The Integumentary System Flashcards
Epidermis
The top layer of skin, the shallowest layer
Dermis
The middle section of skin, the layer right under the epidermis
Hypodermis/ Subcutaneous layer
The deepest layer of skin connects the skin to the underlying muscle and organs
Stratum lucidum
2-3 layers of clear, flat dead cellls. This layer in the skin is only found in the palms, soles and lips (places that have more friction).
Living keratinocyte
Found within the hypodermis
Epidermal dendritic (langerhans) cell
Specialized antigen cells that are found in the stratum basale. Named for their long arm (dendrites) plentiful in the skin and mucous membrane
Tactile (Merkel) cell
Light touch response, found in the dermis
Melanocytes
Found in the stratum basale, creates the skin pigment
Stratum spinosum
Several layers of cells that have numerous spine like projections. Limited amount of mitotic activity, this layer and the stratum basale are both referred to as the stratum germinativum
Stratum granulosum
3-5 layers of flattened cells containing dark staining granules. Keratinization begins in this layer
Stratum corneum
20-30 layers of flattened, dead, scale like cells (cornified/keratinized cells). These dead cells are the very top layer of skin.
Callus
Stimulation of the stratum basale cells
Thick epidermis
Found in palms and soles. No hair follicles or sebaceous (oil) glands. Has 5 layers
Thin epidermis
Covers most of the body, has hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands. Has 4 layers
Skin color
The combination of melanin in the epidermis and hemoglobin in the dermal blood vessels. Carotene is the weakest contributor
Melanin
Believed to help protect DNA of epidermal cells from damage by harmful UV light
Hemoglobin
The iron containing pigment found inside red blood cells
Albinism
A condition that causes lack of brown pigment melanin in the skin, hair and eyes
Vitiligo
Multiples well democarted areas of hypopigmentation which progressively enlarge. Associated with autoimmune disorders, in about 1/3 of cases there’s family history
Cyanosis (blueness)
Sign of poor oxygenation of the blood
Acrocyanosis
Blueness in extremities (fingers and toes) caused by poor oxygenation of hemoglobin (formation of deoxyhemoglobin, has a bluish tint)
Pallor
Paleness, indication of a lack of hemoglobin, a lack of red blood cells or both
Jaundice
Yellow color, caused by excess bilirubin
Postmortem lividity/ Liver mortis
Pooling of the blood after death, causes a bruise like coloring in the skin
Epidermal friction ridges
Fingerprints, caused by underlying dermal papillae
Dermal papillae
The boundary between the epidermis and dermis. Extend into the epidermis
Nerve fiber
Send into from sensory neurons to the central nervous system
Blood vessel
Channels that carry blood throughout your body
Striae/ Lineae albicantes
Stretch marks
Vasoconstriction
The constriction of dermal blood vessels constrict to reduce the loss of heat to the outer environment. Causes the skin to whiten, happens on very cold days (heat conservation)
Vasodilation
The dilation of dermal blood vessels to allow the elimination of heat to the outer environment. Occurs when the body is hot and may cause the skin to redden (heat loss across epidermis)
Decubitus ulcers
Bed sores, occurs when there’s continuous pressure on a body part or region
