Skin Flashcards
What are the functions of the integumentary system?
Protection, Sensation, Temperature regulation, Excretion and Vitamin D production
The skin produces acidic secretions called
the acid mantle
What is the epidermis
the outermost layer of the skin, made up of stratified squamous epithelium
What is the dermis
underlying layer of epidermis, made up of dense connective tissue
What causes a blister
a burn or friction
What is the subcutaneous tissue or hypodermis
essentially adipose tissue, anchors skin to underlying organs and is a nutrient storage
The common type of cells in the epidermis
Keratinocytes (keratin cells)
What is keratinization
makes the epidermis a tough protective layer
The blood supply of epidermis
avascular, no blood supply
What are the 5 layers of the epiderms
stratum basale, spinosum, granulosum, lucidum and corneum
What is the stratum basale
deepest layer, contains most adequately nourished cells
What is the stratum germinativum
where the stem cells are constantly dividing and new cells are produced daily
What is the stratum spinosum
“prickly layer”, numerous cells that look prickly
What is the stratum granulosum
4-6 cell layers thick, keratinization begins, flatter
What is the stratum lucidum
the clear layer, 2-3 cell layers thick, dead keratinocytes
What is the stratum corneum
20-30 cell layers thick, dead and anucleated
The pigment inside our skin
melanin
What is the color range of melanin
yellow to brown to black
The basic unit of melanin is
melanocyte, found in the stratum basale
What is the dermis
strong, stretchy envelope that helps to bind the body together
What are the two major regions of the dermis
the papillary (areolar) and the reticular (dense irregular connective) regions
The papillary layer is the
superficial dermal region
The dermal papillae is the
superior surface of the papillary layer, has peglike projections that extend up to the epidermis
What are the functions of the dermal papillae
supplies nutrients to the epidermis, removes waste and helps regulate body temp, has the fingerprints
