CCMA training notes: The Integumentary System Review

What are the basic building blocks of life, capable of carrying out essential life processes?

Cells.

What is the cell membrane?

The outer boundary of a cell that regulates the passage of substances into and out of the cell.

What is cytoplasm?

The jelly-like substance filling a cell, containing organelles.

What are the 3 main components of a typical animal cell?

1) Cell membrane

2) Cytoplasm

3) Nucleus

What is the primary function of the nucleus within a cell?

Houses the cell's genetic material (DNA) and controls cellular functions like growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

What organelle is known as the "powerhouse of the cell"?

The mitochondria, responsible for converting nutrients into ATP (energy) through cellular respiration.

What is the function of ribosomes in a cell?

Cellular organelles responsible for protein synthesis by assembling amino acids based on mRNA instructions.

What are the 2 types of Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and their primary roles?

1. Rough ER (RER) synthesizes, folds, + transports proteins.

2. Smooth ER (SER) synthesizes lipids, detoxifies, + stores calcium ions.

What is the function of the Golgi apparatus (or Golgi complex) in a cell?

Modifies, sorts, and packages proteins + lipids from the ER for secretion or delivery to other organelles.

What are lysosomes and what is their role in the cell?

Membrane-bound organelles containing digestive enzymes that break down waste, cellular debris, and foreign material.

What are the 6 levels of structural organization in the human body, from simplest to most complex?

1. Chemical

2. Cellular

3. Tissue

4. Organ

5. Organ System

6. Organismal

What are the 4 groups of similar cells that work together to perform and what special function do they form?

1. epithelial

2. connective

3. muscle

4. nervous

They form tissues

What are the key characteristics and functions of epithelial tissue?

• Covers surfaces, lines organs, and forms glands.

• It provides protection, secretion, absorption, + excretion, forming a barrier.

What are the 6 diverse functions of connective tissue?

1. Provides support

2. Protects organs

3. Binds tissues together

4. Stores fat

5. Produces blood cells

6. Transports substances

What is adipose tissue and what are its main functions?

• Is a connective tissue specialized for storing fat.

• It functions in energy storage, insulation, + organ cushioning.

What are the 5 main functions of bone tissue?

1. Provides structural support

2. Protection

3. Enables movement

4. Stores minerals (calcium, phosphate)

5. Houses bone marrow for blood cell production.

Name the 3 types of muscle tissue and their primary functions?

1. Skeletal muscle (voluntary movement)

2. Cardiac muscle (involuntary heart pumping)

3. Smooth muscle (involuntary internal organ movements).

What are structures composed of 2 or more different types of tissues that work together to perform a specific function?

• Organs

• Examples include the heart, lungs, brain, and skin.

What do groups of organs that work together to perform major functions create?

• Organ systems.

• For example, the digestive system processes food and absorbs nutrients.

What 5 crucial roles do organ systems collectively perform in the body?

1. Maintaining homeostasis

2. Responding to stimuli

3. Growth

4. Reproduction

5. Nutrient processing

What are the 3 primary layers of the skin, from superficial to deep?

1. The epidermis

2. The dermis

3. The subcutaneous layer (hypodermis).

Which layer is the outermost protective covering of the skin and is a stratified squamous epithelium forming a barrier against mechanical stress, pathogens, UV radiation, + water loss? 

The epidermis.

What are keratinocytes?

The primary cell type in the epidermis that produces keratin for protection + structure.

What are the 4 primary cell types found within the epidermis?

1. Keratinocytes

2. Melanocytes

3. Langerhans cells

4. Merkel cells.

What is the critical role of keratin, a tough, fibrous protein, in the skin?

Providing structural integrity and waterproofing to skin, hair, and nails, forming a durable protective barrier.

What are the 5 distinct layers (strata) of the epidermis, from superficial to deep?

1. Stratum Corneum

2. Stratum Lucidum (in thick skin)

3. Stratum Granulosum

4. Stratum Spinosum

5. Stratum Basale.

What is the stratum basale of the epidermis and what does it do?

• The deepest epidermal layer, consisting of actively dividing Keratinocytes (stem cells), Melanocytes, and Merkel cells. 

• Constantly replenishes superficial layers.

What 6 key components and structures are found within the dermis layer of the skin?

1. Dense connective tissue (collagen, elastin)

2. Blood vessels

3. Nerve endings

4. Hair follicles

5. Sebaceous glands

6. Sudoriferous glands.

What does the subcutaneous layer primarily consist of, and what are its 4 functions?

• Fat (adipose tissue) + loose connective tissue.

• Its functions include                                                             1. insulation 2. energy storage 3. shock absorption           4. anchoring the skin.

What are the 7 diverse functions of the integumentary system (skin)?

1. Waterproofing

2. Protection

3. Sensing touch/temperature/pain

4. Synthesizing vitamin D

5. Regulating body temperature

6. Secreting oil

7. Excretion.

What are the 2 main types of sudoriferous (sweat) glands in the skin, and what are their functions?

