The Integument (skin) Flashcards
Skin Fxn: Barrier system
Protection from microorganisms/UV light
Relatively impermeable to water (prevents evaporation of body fluids)
Skin Fxn: Sensation
Highly innervated with lots of receptors
Skin Fxn: Thermoregulation
Sweat glands, vasodilation
Skin Fxn: Plasticity-elasticity
Allows for changes in size and shape
3 Layers of skin
- Epidermis: epithelial cells
- Dermis: CT
- Hypodermis: Subcutaneous tissue; superficial fascia CT
Thick Skin (Glabrous)
400-600 um (thinkness)–more force put on
Hairless
Soles feet
Palms
Thin Skin
75-100 um
Hairy
Everywhere else
Cell Layers of Epidermis
Stratum basale (inner most) Stratum spinosum Stratum granulosum Stratum lucidum Stratum corneum (most superficial)
Stratum Basale (Germinativum)
Single layer of cuboidal cells sitting on the basement membrane
Fxn: constant renewal (every 15-30 days) of epidermal cells via constant mitotic division
Stratum Spinosum
-“Spiny” cells; cuboidal cells like the stratum basale
-filled with keratin filaments that are anchored into desmosomes
-desmosomes firmly bind cells of this layer together
Fxn: resist abrasion
Stratum Granulosum
-3-5 layers of squamous cells; cytoplasm filled with vesicles
-vesicles fuse w/the cell membrane and discharge contents into the intercellular spaces
-secreted material contains high conc of lipid molecules
Fxn: provides intercellular cement
creates a barrier to foreign materials (seals the skin)
Stratum Lucidum
- Most apparent in thick skin; minimal layer in thin skin
- Translucent lauer of squamous cells with no apparent organelles
- Densely packed keratin filaments anchored to desmosomes (provide strength to this layer)
- Fxn: resist abrasion
Stratum Corneum
- Outermost surface of skin
- 15-20 layers of flattened non-nucleated cells; cytoplasm filled with keratin
- Cells consist of only keratin fibers, proteins, and thick cell membranes (no organelles; lifeless cells)
- Cells of this layer are continuously shed: desquamation
- resist abrasion, create water-tight barrier
Keratinocytes
Generic term for epithelial cell in any and all layers
Melanocytes
produce melanin-dark brown pigment
found in basal layer-b/w stratum basale and spinosum
Protect DNA from UV rays * most important fxn
transferred to keratinocytes at deep layers and is deposited “on top” of cell nuceli
Highest concentration=deeper layers of skin
Lowest most superficially because granules fuse with lysosomes for digestion
Langerhans’ cells
Skin macrophages
Inner layers of epidermis-stratum basale and spinosum 2-8% of epidermal cells
provide the immune function for taking out the foreign bodies
bone marrow derived; carried to the epidermis via the blood
can bind and present antigen to lymphocytes for immune fxn against micro-organisms
Dermis
-made up of loose CT (papillary layer) and dense irregular CT (reticular layer)
-neuronal innervation (skin sensory receptors)
-Pain, temp, pressure, vibration
Blood vessels are abundant
Skin appendages to Dermis
Hair follicles, nails
sebaceous glands, sweat glands
Subcutaneous Layer
Loose CT that binds skin to underlying structures
—hypodermis and superficial fascia
Often contains numerous fat cells
Also contains neurovascular network