Integumentary System Flashcards
What are the functions of the skin?
- protection
- vitamin D production
- temperature regulation
- water retention
- sensation
- non verbal communication
What are the two layers of the skin?
The outer later is the epidermis and the inner layer is the dermis
What is the third layer that is technically not considered a part of the skin?
The hypodermis (subcutaneous layer), it is composed of areolar connective tissue and adipose connective tissue
What is the function of the hypodermis?
aids in insulations and serves as an energy source
What is the epidermis composed of?
stratified squamous epithelial tissue
What is the dermis composed of?
dense areolar connective tissue
What is keratin?
a tough waterproof protein
What are melanocytes?
cells that produce a pigment called melanin, this pigment is responsible for skin colour variation and is determined genetically.
What is the vitamin formed in the skin?
vitamin D, which is made when the skin is exposed to sun rays
What is the dermis also known as?
the true skin
The dermis contain many blood vessels, what do the vessels function to do?
- provide nourishment to itself and to the epidermis above it
- aid in regulating body temperature: when temp increases blood vessels dilate and permit loss of heat and when temp decreases they constrict and prevent heat loss
What is papillae?
Elevations on the surface of the dermis that create ridges in the epidermis. These ridges help to anchor the epidermis to the dermis. Ridges of the papillae form fingerprints
The dermis contains many nerve fibres, what does it contain sensory receptors for?
pressure, touch, temperature, and pain sensations that provide sensory information about our external environment
What are the accessory organs found in the skin?
hair follicles
sebaceous glands
sweat glands
nails
What is a hair follicle?
hair develops from hair follicles that are epidermal cells at the base of a tube like depression
What does the hair shaft consist of?
keratinized epidermal cells
What is the arrector pili?
a small muscle that is attached to each follicle, it reacts to fear and cold causing each hair to stand up resulting in goose bumps
What are the two types of glands found in the skin?
sebaceous glands and sweat glands
sebaceous glands: are found in the dermis and lubricate the hair and skin by producing oily secretion called sebum
sweat glands: there are two kinds of sweat glands merocrine and apocrine.
the merocrine open through pores in the epidermis they function throughout life and mostly respond to elevated body temperatures. Most common on the forehead, palms and soles.
the apocrine open into hair follicles and most numerous in the axillary and pubic and begin to function at puberty
What are the functions of nails?
They protect the underlying tissue, nails contain keratin which harden them for better protection
