Integumentary System And Assessment Flashcards
Integumentary system
Body’s first line of defence, largest organ in your body, composed of cutaneous membrane (skin), accessory structures (hair, nails, exocrine glands)
Cutaneous Membrane
Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis/subcutaneous layer
Epidermis
Stratified squamous epithelium
Dermis
Papillary layer of areolar tissue, reticular layer of dense irregular connective tissue
Hypodermis/subcutaneous layer
Connective tissue deep to integument
Cutaneous membrane
Epidermis
Dermis - papillary layer, reticular layer
Accessory structures
Hair shaft, pore of sweat gland duct, touch and pressure receptors, sebaceous gland, arrector pili muscle, seat gland duct, hair follicle, nerve fibres, sweat gland
Cutaneous plexus
Network of arteries and veins associated with integumentary tissues
Integumentary system functions
Protection, excretion, body temperature regulation, vitamin D3 synthesis, lipid storage, sensory input
Protection
Protects underlying tissues and organs from impact/abrasion/fluid loss/chemical attack.
Produces melanin, produces keratin, coordinates immune response to pathogens and skin cancer.
Melanin
Protects underlying tissue from UV radiation
Keratin
Protects against abrasion and repels water
Excretion
Excretes salts, water, organic wastes
Body temperature regulation
Maintains normal body temperature through insulation or evaporative cooling
Vitamin D3 synthesis
Converted to calcitriol, important in calcium metabolism
Lipid storage
Stored in adipocytes in dermis and hypodermis
Sensory input
Detects touch, pressure, pain, tempurature
Dermal circulation
Blood flows to dermis through papillary plexus.
More blood flow to region results in redder colour.
Less blood flow to region results in cyanosis
Thin skin
Covers most of the body surface.
Four strata (layers).
Epidermis is as thin as a plastic sandwich bag (0.08mm)