Introduction Physiology Flashcards
What are the main integumentary components of the integument?
Cutaneous membrane structures
- Epidermis and dermis layers
Accessory organs/structures
- Hair and nails
- Exocrine/sebaceous and sweat glands
- Sensory receptors and nerve fibers
- Cutaneous plexus
**hypodermis is not part of the integument and separates the integument from the deep fascia
The three skin layers of the integument
1) epidermis
- derived from ectoderm
- composed of stratified squamous epithelium with outer keratinization layer
- purpose is to create a multi-purpose barrier between internal and external environments
2) dermis
- derived from mesoderm
- composed of connective tissues and gives skin its strength and elasticity
- also contains sensory nerves and blood vessels and its job is to provide sensation and blood supply to the dermis
3) hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)
- NOT part of the integument technically
- contains nerves/blood and lymph vessels as well as 50% of total body fat
- function is to facilitate mobility of the skin and contribute to thermal insulation
What are the two types of skin?
Thick and thin skin
- thick = >5mm thick palms/and soles of feet and has thicker epidermis
- thin = 2-3mm thick with narrow epidermal ridges (finger tips)
What are common age related changes seen in the integument?
Fewer melanocytes
Drier/thinning epidermis
Reduced blood supply and slower skin repair
Altered hair and fat distribution as well as fewer active follicles
Decreased perspiration
elderly people are also more prone to heat stress due to impaired blood flow and atrophy of the subcutaneous fat
Two types of hair
Terminal hairs
- large, coarse, dark pigmented
- includes scalp and armpit hair
Vellus hairs
- smaller, shorter and delicate
- found on the general body surface
What is the hair called on neonates?
Lanugo
- is super thin and unpigmented
- replaced with vellus hairs shortly after birth
Hair regions and associated structures
Hair shaft:
- begins deep within hair follicle
Hair root:
- anchors the hair into the skin
- includes the hair bulb which is the bottom-most portion of the root and is where new hair is generated
Root hair plexus
- collection of sensory nerves that surround the base of the follicle
Arrector pili
- smooth muscle attached to hair folllicles
- contract hair when activated
Structures associated with nails
1) nail body
- visible portion of nail and is bordered by lateral nail grooves and nail folds
- covers the nail bed which is the underlying epidermis
2) lunula
- pale crescent part of the proximal nail body
3) nail root
- epidermal fold where nail production occurs
4) eponychium
- portion of the stratum corners of the nail root that extends over exposed nail
5) hyponychium
- area of thickened stratum corneum under the free edge of the nail
What are the three types of exocrine secretions used by the integumentary exocrine glands?
1) merocrine secretion
- releases membrane-bound secretory vesicles
2) apocrine secretion
- “pinches” off portions of the rim of cells in order to secrete secretory products
3) holocrine secretion
- mature cell dies and becomes the secretory product itself
Sebaceous glands
Holocrine glands that discharge sebum onto the hair follicules and skin surface
- contractions of arrector pili muscle causes the release of sebum
Sebum = mixture of triglycerides, cholesterol, proteins and electrolytes and consists of some antimicrbial properties
Apocrine vs merocrine sweat glands
Apocrine
- compound coiled tubular glands w/ large secretory acini
- limited to axilla, groin and nipples
- secretes contents into hair follicles
- produces viscous/sticky cloudy and odorous secretions
- possible function in olfactory communications
- strongly influenced by hormones
- **does NOT contribute to temperature regulation
Merocrine
- simple coiled tubular glands
- found pretty much everywhere (highest number is on palms and soles)
- small secretory acini
- produce water secretions with electrolytes
- controlled by the nervous system
- secrete contents onto skin surface directly
- important in thermoregulation and antibiotic properties
Receptors in the dermis
Meissner corpuscles
- mechanoreceptor
- found in the papillary layer
- detect light touch pressure and vibrations
Lamellated (Pacinian) corpuscles
- mechanoreceptor
- found in dermal and hypodermis layers
- detect deep pressure and vibration
Ruffini corpuscles
- mechanoreceptor
- found in the reticular layer
- sensitive to pressure and stretching of skin
Receptors in the epidermis
Free nerve endings
- found between epidermal cells
- sensitive to touch and pressure
Tactile (merkel) discs
- found in the deepest layer of the epidermis (basale)
- detects texture and steady pressure
Barrier function of the skin
Shields against UV radiation and mechanical damage
(physical shield)
- also fungi/bacteria and viruses (microbial shield)
- also against allergens and irritants. (chemical shield)
Immunity functions of the skin
Activates mast cells, macrophages and APCs (dermal dendrocytes) as well as fibroblasts
Releases histamine, PGE, leukotrienes, cytokines
- this dilates the blood vessels and increases capillary permeability
Convection
Heat transfer through a fluid or gas that carries heat between the body and environment
- caused by molecular motion
- usually water or air
- *convective heat loss is proportional to the difference between skin and ambient temperature
Radiation
Energy that is radiated or transmitted in the form of rays or waves/particles
- occurs between skin and solid bodies in theenvironment
- *rate is proportional to the temperature difference between the skin and the object