Skin Flashcards
which organ is the heaviest comprising 16% of body weight?
skin
what are the three layers of skin?
epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissues
what are the functions of skin?
- homeostasis
- provides boundaries for body fluids, protecting underlying tissues from microorganisms, harmful substances, and radiation
- Modulates body temperature and synthesizes vitamin D.
Thin and devoid of blood vessels and divided into outer horny layer and inner cellular layer. Depends on dermis for nutrition.
epidermis
Supplied with blood; Contains connective tissue, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles
dermis
Fat layer
Hypodermis/Subcutaneous tissues
name the four pigments of skin
melanin, carotene, oxy and deoxyhemoglobin
the brownish pigment of the skin, genetically determined, increased by sunlight.
melanin
a golden yellow pigment that exists in subcutaneous fat and in heavily keratinized areas like palms and soles.
carotene
a bright red pigment, predominates in arteries and capillaries
oxyhemoglobin
darker somewhat bluer pigment from oxyhemoglobin losing its oxygen to the tissues. Increase causes cyanosis.
deoxyhemoglobin
name the two types of hair
vellus and terminal
short fine, inconspicuous, and relatively unpigmented. (arms)
vellus
coarser, thicker, more conspicuous, and usually pigmented (ex. Scalp hair and eyebrows).
terminal
what is the function of nails?
Protects the distal ends of the fingers and toes.
where do fingernails get their pinkish color?
underlying vascular nail bed
be able to identify the following: Lunula (whitish moon), proximal nail fold, cuticle, lateral nail fold.

at what rate do fingernails grow?
Fingernails grow 0.1 mm daily. Toenails grow more slowly.
what are the two basic types of glands?
sebaceous and sweat
what is the purpose of sebaceous glands?
produce a fatty substance that is secreted onto the skin surface through the hair follicles
where are sebaceous glands located?
Present on all skin surfaces except palms and soles
name the two types of sweat glands
eccrine and apocrine
______ glands: widely distributed and open directly onto the skin surface. Control body temperature.
eccrine
________ glands: found chiefly in axillary and genital regions, open onto hair follicles, and stimulated by emotional stress.
apocrine














