Integumentary System Flashcards
Integumentary system
made up of the skin and its relayed structures, performs important functions in maintaining the health of the body
integument comes from Latin word - to cover or enclose
Functions of the skin
-the skin waterproofs the body and prevents fluid loss
-intact skin plays an important role in the immune system by blocking the entrance of pathogens into the body
-skin is the major receptor for the sense of touch
-skin helps the body synthesize vitamin D, while screening out some harmful ultraviolet radiation
Sebaceous glands
secrete sebum that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria on the skin
sweat glands
-helps regulate body temp and water content by secreting sweat
-a small amount of metabolic waste is also excreted through the sweat glands
hair
helps control the loss of body heat
nails
protect the dorsal surface of the last bone of each toe and finger
epidermis
outermost layer of the skin made of several epithelial tissues
epithelial tissues
form a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body
squamous epithelial tissue
forms the upper layer of the epidermis, scalelike, this layer consists of flat, scaly cells that are continuously shed
basal layer
lowest layer of the epidermis, new cells are produced then pushed upward, when the cells reach the surface, they die and become filled with keratin
keratin
fibrous, water-repellent protein
melanocytes
special cells that are also found in the basal cell layer, they contain a dark brown to black pigment known as melanin
melanin
pigment that determines the colour of the skin, which depends on the type and amount of this pigment that is present
the dermis
the thick layer of living tissue directly below the epidermis, it contains connective tissues, blood and lymph vessels, and nerve fibers
collagen
tough, yet flexible, fibrous protein material found in the skin, and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons and ligaments
mast cells
found in the connective tissue of the dermis, respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances, including heparin and histamine
heparin
released in response to an injury and is an anticoagulant
histamine
released in response to allergens, causes the signs of an allergic response
subcutaneous layer
the layer located just below the layers of the skin and connects the skin to the surface muscles, consists of loose connective tissue and adipose tissue
lipocytes
aka fat cells, are predominant in the subcutaneous layer where they manufacture and store large quantities of fat
sebaceous glands
located in the dermis layer of the skin and are closely associated with hair follicles
sweat glands
tiny coiled glands found on almost all body surfaces
hair fibres
rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin
-the darkness and colour of the hair is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by the melanocytes that surround the core of the hair shaft
hair follicles
sacs that hold the root of the hair fibres
-shape of the follicles determines whether the hair is straight or curly
arrector pili
tiny muscle fibres attached to the hair follicles that cause the hair to stand erect
unguis
a fingernail or toenail, the keratin plate that protects the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe
nail body
translucent, and closely molded to the surface of the underlying tissues
-made up of hard, keratinized plates of epidermal cells
nail bed
joins the nail body to the underlying connectice tissue, nourishes the nail
-blood vessels here give the nail its pink colour
free bed
portion of the nail not attached to the nail bed, extends beyond the tip of the finger or toe
lunula
pale half-moon shaped region at every nail root, this is the active area of the nail where new keratin cells form
cuticle
narrow band of epidermis atatched to the surface of the nail just in front of the root, protecting the new keratin cells as they form
nail root
fastens the nail to the finger or toes by fitting into a groove in the skin
Acne vulgaris
(acne) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum around the hair shaft
comedo
a non-infected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle often associated with acne vulgaris
closed comedo
(whitehead) a comedo with an obstructed opening
sebum plug
a sebum plug that is exposed to air, oxidizes and becomes an open comedo (blackhead)
sebaceous cyst
closed sac associated with a sebaceous gland that is found just under the skin
-these cysts contain yellow, fatty material and are usually found on the face, neck or trunk
seborrhea
overactivity of the sebaceous glands that result in the production of an excessive amount of sebum
sebhorrheic dermatitis
an inflammation sometimes resulting from sebhorrea that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp
sebhorrheic keratosis
benign skin growth that has a waxy look
-these growths, which can vary in colour from light to black, occur most commonly in the elderly
anhidrosis
the abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat
diaphoresis
profuse sweating, this is a normal condition when brought on by heat or exertion, but can also be the body’s response to emotional or physical distress
heat rash
an intensely itchy rash caused by the blockage of the sweat glands by bacteria and dead cells
hyperhidrosis
a condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body
sleep hyperhidrosis
occurrence of hyperhidrosis during sleep
-there are a number of causes including menopause, certain medications and some infectious diseases
folliculitis
inflammation of the hair follicules, this condition is especially common on arms, legs and in the beard area of men
trichomyscosis axillaris
superficial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands, such as the armpits
Hirsutism
the presence of excessive body and facial hair in women, usually occuring in a male pattern, can be hereditary or caused by a hormonal imbalance
alopecia
the partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp
clubbing
the abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by the enlargement of the fingertips
-this condition can be hereditary, but usually is caused by changes associtated with oxygen deficiencies related to coronary or pulmonary disease
koilonychia
a malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon, often an indication of iron-deficiency anemia
onychia
an inflammation of the matrix of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail
onychocryptosis
an ingrown toenail, the edges of a toenail, usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin, the affected area is prone to inflammation or infection
onychomycosis
fungal infection of the nail, depending on the type of fungus involved, this condition can cause the nails to turn white, yellow, green, or black and to become thick or brittle
onychophagia
nail biting or nail eating
paronychia
an acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail
age spots
