Structure (& Function) of the Skin Flashcards
Function
protection, regulation and sensation
The integumentary system
Skin, cutaneous glands, fingernail, hair
what is the Skin
largest and fastest growing organ in body
Cutaneous glands
sebaceous (sebum) and sweat glands
Fingernails
densely packed cells covered in keratin
Hair
pigmented filament (mostly keratinised cells)
Part of the integumentary system
Hair grows in the dermis from the hair follicle (from downward extension of epidermis)
Growth of hair is like skin: keratinocytes get pushed up, become flattened, dead, keratinised cells
Small muscles (arrector pili) contract when
you experience physical/ emotional changes to give you goosebumps
Two types of skin on the body
hairy and glabrous (non-hairy)
Hairy skin
covering more than 90% of the body. Hair contribute to tactile sensations, forms part of our social interaction and can detect foreign objects
Glabrous skin
mainly on palms and soles of feet. Specialised nerves to detect tactile details. Thicker than hairy skin.
Skin-function
Protection (against external environment including invasion from bacteria)
Thermoregulation
Humidity control
Produces vitamin D
Viruses, bacteria and fungi live on your skin (ecosystem)! Demodex
Stratified epithelium
(usually thinner than dermis)
Outer layer of skin with no
blood vessel supply (squamous epithelium receives blood by diffusion)
Layers (strata) of keratinocytes. Continuous cycle of cell division and death
Also contains melanocytes, Merkel cells and Langerhans cells
30-45 days for basal cells to mature and migrate to top of epidermis
Production of keratin
Basement membrane separates
the epidermis and dermis-
connection between the two allows cells and bioactive molecules to move between the two regions
Stratum corneum
flat dead keratinocytes and cross-linked keratin fibres (squamous cells) protect body from water loss. Often described as ‘bricks’ (corneocytes) and ‘mortar’ (intercellular lipids). Loss of cells from this layer (desquamation) causes barrier to become weak (entry point for irritants)
Stratum lucidum
rows of dead keratinocytes only in glabrous skin. Lipid-rich eleidin keeps out water
Stratum granulosum
mostly mature keratinocytes migrating from spinosum, keratohyalin granules and lamellar bodies (also to waterproof skin)
Stratum spinosum
mature keratinocytes linked by desmosomes producing keratin. Also contains Langerhans cells (protection form microbes)
Stratum basale
deepest layer. Basal cells push older cells up. New keratinocytes made.
Also contains melanocytes (skin pigment)
corgis lick grandpas saggy bums - make up the epidermis
stratified corneum, Stratum lucidum, Stratum lucidum, Stratum granulosum, Stratum spinosum, Stratum basale
Dermis Two parts
papillary (20% of dermal thickness) and reticular (80% of dermal thickness)
Dermis- Papillary
mostly loose connective tissue some elastic fibres, capillary loops and nerves
dermis-Reticular
dense irregular connective tissue containing collagen fibres, elastin, proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans
Fibroblasts and keratinocytes
principal cell of dermis. Production of collagen, elastic and reticular fibres and extracellular matrix
Cells of the dermis
Adipocytes
Cells of the dermis
fat cells (insulation, energy storage and wound healing)
Mast cells
Cells of the dermis
inflammatory cells that help with collagen remodelling and wound healing
Myofibroblasts
Cells of the dermis
rich in smooth muscle actin and myosin (contractile cells)
Myoepithelial cells
Cells of the dermis
cells in sweat glands