Chapter 7: Skin & Membranes

Vocabulary flashcards covering epithelial and connective tissue membranes, skin structure, appendages, functions, lesions, burns, infections, and skin cancers based on Chapter 7 lecture notes.

Epithelial membranes

Membranes composed of epithelial tissue and an underlying layer of connective tissue.

Connective tissue membranes

Membranes composed exclusively of various types of connective tissue, without epithelial components.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; a primary type of epithelial membrane.

Serous membranes

Epithelial membranes composed of simple squamous epithelium on a connective tissue basement membrane that line body cavities and cover organs.

Parietal layer

The layer of a serous membrane that lines the walls of body cavities.

Visceral layer

The layer of a serous membrane that folds inward to cover the surface of organs within body cavities.

Pleura

The serous membrane that lines the thoracic cavity (parietal layer) and covers the lungs (visceral layer).

Peritoneum

The serous membrane that lines the abdomino-pelvic cavity (parietal layer) and covers the organs in that cavity (visceral layer).

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the serous membranes that line the chest cavity and cover the lungs.

Peritonitis

Inflammation of the serous membranes in the abdominal cavity that line the walls and cover the abdominal organs.

Mucous membranes

Epithelial membranes lining body surfaces that open directly to the exterior, producing a thick secretion called mucus.

Synovial fluid

A lubricant produced by connective tissue membranes found in joint spaces and bursal sacs.

Epidermis

The outermost and thinnest primary layer of the skin, composed of several layers of stratified squamous epithelium.

Stratum germinativum

The innermost (deepest) layer of epidermal cells that continually reproduce to move toward the surface; also known as the pigment layer.

Melanocytes

Pigment cells found in the stratum germinativum that produce the brown pigment melanin.

Keratin

A tough, waterproof protein that fills epidermal cells as they approach the skin surface.

Stratum corneum

The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of keratin-filled cells.

Cyanosis

A bluish-gray skin color variation caused by decreased blood oxygen levels.

Vitiligo

Patchy light skin areas resulting from an acquired loss of epidermal melanocytes.

Dermal-epidermal junction

A specialized area of contact between the epidermis and dermis that provides support for the epidermis.

Dermis

The deeper and thicker primary layer of skin, composed largely of connective tissue containing collagenous and elastic fibers.

Dermal papillae

Parallel rows of peglike projections located in the upper area of the dermis.

Striae

Elongated stretch marks caused by overstretching of the skin.

Lanugo

The soft hair of a fetus and newborn.

Hair follicle

An epidermal tubelike structure required for hair growth.

Hair papilla

The structure from which hair growth begins.

Alopecia

Hair loss.

Arrector pili

A specialized smooth muscle that contracts to produce goose pimples and pull the hair upright.

Tactile (Meissner) corpuscle

A specialized skin receptor capable of detecting light touch.

Lamellar (Pacini) corpuscle

A specialized skin receptor capable of detecting pressure.

Lunula

The crescent-shaped area of the nail body nearest the root.

Onycholysis

An abnormal variation in nail structure characterized by separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Eccrine sweat glands

The most numerous, widespread sweat glands that produce sweat to assist in body heat regulation throughout life.

Apocrine sweat glands

Sweat glands found primarily in the axilla and genitalia that secrete a thicker, milky secretion which produces odor when broken down by bacteria.

Sebaceous glands

Glands that secrete oil or sebum for the hair and skin, regulated by sex hormones.

Acne vulgaris

An inflammation of the sebaceous gland ducts.

Papule

A small, firm raised skin lesion.

Plaque

A large raised skin lesion.

Vesicle

A blister-like skin lesion.

Pustule

A pus-filled skin lesion.

Crust

A scab-like skin lesion.

Wheal (hive)

A raised, firm skin lesion with a light center.

Macule

A flat, discolored skin lesion that does not cast a shadow.

Excoriation

A depressed skin lesion characterized by missing epidermis, such as a scratch.

Ulcer

A craterlike depressed skin lesion.

Fissure

A deep crack or break in the skin.

First-degree burns

Partial-thickness burns that involve only the surface layers of the epidermis.

Second-degree burns

Partial-thickness burns that involve deep epidermal layers and upper layers of the dermis.

Third-degree burns

Full-thickness burns characterized by complete destruction of the epidermis and dermis.

Rule of nines

A system used to estimate adult body surface area by dividing the body into 11 areas of 9% each plus 1% for the genital region.

Impetigo

A highly contagious staphylococcal or streptococcal skin infection.

Tinea

A fungal infection (mycosis) of the skin.

Decubitus ulcers

Bedsores that develop when localized pressure slows down blood flow to the skin.

Urticaria

Hives; red lesions caused by fluid loss from blood vessels.

Scleroderma

A disorder of vessels and connective tissue characterized by hardening of the skin.

Psoriasis

A chronic inflammatory skin condition accompanied by scaly plaques.

Eczema

A common inflammatory condition characterized by papules, vesicles, and crusts that serves as a symptom of an underlying condition.

Squamous cell carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer, characterized by hard, raised tumors.

Basal cell carcinoma

A type of skin cancer characterized by papules with a central crater that rarely spreads.

Melanoma

The most serious type of skin cancer, involving malignancy in a nevus (mole).

Kaposi sarcoma

A type of skin cancer characterized by purple lesions, associated with AIDS and other immune deficiencies.