Lesson 4 Integumentary System Flashcards
What is the epidermis?
Superficial layer of epithelial tissue.
What is the dermis?
Deep layer of connective tissue.
What is subcutaneous tissue?
Loose connective tissue that connects skin to underlying structures.
How is the epidermis nourished?
By diffusion from capillaries of the papillary layer of the dermis.
What are keratinocytes?
Most cells in the epidermis that produce keratin for strength.
What role do melanocytes play in the skin?
Contribute to skin color by producing melanin.
What is keratinization?
Process where cells fill with keratin, die, and form a protective layer.
Name the five strata of the epidermis.
- Stratum basale
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum lucidum
- Stratum corneum
What characterizes psoriasis?
Chronic skin disease with thicker epidermal layer producing large, silvery scales.
What is ringworm?
Fungal infection causing patchy scaling and inflammation in the skin.
What differentiates thick skin from thin skin?
Thick skin has all 5 strata, while thin skin has 4 strata (no stratum lucidum).
What are the three factors that determine skin color?
- Pigments
- Blood circulation
- Thickness of stratum corneum
What is albinism?
Deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.
What causes cyanosis?
Decrease in blood oxygen content, leading to blue skin color.
What is erythema?
Red color of the skin due to increased blood flow.
What is vitiligo?
Development of patches of white skin due to destruction of melanocytes.
What is the most common type of skin cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma.
What is melanoma?
Least common but most deadly type of skin cancer.
What does the ABCDE rule stand for in melanoma detection?
- A: Asymmetry
- B: Border irregularity
- C: Color
- D: Diameter
- E: Evolving
What are cleavage lines?
Tension lines in the skin due to the orientation of collagen and elastic fibers.
What are stretch marks?
Visible lines caused by the overstretching of the dermis.
What is the subcutaneous tissue also known as?
Hypodermis.
What are the functions of subcutaneous tissue?
- Energy source
- Insulation
- Padding
What are the three types of injections?
- Intradermal injection
- Subcutaneous injection
- Intramuscular injection
Where is hair found on the human body?
Everywhere except palms and soles.
What is a subcutaneous injection?
A subcutaneous injection is achieved by pinching the skin to form a ‘tent,’ into which a short needle is inserted.
How is an intramuscular injection performed?
An intramuscular injection is accomplished by inserting a long needle at a 90-degree angle to the skin.
Where is hair found on the human body?
Hair is found everywhere on the human body except palms, soles, lips, nipples, parts of external genitalia, and distal segments of fingers and toes.
What are the three concentric layers of hair?
- Medulla
- Cortex
- Cuticle
What is alopecia areata?
Alopecia areata, often called spot baldness, involves varying degrees of hair loss and can affect all areas of the body.
What type of gland is a sebaceous gland?
Sebaceous glands are holocrine glands that secrete oily substances.
What are the two types of sweat glands?
- Apocrine
- Eccrine (merocrine)
What is the function of ceruminous glands?
Ceruminous glands produce earwax (cerumen) that prevents dirt and insects from entering the ear.
What is the structure of nails composed of?
Nails are composed of layers of dead stratum corneum cells with hard keratin.
Where does nail growth originate?
Nail growth originates from the nail matrix and bed composed of epithelial tissue.
What is the lunula?
The lunula is a small part of the nail matrix seen through the nail body as a whitish, crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail.
What is the primary function of the integumentary system related to sensation?
The integumentary system is responsible for sensing pressure, temperature, pain, heat, cold, touch, and movement of hairs.
What is cyanosis?
Cyanosis is a bluish color to the skin that results from decreased blood O2 content.
What is jaundice?
Jaundice is a yellowish skin color that occurs when excess bile pigments accumulate in the blood.
What are the classifications of burns based on depth?
- Partial-thickness burns
- Full-thickness burns
What distinguishes first-degree burns?
First-degree burns involve only the epidermis and may result in redness, pain, and slight edema.
What are the characteristics of third-degree burns?
Third-degree burns completely destroy the epidermis and dermis, often resulting in painless areas due to destroyed sensory receptors.
What complications can arise from severe burns?
- Infection
- Venous thrombosis
- Shock
What is the significance of increased capillary permeability after a burn?
