IMED1001

What is the primary focus of the integumentary system?

The integumentary system encompasses skin and its appendages, including sweat glands, sebaceous glands, hair follicles, and nails.

What are the five major layers of the epidermis?

Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), stratum corneum.

What unique feature does thick skin have compared to thin skin?

Thick skin has a stratum lucidum and lacks hair follicles.

How many layers does the dermis have, and what are they called?

The dermis has two layers: the papillary layer and the reticular layer.

What types of glands are part of skin appendages?

Hair, hair follicles, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

Name three pigments that contribute to skin color.

Melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin.

What are the seven functions of the skin?

Absorption, protection, sense organ, thermoregulation, communication, vitamin production, and excretion.

What is exocytosis in the context of cells?

The process for moving large molecules out of the cell to the cell exterior.

What is a key characteristic of the stratum corneum layer?

It is the most superficial layer, composed of 20-30 layers of dead, anucleate cells filled with keratin.

What major layer rests beneath the dermis?

The hypodermis.

What is keratinization?

The process by which cells in the epidermis become filled with keratin and die, forming a protective outer layer.

How does the integumentary system contribute to thermoregulation?

By sweating and regulating blood vessel dilation and constriction.

What is the significance of sweat glands in the skin?

They play a role in thermoregulation and waste excretion.

How does UV exposure affect melanin production?

Production of melanin increases with sun exposure to protect DNA in the nuclei of keratinocytes.

What types of sensory receptors are found in the skin?

Cutaneous sensory receptors that detect temperature, touch, and pain.

What are the characteristics of the hypodermis?

It's composed of subcutaneous connective tissue, usually fatty, and anchors skin to underlying structures.

What does apocrine sweat produce that can lead to body odor?

Sweat with fat content that contributes to odor upon bacterial activity.

The _____ is the outermost layer of the skin.

epidermis.

The primary function of _____ is to provide insulation and store energy in the skin.

adipose tissue.

_____ are specialized cells that produce melanin.

Melanocytes.

The process of shedding dead skin cells from the stratum corneum is known as _____.

desquamation.

The _____ layer of the dermis is thin and contains blood vessels and nerves.

papillary.

Sebaceous glands secrete _____ to keep the skin moist.

sebum.

The _____ is the thickest layer of the skin, providing strength and elasticity.

dermis.

____ is the primary pigment responsible for the color of human skin.

Melanin.