Chapter 6: The Integumentary System - Vocabulary Flashcards

These vocabulary flashcards cover the major terms and concepts related to the structure, function, repair, aging effects, and common disorders of the integumentary system as presented in the provided notes.

Skin

The largest organ of the body; protects internal tissues and organs; composed of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer with accessory structures (glands, hair, nails).

Epidermis

The outer, avascular, keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of the skin.

Stratum basale

Deepest epidermal layer where mitosis occurs to form new keratinocytes.

Stratum corneum

Outermost epidermal layer of dead, keratin-filled cells that provides a protective barrier.

Keratin

Fibrous protein that makes skin and hair tough and waterproof.

Melanin

Pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin color and provides UV protection.

Dermis

Thick, strong connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis; contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Dermal papillae

Projections of the dermis that extend toward the epidermis, increasing surface area and forming fingerprints.

Areolar connective tissue

Loose connective tissue in the dermal papillary layer that supports the epidermis.

Adipose tissue

Fat tissue in the subcutaneous layer that insulates, cushions, and stores energy.

Subcutaneous layer (hypodermis)

Layer beneath the skin composed of areolar and adipose tissue; anchors skin to underlying structures.

Vernix caseosa

Waxy, whitish coating seen on newborns protecting the fetus's skin.

Sebaceous glands

Oil glands that secrete sebum to lubricate skin and hair.

Secrete sebum

Oily secretion from sebaceous glands (holocrine) that moisturizes skin and hair.

Meibomian glands

Sebaceous glands near the eyelashes that contribute to the tear film.

Ceruminous glands

Glands in the ear canal that produce earwax (cerumen).

Ciliary glands

Glands in the eyelids that provide lubrication around the eye.

Sweat glands (sudoriferous)

Glands that produce sweat; helps regulate temperature and excrete small amounts of wastes.

Eccrine glands

Sweat glands distributed widely; secrete directly onto the skin surface; main role in thermoregulation.

Apocrine glands

Modified sweat glands located mainly in the armpits and groin; release sweat into hair follicles and respond to emotional stress.

Mammary glands

Glands in the breast that produce milk.

Hair

Keratinized filament that grows from a hair follicle; consists of a shaft (above skin) and root (within follicle).

Hair follicle

Sac in the dermis from which hair grows; houses the hair root.

Shaft

Portion of hair that extends above the skin surface.

Root

Portion of hair located within the follicle.

Arrector pili muscle

Smooth muscle that raises hairs (goosebumps) in response to cold or fear.

Nails

Keratinized plates at the tips of fingers and toes that protect and aid in manipulation.

Nail root

Germinal portion of the nail under the skin that produces new nail cells.

Nail plate

Visible, hard, keratinized nail body.

Lunula

Whitish crescent area at the base of the nail indicating new nail growth.

Cuticle

Fold of skin (eponychium) at the base of the nail that protects the nail matrix.

Mammary glands (revisited)

Specialized sweat glands in the breast that produce milk after pregnancy.

Absorption

Uptake of substances through the skin (limited in the epidermis).

Excretion

Elimination of waste products through sweat and related secretions.

Vitamin D synthesis

Skin converts sunlight into vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption and bone health.

Protection against dehydration

Water-retaining barrier of the skin that minimizes water loss.

Barrier to invasion of pathogens

Physical and chemical barrier preventing entry of microbes.

Exfoliation

Shedding of outer skin cells to remove pathogens and debris.

Vasodilation

Widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow and promote heat loss.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow and conserve heat.

Radiation of heat from surface

Loss of body heat from the skin to the surrounding environment.

Evaporation of sweat

Cooling mechanism from sweat evaporating off the skin.

Nerve endings for pain, temperature

Sensory nerves in the skin that detect pain and temperature changes.

Sensory receptors for touch and pressure

Receptors (e.g., Merkel, Meissner, Pacinian) that detect touch and pressure.

Hemoglobin

Oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells; contributes to skin color (red/pink tint when well-oxygenated).

Carotene

Yellow-orange pigment from diet and skin storage, contributing to skin tone.

Bile pigments

Pigments (e.g., bilirubin) from liver; can tint skin yellow in jaundice.

Inflammation

Immediate wound-healing response with redness, heat, swelling, and pain.

Blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)

Growth of new blood vessels to supply healing tissue.

Fibroblasts produce collagen

Fibroblasts synthesize collagen to form scar tissue during healing.

Stem cells activated

Stem cells participate in tissue regeneration during repair.

Scar formation

Replacement of damaged tissue with fibrous tissue, restoring integrity but not original structure.

Keloids

Excessive scar tissue that extends beyond the wound margins.

Wound care

Care practices to promote healing: cleansing, infection control, and moisture balance.

Cleansing

Cleaning the wound to remove contaminants and debris.

Moisture balance

Maintaining appropriate moisture levels to support healing.

Nutrition

Adequate nutrients support tissue repair and immune function.

Blood supply (in healing)

Adequate blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients necessary for repair.

Infection

Presence of pathogenic microbes that can delay healing.

Age

A factor that can slow healing due to reduced cell activity and circulation.

Loss of elastic fibers, fat, and collagen

Common aging changes leading to weaker skin structure and sagging.

Irregular pigmentation

Uneven skin color due to pigment changes with aging or disease.

Thinning of hair

Reduction in hair density with age or health conditions.

Loss of sweat glands

Decreased sweating with age, affecting thermoregulation.

Alopecia

Loss of hair; baldness.

Acne (overactivity of sebaceous glands)

Condition caused by excessive sebum production often with blocked follicles.

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common skin cancer; develops from basal cells; usually slow-growing.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Skin cancer arising from squamous cells; can be more invasive than basal cell.

Melanoma

Aggressive skin cancer arising from melanocytes; high risk of metastasis.

Impetigo

Bacterial skin infection causing crusted lesions; common in children.

Herpes simplex

Viral infection causing cold sores or genital lesions; recurrent.

Herpes zoster (shingles)

Reactivation of varicella-zoster virus causing painful vesicular rash.

Warts

Viral skin growths caused by HPV.

Pemphigus

Autoimmune blistering disorder causing fragile skin blisters.

Lupus erythematosus

Autoimmune disease with skin rash and systemic involvement.

Systemic sclerosis

Autoimmune disease causing skin thickening and internal organ involvement.

Psoriasis

Chronic autoimmune skin disease with scaly, inflamed plaques.

Alopecia

Loss of hair from the scalp or body.