MT M3 3.1 into to integu sys Flashcards
skin
The function of the skin is to protect the body, regulate temperature, sense the surrounding environment, and secrete various substances.
skin
protects
The skin protects the deeper tissues from invasion from foreign bodies such as bacteria and viruses. It can prevent mechanical injury and excessive water loss, store both food and water, and guard the body from too much exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun.
skin
regulates the body’s temperature
When body temperature rises, the blood vessels in the skin can dilate, which enables more blood to be brought to the surface of the body and heat to radiate out from the skin. Additionally, sweat glands will secrete more sweat to evaporate and cool the body. When body temperature drops, the blood vessels in the skin will constrict, which keeps the blood and heat closer to the core of the body.
skin
senses
The skin senses the surrounding environment through millions of nerve endings that sense pain, touch, heat, cold, and pressure. These nerves then travel to the brain and provoke a response to the signal.
skin
secretes
the skin secretes substances through sweat glands and sebaceous glands
Sweat glands
Sweat glands secrete sweat, which is made up of water, salt, and other chemicals. This functions to cool the body.
Sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands secrete sebum, which is an oily substance that protects the skin from dehydration.
skin
How many layers
The skin is made up of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis
epidermis
The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin, and it is made up of 5 layers. The layers of the epidermis from deep to superficial are
stratum germinativum
stratum spinosum
stratum granulosum
stratum lucidum
stratum corneum
stratum germinativum
The deepest layer of the epidermis is where new skin cells are generated.
stratum spinosum
Stratum spinosum means “spiny layer.” This layer is above the stratum germinativum, and as the skin cells divide in the lowest layer, the cells are pushed up into the stratum spinosum layer. This layer also contains the Langerhans cells, which function to protect the skin from invading microorganisms
stratum granulosum
The stratum granulosum and stratum lucidum are largely formed from keratin.
Keratin
Keratin is the protein that forms hair, nails, and the thick skin of the palms and soles.
stratum corneum
The stratum corneum is the most superficial layer of the skin that is made up of dead skin cells and functions to protect the deeper layers.
dermis
The dermis is deep to the epidermis and is made up of connective tissue. This layer contains the nerves and nerve endings, blood vessels, sebaceous and sweat glands, elastic fibers, hair follicles, and lymphatics.