The skin Flashcards
What are the major functions of the skin?
The skin is the bodies largest organ
1) Physical protection
2) Sensation
3) Metabolism
4) thermoregulation
5) osmoregulation
What can be stored in the skin?
Vitamin D synthesis can occur in the epidermis.
energy is stored in adipose tissue
What are some ways that the skin decrease heat and water loss?
Hair - creates a layer of warm air
adipose tissue
shivering - allows muscle to generate heat
decreasing blood flow to the skin- vasoconstriction
What are some ways that the skin increase heat and water loss?
increasing blood flow to blood vessels(vasodilatation)
sweat
evaporation of sweat of sweat
What regulate body temperature?
How does it regulate it?
The hypothalamus regulates body temperature
It uses other organs to maintain a temp. of 37 C
What are the divisions of the skin?
epidermis(outer layer) - contains a stratified squamous epithelium
dermis (inner layer)- contains vessels, nerve, muscle, connective tissue
subcutaneous layer (innermost layer) binds to under lying organs. contains adipocytes, loose connective tissue
What are the layers that the epidermis is divided into?
It is divided into several strata.
stratum basale -(inner most layer)
stratum corneum- (outer most layer)
What is keratinization?
When the stratum basale cells are actively dividing and are pushing outer cells further toward the stratum corneum. as they are moving to the outer layer they die and fill with keratin. they can then be easily shed
What is Melanin?
produce by melaninocytes in the stratum basale, it absorb UV light protecting the skin from uv light.
What are the appendages of the skin?
hair
sebaceous glands
sweat glands
What is hair?
it is a keratinized structure produced by a cylindrical downgrowth of hair follicle. the follicle extends into the dermis.
What are nails?
flat translucent keratinized covering on the fingers and toes