1. Eccrine glands (widespread, watery sweat for cooling)

2. Apocrine glands (axillae/groin, viscous sweat contributing to body odor).

What is a hair follicle and its 3 primary functions?

A tunnel-like structure in the skin anchoring hair

1. Producing the hair shaft

2. Housing sebaceous glands

3. Arrector pili muscles.

What is the nail plate and how does it grow?

• Is the visible, hard, translucent part of the nail, composed of dead keratinized cells.

• It grows continuously from the nail matrix at the base.

What pigment is produced by melanocytes, primarily responsible for skin, hair, + eye color, and what does it act as?

• Melanin

• It acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting DNA from UV radiation.

What are melanocytes?

Cells located in the epidermis that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye color.

What medical condition is characterized by areas of skin developing dark, velvety, wart-like patches and why do they often appear in body folds?

• Acanthosis nigricans.

• Often appear due to insulin resistance, diabetes, or hormonal disorders.

What is acne vulgaris, and how is it characterized?

• A chronic inflammatory skin disease of pilosebaceous units.

• Characterized by comedones, papules, pustules, nodules, + cysts due to sebum overproduction, clogged pores, + bacterial overgrowth.

What is seborrhea?

Condition caused by the overactivity of sebaceous glands, leading to excessive sebum production and oily skin/hair.

What is onychia and what is it often caused by?

• An inflammation of the nail matrix or nail bed.

• Often caused by infection, trauma, or irritation.

What is onychomycosis and what does it cause?

• A common fungal infection of the nail plate/bed.

• Causing thickened, discolored, brittle, + deformed nails.

What is hirsutism characterized by, particularly in women?

Excessive body and facial hair growth in women in a male-like pattern, often due to increased androgen levels (e.g., in PCOS).

What are petechiae and what is it caused by?

• Tiny, pinpoint red or purple spots (< $2$ mm) on skin/mucous membranes.

• Caused by small hemorrhages from broken capillaries, which do not blanch.

What is dermatitis, in a general sense?

Inflammation of the skin, characterized by redness, itching, swelling, and sometimes blistering or scaling.

What is contact dermatitis?

An inflammatory skin reaction from direct contact with an irritant or allergen, manifesting as an itchy, red rash, and sometimes swelling/blistering.

What type of wound is a pressure sore (decubitus ulcer), and what does it cause?

• An open, ulcerated wound from prolonged pressure on skin and tissues. 

• Compromising blood flow + leads to tissue death.

What is psoriasis and what does it cause?

• A chronic, autoimmune inflammatory skin disorder.

• Causing rapid overproduction of skin cells, leading to thick, red plaques covered with silvery scales.

What is vitiligo, and what is its underlying cause?

• A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the destruction of melanocytes, leading to irregular depigmented (white) skin patches.

• Cause is unknown, but involves genetic/autoimmune factors.

What is atopic dermatitis (eczema) and what is it often associated with?

• A chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by dry, intensely itchy, inflamed patches of skin (red, scaly, sometimes oozing)

• Often associated with allergies and asthma.

What is impetigo and how does it typically present?

• Impetigo is a highly contagious superficial bacterial skin infection (Staphylococcus/Streptococcus). 

• It presents as red sores that rupture, ooze, and form characteristic honey-colored crusts, common around the nose/mouth in children.

What is urticaria (hives) and how does it typically manifest?

• An allergic skin reaction characterized by itchy, red, raised welts or wheals that blanch when pressed and often appear/disappear rapidly, triggered by histamine release.

What is a vesicle as a skin lesion?

• A circumscribed, elevated lesion less than $0.5$ or $1.0$ cm in diameter, containing clear fluid (e.g., in herpes simplex).

What is a bulla as a skin lesion?

• A circumscribed, elevated lesion greater than $0.5$ or $1.0$ cm in diameter, containing clear fluid (e.g., in severe burns).

What is a fissure in dermatology?

•  A linear crack or break in the skin that extends into the dermis, often occurring in dry, inelastic skin areas and can be painful.

What is basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and what does it appear as?

• The most common type of skin cancer, originating from epidermal basal cells that rarely metastasizes.

• Appears as a pearly or waxy bump with visible blood vessels, typically on sun-exposed areas.

What is Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC), and what are its characteristics?

• The 2nd most common skin cancer, arising from epidermal keratinocytes is locally aggressive with a higher metastasis risk than BCC.

• Presents as a firm, red nodule, scaly patch, or open sore that may bleed/crust. 

What is melanoma, and why is it considered the most dangerous form of skin cancer?

• The most aggressive and life-threatening skin cancer, arising from melanocytes.

• Dangerous due to its high propensity to metastasize if not detected/treated early and often follows the 'ABCDE' rule.