Chapter 4 - Integumentary System Study Guide

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the word elements, anatomy, receptors, functions, burn degrees, disorders, and treatments of the integumentary system.

Adip/o

Fat

Cutane/o

Skin

Onych/o

Nail

Pil/o

Hair

Sudor/o

Sweat

Albin/o

White

Cyan/o

Blue

Erythr/o

Red

Myc/o

Fungus

Melan/o

Black

-cyte

Cell

Ichthy/o

Dry, scaly, or fish-like

Kerat/o

Dry, hard

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin that acts as a waterproof shield protecting the body from germs, dirt, and sun damage, and creates skin tone.

Dermis

Connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, and sebaceous glands; provides strength, elasticity, and sensory function.

Hypodermis

Deep subcutaneous adipose (fat) tissue layer that insulates the body, cushions underlying structures, and stores energy reserves.

Arrector pili muscles

Tiny smooth muscles attached to hair follicles that contract to pull hair upright, causing goosebumps that help trap warm air in cold conditions.

Sebaceous gland

An oil gland that secretes sebum into the hair follicle to lubricate and waterproof hair and skin and help prevent drying.

Sudoriferous gland

A sweat gland that secretes sweat to cool the body; includes eccrine glands located across most of the body and apocrine glands located in areas like the armpits and groin.

Hair follicle

A tube-like pocket in the dermis and epidermis from which hair grows; contains the hair root and is supplied with blood and nerves.

Mechanoreceptor

A receptor that responds to mechanical stimuli such as touch, pressure, vibration, and stretch.

Nociceptor

A receptor that responds to potentially damaging stimuli and produces the sensation of pain.

Thermoreceptor

A receptor that responds to changes in temperature, detecting warmth and cold.

Proprioceptor

A receptor located in muscles, tendons, and joints that senses body position and movement.

Keratin

A tough, fibrous structural protein making up the outer layer of the skin, hair, and nails that makes these tissues hard, durable, and water-resistant.

Melanocytes

Cells in the basal layer of the epidermis that produce melanin and transfer it to nearby keratinocytes to shield the nucleus from UV damage.

Melanin

A brown-black pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin color.

First-degree burn

A burn affecting only the epidermis without damaging hair follicles and glands; characterized by red, dry, painful, mildly swollen skin with no blisters that heals in a few days.

Second-degree burn

A burn affecting the epidermis and part of the dermis, where hair follicles and sweat glands may be partially damaged; characterized by red, blistered, very painful, swollen, and moist skin that heals in a few weeks.

Third-degree burn

A burn that destroys the entire epidermis, dermis, and sometimes extends into the hypodermis, destroying all structures; characterized by white, leathery, charred, or dark skin that is often painless due to destroyed nerve endings and may require skin grafting.

Skin cancer

A malignant growth of skin cells usually caused by damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, most commonly arising from keratinocytes or melanocytes.

Contact dermatitis

Inflammation caused by contact with an irritant or allergen (such as poison ivy or nickel), presenting with redness, itching, a rash, and sometimes blisters.

Scabies

A skin infestation by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, which burrows into the skin and lays eggs, causing intense itching (especially at night) and a rash with thin burrow tracks.

Shingles

Reactivation of the dormant varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox virus) in nerve tissue, causing a painful blistering rash along one side of the body following a nerve pathway.

Vitiligo

An autoimmune disorder in which melanocytes are destroyed, causing white patches of skin.

Alopecia

Partial or complete hair loss caused by genetics, autoimmune reactions, hormones, or other factors.

Hyperhidrosis

Excessive sweating beyond what the body needs for temperature control, caused by overactive sweat glands or other conditions.

Psoriasis

A chronic autoimmune disorder in which skin cells turn over too quickly, leading to thick, red, scaly plaques with silvery scales.

Basal cell carcinoma

The most common type of skin cancer arising from basal cells in the epidermis; typically grows slowly, appears as a pearly or waxy bump, rarely spreads, and is usually caused by sun exposure.

Melanoma

A malignant tumor of melanocytes and the most dangerous skin cancer due to its ability to spread quickly; signs include asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation, diameter over $6\,mm$, and an evolving appearance.

Biopsy

The removal of a small tissue sample for examination under a microscope, used to diagnose conditions such as cancer.

Cryotherapy

The use of extreme cold, typically liquid nitrogen, to destroy abnormal or unwanted tissue, such as warts or precancerous lesions.

Debridement

The surgical or medical removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue and foreign material from a wound to promote healing and prevent infection.

Dermatologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin, hair, and nails.

Antipruritic

A medication that relieves itching (pruritus), such as diphenhydramine or topical hydrocortisone.

Scabicide

A medication that kills scabies mites and their eggs, such as permethrin cream or lindane.