The Integumentary System

These flashcards cover key concepts and vocabulary from the integumentary system chapter, focusing on skin structure, functions, and related pathology.

Integumentary System

The system consisting of skin, sweat glands, oil glands, hair, nails, and subcutaneous tissue.

Epidermis

The outermost protective layer of skin, composed of epithelial tissue and is avascular.

Dermis

The inner layer of skin located beneath the epidermis, primarily made up of dense connective tissue and vascular.

Mitosis

The process of cell division involved in producing new skin cells in the stratum basale.

Melanocytes

Spider-shaped cells within the epidermis that produce melanin, protecting against UV damage.

Keratinocytes

The major cell type in the epidermis that produces keratin, aiding skin's protective properties.

Stratum Corneum

The most superficial layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, keratinized cells.

Sebaceous Glands

Oil glands associated mainly with hair follicles that secrete sebum, lubricating the skin.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands that are abundant in palms, soles, and forehead, primarily involved in thermoregulation.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Sweat glands located in axillary and anogenital areas, associated with scent and not active until puberty.

Melanin

The pigment produced by melanocytes that gives skin its color and protects DNA from UV radiation.

Aging Skin

Skin experiences a slowdown in replacement, becoming thinner and drier with increased susceptibility to UV damage.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

The least malignant and most common skin cancer type, originating in the stratum basale.

Stratum Granulosum

A layer of the epidermis where keratinization begins and cells flatten.

Stratum Spinosum

The layer of the epidermis where keratinocytes are connected by desmosomes, giving them a spiky appearance.

Thermoregulation

The process of maintaining an optimal body temperature, primarily regulated by sweat glands.

Friction Ridges

Unique patterns formed by dermal papillae that enhance grip and contribute to fingerprints.

Striae

Silvery-white scars caused by extreme stretching of the dermis, commonly known as stretch marks.

Telogen Effluvium

A condition of sudden hair thinning due to many hair follicles entering the resting phase simultaneously.

Keratinization

The process by which keratinocytes fill with keratin and die as they migrate toward the surface of the skin.