Topic 9: Integumentary System Flashcards
What does the system consist of?
consists of: o skin o hair, nails, glands o sense receptors (nervous) o muscles
List the layers of the skin
2 layers
- epidermis
- dermis
epidermis
upper layer
dermis
lower layer
hypodermis
below skin
Is the hypodermis part of the skin?
NO
below the skin
List the characteristics of the Epidermis
stratified squamous epithelium (from ectoderm)
avascular
separated into 4-5 strata (sub-layers) based on cell types:
List the sub- layers of the epidermis:
o Stratum Basale o Stratum Spinosum o Stratum Granulosum o Stratum Lucidum o Stratum corneum
Stratum Basale
single row of cells
2 cell types
i. keratinocytes (90%)
ii. melanocytes (10%)
keratinocytes
undergo mitosis
make keratin (tough protein)
migrate to surface as new cells produced in basale
melanocytes
10%)
produce pigment (melanin) for UV light protection
o e.g. sunburns, wrinkles (collagen damage),
cancer (DNA damage)
skin colour
o we all have the same relative number of
melanocytes, but cells produce different
amounts/shades of melanin
albinos
no melanin
blood (hemoglobin
in dermis can give a
pinkish tinge to fair skinned people
Stratum Spinosum
limited cell division
Stratum Granulosum
contains dark staining granules
Stratum Lucidum
flat, dead cells (too far from blood supply)
visible ONLY in thick skin
Stratum corneum
20 - 30 layers of flat dead cells filled with keratin (tough protein),
surrounded by waterproofing glycolipid (prevents water loss)
shed and replaced from below
Describe the characteristics of the dermis
contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, hair follicles
2 sub-layers (CT – from mesoderm):
o Papillary Layer
o Reticular Layer
Papillary Layer
(beneath epidermis)
areolar CT
vascular
has projection into epidermis = dermal papillae
o in thick skin these form epidermal ridges = fingerprints
(improve grip
Reticular Layer
most of dermis
dense irregular CT
dermal papillae
has projection into epidermis
Describe the Hypodermis
(NOT part of skin)
subcutaneous layer; under
superficial fascia; not deep so above
adipose CT below skin
o stores 1⁄2 of body’s adipose tissue (insulation