Integumentary System/Skin (Q1,P3) Flashcards
Skin
- The body’s largest organ
- Accounts for 7% of body weight
Divided into two distinct layers: Epidermis & Dermis
Epidermis
- External Layer of the skin
- stratified squamous epithelial tissue
- Contains 4 main cell types: Kertainocytes, Melanocytes, Merkel Cells, Langerhans cells
Dermis
- Second major layer of the skin
- Strong, flexible connective tissue; cells associated with any connective tissue proper
- Binds the entire body together like a stocking
- Richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves
- Has two layers: Papillary Layer, Reticular Layer
Hypodermis
lies deep to the dermis and is not considered part of the skin
- also called superficial fascia and the subcutaneous layer.
- Contains areolar and adipose connective tissues; adipose tissue predominates.
- Stores Fat
- Anchors skin to underlying structures
- Helps insulate the body
Functions of the Skin
- Cushions and insulates deeper organs
- Protects body from bumps, scrapes, and cuts
- Protects body from chemicals, heat, and cold
- Acts as a mini-excretory system
- Screens out UV rays from the sun
- Contains sensory receptors associated with nerve endings
Keratinocytes
- Cell type of the Epidermis
- most abundant
- Arise from deepest layer of epidermis
- Produce keratin – a tough fibrous protein
- Produce antibiotics and enzymes
- Keratinocytes are dead at skin’s surface
Melanocytes
- Cell type of the Epidermis
- produce melanin; a dark skin pigment.
- found in the basal layer of the epidermis
Merkel Cells
- Cell type of the Epidermis
- associated with a sensory nerve ending and may serve as a receptor for touch.
- found in the basal layer of the epidermis
Langerhans Cells
- Cell type of the Epidermis
- part of the immune system; use endocytosis to take up foreign proteins (antigens) that have invaded the epidermis.
- Contains star-shaped Langerhans cells
- Found in the spiny layer
Papillary layer
- Layer of the dermis
- superficial layer - includes dermal papillae – 20% of thickness of the dermis – areolar connective tissue
Reticular Layer
- Layer of the dermis
- deeper layer – 80% of thickness of dermis – dense irregular connective tissue
Melanin
- skin color pigment
- most important pigment; ranges from yellow to reddish to brown to black
Carotene
- skin color pigment
- yellowish pigment from carrots and tomatoes
Hemoglobin
- skin color pigment
- Allows crimson color of oxygenated hemoglobin to show through
Hair
- Appendage of the skin
- Flexible strand of dead, keratinized cells
- Made of Hard keratin – tough and durable
- 2 Chief parts of a hair
Root – imbedded in the skin
Shaft – projects above skin’s surface
Sebaceous Glands/Oil Glands
- Appendage of the skin
- Occur over entire body, except palms and soles
- Secrete sebum
Sudoriferous/Sweat Glands
- Appendage of the skin
- widely distributed throughout the body
- Sweating prevents overheating of the body, because sweat cools the skin as it evaporates, filtrates blood
- Has two types: eccrine gland, apocrine gland
Eccrine Gland
Type of sweat gland
- Most numerous – produce true sweat; 99% water, with some NaCl, and metabolic wastes (urea, ammonia, uric acid)
Apocrine Gland
- Only in axillary, anal, and genital areas
- larger than eccrine glands, and their ducts open into hair follicles
Produce a special kind of sweat consisting of fatty substances and proteins, as well as the components of true sweat; - when bacteria on the skin decompose these substances, it takes on a musky smell (the source of body odor)
Nails
- Appendage of the skin
- scale-like modification of epidermis
- Made of hard keratin
First Degree Burn
only epidermis is damaged
Second Degree Burn
- upper part of dermis is also damaged
- Blisters appear
- Skin heals with little scarring
Third Degree Burn
- consume thickness of skin
- Burned area appears white, red, or blackened