation. These glands cause profuse perspiration (hot days, exercise) comprised of water and few salts
Identify the normal bodily temperature range and how it is maintained
Although some body parts have varying temps, the average temp of 97-100 is maintained by thermoregulation
Define heat production and its factors
Thermal energy produced by millions of intercellular chemical reactions, making the basis of body temp dependent on metabolizing cells. The amount of heat produced can be affected by food consumption, amounts/types of secreted hormones; increasing heat can result from exercise.
Define hyperthermia and hypothermia
Hypo— excessive decrease in body temperatures
Hyper — excessive increase of body temperature
What are the 4 factors of heat loss?
Radiation: heat is lost from an object to the cooler, surrounding air
Conduction: loss of heat from a warm body resulting from contact with cooler object
Convection: loss of heat by air currents moving over the surface
Evaporation: when a liquid becomes a gas
What is an arrector pili?
Muscles that cause goosebumps, indicating a sharp decrease in external temperature (nipples)
What is non shivering thermogenesis?
Metabolism of brown adipose tissue in neonates that causes heat generation to disperse throughout the body
Classify the Burns category
1st degree: superficial, red, painful, slightly swollen
2nd degree: epidermal & dermal damage, redness, pain, swelling, blisters and possibly tan/white skin
3rd degree burns (or full thickness burns): epidermis and dermis destroyed, painless due to nerve destruction, under layers of skin destroyed, and may appear black, brown, deep/cherry red, tan, or white.
4th degree: epidermis, dermis, and fat layers are destroyed, possible exposure of muscles or bone, Eschar is present and may need to be removed for promotion of breathing and blood flow
Explain what happens to geriatrics and their skin as they age and the prevention techniques it includes
Older skin loses elasticity, moisture, becomes slower to heal, and thinner. To combat the fragility of the skin, avoid excessive use of soap, promote hydration of water, and main the skin’s acids surface to avoid bacterial growth
What are the 4 cells related to the epidermis?
Langerhans, kerotinocytes, merkle cells, and melanocytes
