The Integumentary System

These flashcards cover key concepts regarding the integumentary system, including its structure, function, and components.

What are the main components of the integumentary system?

Skin, hair, nails, sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, and sensory receptors.

What are the three layers of the skin?

Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis.

What are the main components of the integumentary system?

Skin, hair, nails, sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, and sensory receptors.

What are the three layers of the skin?

Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis.

What is keratinized stratified squamous epithelium?

A type of tissue that has multiple layers of cells that are flat and contain keratin.

What is the function of melanin?

To shield the nucleus from damage by ultraviolet radiation.

How many layers of epidermis are there?

Five layers: Stratum Basale, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Lucidum, and Stratum Corneum.

What happens in the stratum corneum?

The outer layer consists of dead, flat, keratinized cells that protect underlying layers.

What is a characteristic of the stratum basale?

It is the deepest layer and contains keratinocyte stem cells, melanocytes, and tactile cells.

What body parts have thick skin?

Palms of hands and soles of feet.

What causes fingerprints?

Friction ridges formed by large folds and valleys of dermis and epidermis.

What happens during keratinization?

Keratin accumulates, and cells begin to die and lose their organelles.

What type of connective tissue is found in the papillary layer?

Areolar connective tissue.

What type of connective tissue is found in the reticular layer?

Dense irregular connective tissue.

What are cleavage lines?

Bundles of collagen and elastic fibers oriented in parallel that resist stress during movement.

What is the process by which skin develops a tan?

Increased melanin production in response to UV exposure.

What maintains skin color aside from melanin?

Carotene and hemoglobin.

What is the role of tactile (Meissner's) corpuscles?

To detect light touch.

What is the consequence of a drug that inhibits cell division on the epidermis?

It would affect the stratum basale since it contains the only dividing cells.

What causes wounds and blisters in the skin?

Separation of the dermis and epidermis by a fluid-filled pocket.

What is the principal function of the hypodermis?

Protection, energy storage, and insulation.