Skin and Membranes Flashcards
What are the 2 main categories of membranes in the body?
a. Epithelial
b. Connective
Which of the body’s membranes are types of epithelial membranes?
Cutaneous membrane
Serous membrane, and
Mucous membrane
What fluid(s) is/are produced by serous, mucous, and synovial membranes?
What is the function of each fluid?
a. Serous: Secretes a thin, watery fluid that helps reduce friction and serves as a lubricant when organs rub against one another and against the walls of the cavities that contain them
b. Mucous: Secretes a thick, slimy material called mucus that keeps the membranes moist and soft
c. Synovial: Secretes a thick, colorless lubricating fluid that helps reduce friction between the opposing surfaces of bones in movable joints
What is the mucocutaneous junction?
used to describe the transitional area that serves as a point of “fusion” where skin and mucous membranes meet.
What are the 2 major layers of the skin?
Epidermis and dermis
Where in the skin would you find layers of dead, keratinized cells?
Stratum corneum
How is hair formed?
Hair begins when cells of the epidermal layer of the skin grow down into the dermis, forming a small tube called the hair follicle. Hair growth begins from a small, cap-shaped cluster of cells called the hair papilla, which is located at the base of the follicle. As long as cells in the papilla of the hair follicle remain alive, new hair will replace any that is cut or plucked.
Where in the skin would you find sensory nerve receptors?
Meissner corpuscle, Pacini corpuscle, and Krause end bulbs
Name 5 accessory structures of the skin.
a. hair
b. arrector pili muscle
c. nails
d. skin receptors
e. sweat “sudoriferous” glands (eccrine and apocrine)
f. oil “sebaceous” glands
What are the five most important functions of the skin?
Protection, temperature regulation, sense organ activity, excretion, vitamin D synthesis
What sensory stimuli can be detected by the skin?
Light touch, deep pressure, pain, heat, and cold, to name a few
When referring to burns, what is meant by the “rule of nines”?
How can the skin surface area covered by a burn be estimated?
The “rule of nines” is the most commonly used method of determining the extent of a burn. The body is divided into 11 areas, each covering approximately 9% of the total body surface area, with the area around the genitals representing the additional 1%.
How do first-degree, second-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree burns differ?
a. First-degree burn: Minor discomfort and some reddening of the skin. An example might be a typical sunburn.
b. Second-degree burn: Blisters, severe pain, generalized swelling, and fluid loss are characteristic of this type of burn. Scarring is common.
c. Third-degree burn: Characterized by complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis. These burns may involve underlying muscles and even bone.
d. Fourth-degree burn: Extends below the subcutaneous tissue to reach muscle or bone. Treatment may require extensive skin grafting and even amputation of limbs.
How do basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma differ?
a. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It usually appears on the upper face and is much less likely to metastasize than other types.
b. Squamous cell carcinoma is a slow-growing malignant tumor of the epidermis. If not treated, squamous cell carcinomas will grow in size and eventually metastasize.
c. Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer. This type of cancer sometimes develops from a benign or noncancerous pigmented mole and then transforms into a dark, spreading cancerous lesion.
Define membrane, and name the 2 major categories of body membranes.
