Integumentary System and Skin Anatomy

Vocabulary flashcards covering the components, layers, functions, and pathological conditions of the integumentary system based on the lecture notes.

Thermoregulation

The skins ability to control heat release through sweating and the distribution of blood flow.

Blood reservoir

A function of the skin where its vessels hold approximately $8$-$10\%$ of the bodys total blood volume.

Keratinocyte

An epidermal cell that produces keratin, a protein which protects underlying tissue and forms a waterproof seal.

Melanocyte

An epidermal cell responsible for producing pigment granules.

Langerhans cell

A type of epidermal cell involved in immune functions.

Merkel cell

An epidermal cell specialized for touch sensation.

Stratum corneum

The uppermost epidermal layer composed of $40$-$50$ layers of flat, dead keratinocytes.

Stratum lucidum

An epidermal layer present only in thick skin (palms and soles) consisting of $4$-$6$ layers of clear, dead keratinocytes.

Stratum granulosum

A layer of the epidermis with $3$-$5$ layers of dying keratinocytes and abundant keratohyalin granules.

Stratum spinosum

An epidermal layer containing $8$-$10$ layers of active cells bound together by keratin filament extensions.

Stratum basale

The deepest epidermal layer consisting of a single row of cuboidal keratinocytes and other specialized cells.

Papillary layer

The dermal sub-layer underlying the epidermis made of areolar connective tissue with pronounced papillae in thick skin.

Reticular layer

The deepest dermal sub-layer composed of dense irregular tissue and elastic fibers that form tension and flexure lines.

Erythema

A skin color change used as a diagnostic tool, typically indicating redness.

Pallor

A skin color diagnostic tool indicating paleness.

Cyanosis

A skin color diagnostic tool indicating a bluish tint.

Arrector pili

The muscle attached to the hair root that allows the hair to stand up.

Eponychium

A specific structure of the nail, also known as the cuticle.

Sudoriferous glands

Coiled tubular glands responsible for secreting sweat, categorized into apocrine and eccrine types.

Apocrine glands

A type of sudoriferous gland with few ducts that terminate at the hair follicle.

Eccrine glands

A common type of sudoriferous gland with many ducts that terminate directly at the skin surface.

Sebaceous glands

Glands that open into hair follicles and secrete sebum (oil) to moisten hair and waterproof the skin.

Sebum

An oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands that softens skin and inhibits bacteria.

Scars

Fibrous connective tissue that may form during the wound healing process to replace normal structure.

1st degree burn

A type of burn that only affects the epidermis.

2nd degree burn

A type of burn that affects the epidermis and most of the dermis.

3rd degree burn

A severe burn where the damage extends into the hypodermis.

ABCDE warning signs

A set of guidelines followed for the early detection and treatment of skin cancer.