Integumentary System Flashcards
What are the four types of tissue in the human body
Connective, epithelial, nervous, muscle
Describe epithelial tissue
- Covers exposed surfaces
- Lines internal passageways and chambers
- Form glands
Describe nervous tissue
Carries information from one part of the body to another in the form of electrical impulses
Describe muscle tissue
Specialise for contraction
What does connective tissue consist of?
- Specialised cells
- Extracellular protein fibres (collagen fibres, reticular fibres, elastic fibres)
- Ground substance
How is connective tissue classified
1) Connective tissue proper
- Loose (adipose)
- Dense (ligaments, tendons)
2) Fluid connective tissue
- eg: blood and lymph
3) Supportive connective tissue
- eg: bones and cartilage
Describe connective tissue
- Fills internal spaces
- Provides structural support and protection for other tissues/organs
- Transports fluids and dissolved materials within the body
- Stores energy
What are epithelial cells?
-Have an exposed surface and a base
-Bound closely together by cell junctions
-Attach to underlying connective tissue
via basement membrane
-Avascular (lack blood vessels)
-Receive nutrients via diffusion or absorption
-Regeneration (cell division)
How are epithelial cells classified
Based on cell shape and number of cell layers
- Simple: single layer
- Stratified: several layers
- Squamous: thin and flat shape
- Cuboidal: cube shape
- Columnar: column shape
- Transitional
What are the major organs of the integumentary system?
Skin, hair, sweat glands, nails
What is the function of the integumentary system?
- Protects against environmental hazards
- Excretion of salt, water, and organic wastes
- Maintenance of body temperature
- Synthesis of vitamin D
What are the major parts of the integumentary system?
- Cutaneous membrane (epidermis & dermis)
- Accessory structures
Can you describe the characteristics of the epidermis?
- Consists of stratified squamous epithelium (protects dermis, prevents water loss, keeps microorganisms out of body)
- Keratinocytes and melanocytes
Can you describe the characteristics of the dermis?
- Contains capillaries, lymphatic vessels, and sensory neurons that supply skin surface
- Contains collagen and elastic fibres that give the dermis strength and elasticity