aka solar lentigines or liver spots
-discolorations caused by sun exposure
-although harmless, these spots sometimes resemble skin cancer growths
albinism
a genetic condition characterized by a deficiency of the absence of pigment in the skin, hair and irises of the eyes
-this condition is the result of a missing enzyme that is necessary for the production of melanin
chloasma
aka melasma or the mask of pregnancy
-a pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face
-this can occur during pregnancy, especially among women with dark hair and fair skin, and usually disappaears after delivery
vitiligo
a skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes
-vitiligo causes irregular patches of white skin, a process known as depigmentation
-hair growing in an affected area may also turn white
contusion
an injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin is characterized by discoloration and pain
-this discoloration is caused by an accumulation od blood within the skin
ecchymosis
aka a bruise
-a large, irregular area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin
purpura
the appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin, these areas of discoloration are smaller than an ecchymosis and larger than petechiae
petechiae
very small, pinpoint hemorrhages that are less than 2mm in diameter, these hemorrhages sometimes result from high fevers
a crust
aka scab
-a collection of dried serum and cellular debris
erosion
the wearing away of a surface, such as the epidermis of the skin or the outer layer of a mucus membrane
-the term can also describe the progressive loss of dental enamel
macule
aka a macula, is a discolored flat spot that is less than 1cm in diameter
e.g. freckles or flat moles
nodule
a solid, raised skin legion that is larger than 0.5cm in diameter and deeper than a papule
-in acne vulgaris, nodules can cause scarring
papule
a small, raised red lesion that is less than 0.5cm in diameter and does not contain pus
-e.g. small pimpes and insect bites
plaque
a scaly, solid raised area of closely spaced papules
scales
flakes or dry patches of excess dead epidermal cells
-some shedding of these scales is normal; however, excessive shedding is associated with skin disordereds such as psoriasis
verrucae
aka warts
-small, hard skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus
-plantar warts are verrucae that develop on the sole of the foot
wheal
aka a welt
-a small bump that itches
-wheals can appear as urticaria, or hives as a symptom of an allergic reaction
abscess
a closed pocket containing pus that is caused by a bacterial infection
-can appear on the skin or within other structures if the body
purulent
means producing or containing pus
exudate
a fluid, such as ous, that leaks out of an infected wound
cyst
an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid or a semisolid material
-the term cyst can also refer to a sac or vesicle elsewhere in the body
-the most common type of skin cyst is a sebaceous cyst
birthmark
a mole or blemish on the skin present at birth or shortly thereafter
-some fade as children get older
pigmented birthmarks
include nevi, aka moles, as well a scafe-au-lait spots, stork bites and other irregularities in skin colour
vascular birthmarks
caused by blood vessels close to the skins surface
capillary hemangioma
aka strawberry birthmark
-a soft, raised, pink or red vascular birthmark
-a hemangioma is a benign tissue mass made up of newly formed small blood vessels that in birthmarks are visible through the skin
port-wine stain
a flat, vascular birthmark made up of dilated blood capillaries, creating a large, reddish purple discoloration on the face or neck
dermatitis
describes an inflammation of the skin
-this condition, which takes many forms, is usually characterized by redness, swelling and itching
contact dermatitis
a localized allergic response caused by contact with an irritant (e.g. diaper rash)
-can also be caused by exposure to an allergen, such as poison ivy, or an allergic rxn to latex gloves
eczema
aka atopic dermatitis
-form of persistent or recurring dermatitis usually characterized by redness, itching and dryness, with possible blistering, cracking, oozing or bleeding
-most often seen in infants and children and appears to be the result of a malfunction of the body’s immune system
exfoliative dermatitis
a condition in which there is widespread scaling of the skin
-often accompanied by pruritus, erythroderma and hair loss
-may occur in severe cases of eczema, psoriasis and allergic reactions
erythema
the redness of the skin due to capillary dilation
erythema infectiosum
a mildly contagious viral infection that is common in childhood
-presents as a red, lace-like rash on the child’s face
erythema multiforme
skin disorder resulting from a generalized allergic rxn to an illness, infection or medication
-characterized by a rash that may appear as nodules or papules, macules, vesicles or bullae
erythema pernio
aka chilblains
-purple-red inflammation that occurs when the small blood vessels below the skin are damaged, usually due to exposure to cold and damp weather
sunburn
form of erythema in which skin cells are damaged by exposure to uv radiation
erythroderma
abnormal redness of the entire skin surface
exanthem
refers to a widespread rash, usually in children
rash
a breaking out, or eruption, that changes the colour or texture of the skin
dermatosis
a general term used to denote skin lesions or eruptions of any type that are not associated with inflammation
ichthyosis
a group of hereditary disorders characterized by dry, thickened, and scaly skin
-these conditions are caused either by the slowing of the skin’s natural shedding process or by a rapid increase in the production of the skin’s cells
lipedema
aka painful fat syndrome
-a chronic abnormal condition that is characterized by the accumulation of fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin of the hips and legs
-this condition usually affects women and even with weight loss, this localized excess fat does not go away
systemic lupus erythematosus
aka lupus
-an autoimmune disorder characterized by a red, scaly rash on the face and upper trunk
-in addition to the skin, this condition also attacks the connective tissue in other body systems, especially in the joints
psoriasis
a common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back
rosacea
aka adult acne
-characterized by tiny red pimples and broken blood vessels
-this chronic condition of unknown cause usually develops in individuals with fair skin, b/w 30 and 60 years of age
rhinophyma
aka bulbous nose
-usually occurs in older men
-this condition is characterized by the hyperplasia of the tissues of the nose and is associated with advanced rosacea
sclerodema
an autoimmune disorder in which the connective tissues become thickened and hardened, causing the skin to become hard and swollen
-this condition can also affect the joints and internal organs
urticaria
aka hives
-itchy wheals caused by an allergic rxn
