The Integumentary System Flashcards
What are the functions of the integumentary system? What are the two components of this system?
Functions: Protection, sensation, temperature regulation, vitamin D synthesis, excretion. Components: Skin and accessory structures (hair, nails, glands).
Example sentence: The integumentary system plays a crucial role in protecting the body from external threats.
Define blister vs scab vs keloid.
Blister: Fluid-filled sac due to friction/burn. Scab: Crust over a wound from dried blood. Keloid: Raised scar from overproduction of collagen.
Example sentence: The blister formed after the burn was painful but eventually healed.
What is insensible perspiration?
Continuous loss of small amounts of water through the skin, not noticeable.
How much water loss occurs?
About 500 mL per day.
Where can you expect to find keratinocytes? What do they do?
Found in the epidermis; they produce keratin for protection and water retention.
What is the stratum corneum? What is so special about it?
The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead cells. It provides a tough barrier.
Comparison: The stratum spinosum contains living cells that contribute to skin strength.
What is the epidermis? What is its role? What are some characteristics?
The outer layer of skin; protects underlying structures. Characteristics: Avascular, composed of stratified squamous epithelium.
Additional information: Epidermal ridges are projections that increase surface area for grip.
Which protein reduces water loss at the skin surface?
Keratin.
How many epidermal layers are contained in thin vs thick skin?
Thin skin: 4 layers. Thick skin: 5 layers.
What are considered accessory structures of the integumentary system?
Hair, nails, and glands (sebaceous, sweat, ceruminous).
What sensory cells are associated with the deep layers of the epidermis?
Merkel cells.
Which layer of the skin contains bundles of collagen and elastic fibers responsible for skin strength?
Dermis.
What is dermatitis? Where does it occur?
Inflammation of the skin, occurring in the epidermis and dermis.
After pinching the skin on the back of the hand, it remains peaked. This is a sign of?
Dehydration or reduced skin turgor.
What are stretch marks?
Scarring from rapid skin stretching.
What is the cutaneous vs subpapillary plexus?
Cutaneous plexus: blood vessels at the dermal-subcutaneous junction. Subpapillary plexus: vessels just beneath the dermal papillae.
What dermal sensory structures sense deep pressure?
Pacinian (lamellar) corpuscles.
What is the subcutaneous layer?
Also known as the hypodermis, it consists of loose connective tissue and fat.
What is Cyanosis?
Bluish discoloration of the skin due to inadequate oxygenation.
What is Jaundice, how is it indicated?
Yellowing of skin/eyes, indicating elevated bilirubin levels.
What is melanin? Where is it found? Who makes it?
A pigment in skin, hair, and eyes, produced by melanocytes.
What is carotene?
A yellow-orange pigment found in some vegetables, can accumulate in the skin.
Which pigment is responsible for blushing?
Hemoglobin in red blood cells.
What are the effects of ultraviolet radiation? Which vitamin is formed in the skin when it is exposed to sunlight?
Can cause skin damage and increase cancer risk. Vitamin D3 is formed.
What is Rickets?
A disease from vitamin D deficiency leading to weak bones in children.
What is the most dangerous type of skin cancer?
Melanoma.
Why is vitamin D3 so important?
Essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
What are some similarities and differences between squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Arises from squamous cells, can metastasize.
Melanoma: Arises from melanocytes, highly aggressive.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Most common, rarely
What is the most dangerous type of skin cancer?
Melanoma.
Example sentence: Melanoma has a high risk of metastasis.
Why is vitamin D3 so important?
Essential for calcium absorption and bone health.
Example sentence: Vitamin D3 deficiency can lead to weakened bones.
What are some similarities and differences between squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma?
Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Arises from squamous cells, can metastasize.
Melanoma: Arises from melanocytes, highly aggressive.
Basal Cell Carcinoma: Most common, rarely metastasizes.
Example sentence: Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin cancer.
What is the layer of hard keratin that acts as the surface of the hair?
Hair cuticle.
Example sentence: The hair cuticle protects the inner layers of the hair shaft.
What are Lanugo hairs? How are they different from vellus and terminal hairs?
Fine hair on fetuses, shed before birth. Vellus: thin hair on the body. Terminal: coarse hair on scalp/face after puberty.
Example sentence: Lanugo hairs are temporary and shed before birth.
Why is the papilla of a hair follicle important?
Contains blood vessels and nerves, supplying nutrients to growing hair.
Example sentence: The papilla plays a crucial role in hair growth.
Which muscle contractions are responsible for ‘goose bumps’?
Arrector pili muscles.
Example sentence: Goose bumps are caused by the contraction of arrector pili muscles.
What is the name of the network of sensory nerves that surrounds the base of each hair follicle?
Hair follicle receptors.
Example sentence: Hair follicle receptors help in detecting changes in the environment.
What is dandruff?
Flaking of the scalp due to excessive shedding of dead skin cells.
Example sentence: Dandruff can be caused by dry scalp or fungal infections.
What is the function of sebaceous glands vs. apocrine, merocrine, ceruminous, and exocrine glands?
Sebaceous: Produce oil (sebum).
Apocrine: Thicker sweat in specific areas.
Merocrine: Watery sweat for thermoregulation.
Ceruminous: Earwax production.
Exocrine: Secrete substances through ducts.
Example sentence: Sebaceous glands help in lubricating the skin and hair.
Where are each of the above-mentioned glands found?
Sebaceous: Associated with hair follicles.
Apocrine: In armpits/groin.
Merocrine: Distributed throughout the body.
Ceruminous: Ear canal.
Example sentence: Apocrine glands are found in areas with high hair follicle density.
Where can the highest concentration of merocrine sweat glands be found?
Palms and soles.
Example sentence: The palms and soles have a high density of merocrine sweat glands.
Where does nail production occur? What is the nail body vs. nail bed?
Nail production occurs in the nail matrix. Nail body: visible part; nail bed: underlying skin.
Example sentence: The nail matrix is responsible for nail growth.
Eponychium vs. hyponychium vs. peronychium.
Eponychium: Cuticle covering the base of the nail.
Hyponychium: Skin beneath the free edge.
Peronychium: Skin around the sides of the nail.
Example sentence: Proper nail care involves maintaining the eponychium and hyponychium.
Abrasion vs. laceration vs. puncture vs. incision vs. contusion.
Abrasion: Scrape of the skin.
Laceration: Deep cut or tear.
Puncture: Small hole from a sharp object.
Incision: Clean cut, often surgical.
Contusion: Bruise from blunt trauma.
Example sentence: Different types of wounds require specific treatments.
How do fibroblasts assist in repairing a penetrating wound in the dermis?
They produce collagen and extracellular matrix to help heal the wound.
Example sentence: Fibroblasts play a key role in tissue repair and wound healing.
Which type of burn may require a skin graft?
Third-degree burns.
Example sentence: Third-degree burns can cause extensive damage to the skin.
How can skin still regenerate effectively after considerable damage?
Stem cells in the epidermis and dermis facilitate regeneration after injury.
Example sentence: Skin regeneration is a natural process that helps in healing wounds.
What is scar tissue vs. granulation tissue?
Scar Tissue: Dense fibrous tissue replacing normal tissue after healing.
Granulation Tissue: New connective tissue and tiny blood vessels forming during healing.
Example sentence: Scar tissue can be a result of improper wound healing.
Which bacterial infection is often fatal?
Example answer: Necrotizing fasciitis.
Example sentence: Necrotizing fasciitis is a severe bacterial infection that can be life-threatening.