Increased capillary permeability results in loss of fluid and electrolytes, leading to decreased blood volume and potential shock.
What role does vitamin D play in calcium absorption?
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium and phosphate from the intestines.
What is the precursor molecule for vitamin D synthesis?
7-dehydrocholesterol is the precursor molecule for vitamin D synthesis.
What happens to cholecalciferol after it is formed in the skin?
Cholecalciferol is transported to the liver for modification before being sent to the kidneys for further modification to form active vitamin D3.
What is the function of the matrix in nail growth?
The matrix contains cells that give rise to the nail.
Fill in the blank: Eccrine glands produce _______.
isotonic fluid (sweat) containing mostly water and some wastes.
True or False: The skin is not involved in temperature regulation.
False
What is the role of debridement in burn treatment?
Debridement is the removal of dead tissue from the burn to help prevent infections.
What is the typical growth rate for fingernails?
Fingernails grow 0.5 to 1.2 mm/day.
What are the main functions of calcium in the body?
- Bone formation, growth, repair
- Clotting
- Nerve and muscle function
What is onycholysis?
Onycholysis refers to the separation of the nail from the nail bed.
What can cause hives in the skin?
Hives can indicate an allergy to foods or drugs, such as penicillin.
What typically happens to the body temperature of burn patients?
Burn patients may have a body temperature of 38.5°C (101.3°F) despite higher water loss by evaporation.
What causes a dark area to develop in the nail?
Blood accumulation under the nail due to trauma or injury
The dark area can be a result of bleeding, which releases bloody fluid that causes discoloration.
What caused Bob’s pain when he had a dark area under his nail?
Pressure from accumulating fluid under the nail
The pressure can lead to significant discomfort, prompting the need for relief.
How does drilling a hole in the nail relieve pain?
It releases the built-up pressure by allowing the fluid to escape
This procedure alleviates the discomfort caused by the pressure.
Why did the dark area move distally over time?
Nail growth pushes the dark area towards the free edge of the nail
As the nail grows, any discoloration moves outward.
What kinds of substances can pass easily through the skin by diffusion?
Small, lipid-soluble substances
Examples include certain medications like nicotine.
What kinds of substances have difficulty diffusing through the skin?
Large, water-soluble substances
These substances typically require different methods of administration.
What effect does vitamin A deficiency have on the skin?
Causes the skin to produce excess keratin and assume a sandpaper texture
This texture indicates a problem with skin health.
What is the effect of iron-deficiency anemia on nails?
Nails lose their normal contour and become flat or concave (spoon-shaped)
This change can indicate underlying health issues.
How can hair be used in laboratory analysis?
To detect concentrations of various substances, including toxins and drugs
This method can provide insights into a person’s exposure to harmful substances.
What is the most common skin condition in the United States?
Acne (acne vulgaris)
Approximately 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from acne.
Which bacteria are commonly found in sebum-rich areas of the skin?
Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)
Previously known as Propionibacterium acnes.
What role does the ‘good’ strain of C. acnes play in skin health?
It prevents the invasion of pathogenic bacteria by lowering skin pH
This metabolic process helps maintain a healthy skin microbiome.
Why might applying ‘good’ C. acnes be beneficial for acne prevention?
It could help eliminate the ‘bad’ strains of C. acnes responsible for acne
This approach is similar to using probiotics for gut health.
True or False: Hair analyses are reliable for determining a person’s general health or nutritional status.
False
Hair analyses are not considered reliable for this purpose.
Fill in the blank: The condition of the skin, hair, and nails is affected by _______.
nutritional status
Nutritional deficiencies can manifest in various ways in these structures.
What is the significance of the three unique strains of C. acnes identified by scientists?
One strain is dominant in acne-free skin and does not adversely affect the host
The other two strains are pathogenic and contribute to acne development.
What is the proposed mechanism by which C. acnes helps to prevent acne?
By breaking down lipids, lowering skin pH, and inhibiting pathogenic strains
This helps maintain a balanced microbiome on the skin.
Why are certain acne medications effective by inhibiting sebum production?
Reducing sebum limits the growth of acne-causing bacteria
This approach addresses one of the key factors in acne development.
