physiology of the integumentary system study guide

Question 1

List the functions of the skin.

Answer 1

• protection
• regulation of body temp
• cutaneous sensation
• metabolic functions
• blood reservoir
• waste exretion

Question 2

How does skin act as a chemical, biological, and physical barrier?

Answer 2

chemical: has an acid mantle that serves as an antibacterial layer, and melanin is a barrier against UV radiation
physical: flat, dead, keratinized cells of stratum corneum block most water and water-soluble substances
biological: epidermis contains phagocytic cells able to capture foreign antigens and stimulate immune response. dermis contains macrophages

Question 3

What two things does skin do to regulate body temperature?

Answer 3

insensible perspiration-produced under normal resting body temp
sensible perspiration-produced when body temp rises and the dermal vessels will dilate
cold-dermal blood vessels constrict and temp drops

Question 4

Describe the process of skin acting as a blood reservoir and blood shunting in times of need.

Answer 4

skin can hold up to 5% of the body’s total blood volume
- dermal blood vessels can be constricted to shunt blood to other organs; for example when you get scared, blood will rush to your legs to prepare you to run. when you don’t run, the blood will move back to your skin over the course of a few minutes

Question 4

Why is vitamin D important?

Answer 4

it is needed to absorb calcium

Question 5

What are the 3 types of skin cancer?

Answer 5

• basal cell carcinoma
• squamous cell carcinomea
• melanoma

Question 5

What cell type/epidermal layer is impacted with each type of cancer?

Answer 5

• BCC: dermis and hypodermis
• SCC: keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum
• Melanoma: cancer of the melanocytes

Question 6

Which cancer is the most dangerous?

Answer 6

Melanoma

Question 7

What does ABCD mean in terms of detection?

Answer 7

• asymmetry
• border irregularity
• color (usually many)
• diameter (is it getting bigger)

Question 8

What are the immediate medical concerns in persons who are burned?

Answer 8

• dehydration and electrolyte imbalance - potential renal failure and circulatory shock

Question 9

How are burns classified by severity? What do those classifications mean?

Answer 9

1st degree: epidermal damage - redness, edema, pain
2nd degree: epidermal and upper dermal damage - blisters, partial thickness
3rd degree: full thickness, skin turns gray/white/black, no edema, no pain, requires skin grafting