Structures and Function of the Integumentary System Flashcards
The outermost layer of the skin.
Epidermis
Located in the dermis layer of the skin. Secretes sebum, an oily substance that is released through ducts opening into the hair follicles. From here, the sebum moves onto the surface of the skin and lubricates the skin.
Sebaceous glands
The pigment that determines the colour of the skin.
Melanin
aka “fat cells”. Predominant in the subcutaneous layer.
Lipocytes
Openings on the surface of the skin that act as the ducts of the sweat glands.
Pores
The production and excretion of perspiration (the process of sweating).
Hidrosis
Milk-producing glands. Modified sweat glands. Classified in both the integumentary and reproductive systems.
Mammary glands
Rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin.
Hair fibers
Pale half-moon shaped region at every nail root. This is the active area of the nail, where new keratin cells form.
Lunula
The sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers. The shape of the hair follicle determines whether hair is straight or curly.
Hair follicles
aka “goosebumps”. In response to cold or fright, these hair follicles attached to the muscles fibers tends to contract, causing raised areas of skin.
Arrector pili
Fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin.
Nail root
Fibrous protein found in hair, nails, and skin
Keratin
aka “fingernail or toenail”
Unguis
The layer of tissue below the epidermis
Dermis
