The Integument Flashcards
What does the Integument provide for the body
Protection, sensation, thermoregulation, synthesis of Vit D3
What are the 4 layers of thin skin epidermis
- Stratum basale (deepest)
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum coneum (most superficial)
What is the extra layer of epidermis found in thick skin
Stratum lucidum
What 4 cells comprise the epidermis?
KeMML
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Merkel cells
Langerhans cells
Define difference in thick vs thin skin
Thick - found in palms and soles, has 5 layers, much thicker
Thin - found throughout the body, has 4 layers, contains glands and hair follicles
Define the stratum basale
Cell composition, function, contents
Single layer of keratinocytes with stem cells
Mitotically active
Contains melanin
Define statrum spinosum
Cell composition, function
Several cell layers thick
Contains polyhedral keratinocytes with spiny processes
Produces corns and calluses
Define stratum granulosum
Cell compositor, function
Thickest layer of non-keratinized portion of the epidermis
Assembles flaggrin, which is a precursor to keratin
Define stratum corneum
A nuclear cells
Filled with mature keratin
Forms water barrier of epidermis
Continuously shed
Define stratum lucidum
A subdivision of stratum corneum, only seen in thick skin
No organelles or nuclei
What is the predominent cell within the epidermis
Keratinocytes
Define keratinocytes
Cells that produce keratin, participate in epidermal water barrier
Explain the process of keratinization
Begins with basal cell keratinocyte in the basal layer (stratum basale)
Basal cell - synthesize intermediate keratin filaments, grouped into bundles called tonofibrils
Basal cell pushed into stratum spinosum layer and becomes spinous cell
Spinous cell - begins synthesis of keratohyalin granules and glycolipid-containing lamellar bodies
Spinous cell pushed into stratum granulosum and becomes granular cell
Granular cells - discharge the laminar bodies to create a water barrier, filaggrin further promotes aggregation of keratin filaments
Now is a cornified cells which are now keratinized in the stratum corneum with no nucleus or organelles
What affects the creation of cornified cells
Ph
Define mealnocytes
Neural crest-derived cells found in stratum basale
Produced melanin and transfers it to keratinocytes
What type of tissue is the epidermis
Keratinized, stratified, squamous
Define melanin
Pigment protein that protects nuclei from UV radiation
Define the epidermal-melanin unit
One melanocyte maintains an association with a specific number of keratinocytes
How is melanin produced and excreted
4 steps
- Through the oxidation of tyrosine into DOPA by tyrosinase
- DOPA then polymerized into melanin with is UV sensitive
- Mealnosome now heads toward keratinocytes
- Transferred into keratinocytes via phagocytocis
Define langerhans cells
Antigen-presenting cells that provide defense against pathogens
Define the function of langerhans cells
Antigen is phagocytized and displayed on the cell surface
Cell then migrates to nearby lymph node to activate T-lymphocytes to destroy antigen
What are the two layers of the dermis
Papillary layer
Reticular layer
Define papillary layer
Loose CT immediately beneath epidermis
Contains thinner collagen fibers and elastic fibers
Includes vasculature and nerve endings
Define reticular layer
Deep to papillary layer
Thicker and less cellular
Contains Type I collagen and corse elastic fibers
Forms irregular lines of tension, called langer’s lines