Skin and Body Membranes

45 vocabulary flashcards covering major terms and concepts from the lecture slides on skin and body membranes.

Cutaneous membrane

The skin; a dry, outer protective boundary composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium over dense connective tissue

Mucous membrane

Epithelial membrane lining body cavities that open to the exterior; often adapted for absorption or secretion and underlain by the lamina propria

Serous membrane

Simple squamous epithelium with areolar connective tissue lining closed ventral body cavities and separated by serous fluid

Peritoneum, Pleura, and Pericardium

Specific serous membranes

Peritoneum

Serous membrane lining the abdominal cavity

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs

Pericardium

Serous membrane enclosing the heart

Synovial membrane

Connective-tissue membrane lining fibrous capsules around joints

Integumentary system

The skin and its derivatives—sweat glands, oil glands, hairs, and nails

Mechanical damage, Chemical damage, Bacterial damage, Thermal damage, Ultraviolet radiation, and Desiccation

Protects deeper tissues from:

Skin Functions

-Aids in heat regulation

-Aids in excretion of urea and uric acid

-Synthesizes vitamin D

Stratum corneum, lucidum, granulosum, spinosum, and stratum basale

Epidermis Parts

Keratin

Tough, water-resistant protein that hardens epidermal cells

Epidermis

Outer skin layer of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

Dermis

Deep skin layer of dense connective tissue containing vessels, glands, and nerve receptors

Hypodermis (subcutaneous layer)

Adipose-rich layer beneath dermis that anchors skin to underlying organs

Stratum basale

Deepest epidermal layer where mitosis occurs; lies next to dermis

Stratum spinosum

Layer above basale with spiny-appearing keratinocytes

Stratum granulosum

Epidermal layer where keratinization begins; cells contain granules

Stratum lucidum

Clear epidermal layer present only in thick skin (palms, soles)

Stratum corneum

Outermost epidermal layer of shingle-like dead, fully keratinized cells

Melanocyte

Pigment-producing cell located mainly in the stratum basale

Melanin

Yellow-to-black pigment that protects DNA from UV radiation

Carotene

Orange-yellow pigment from some vegetables

Hemoglobin

Red coloring from blood cells in dermis capillaries. Oxygen content determines the extent of red coloring

Dermal papillae

Projections of papillary layer containing capillary loops and pain receptors; form fingerprints

Sebaceous gland

Oil-producing skin gland usually emptying into hair follicles

Sebum

Oily mixture that lubricates skin and hair and inhibits bacteria

Sudoriferous gland

Sweat-producing gland widely distributed in the skin

Eccrine gland

Most common sweat gland; ducts open directly onto skin surface for thermoregulation

Apocrine gland

Sweat gland whose ducts empty into hair follicles; secretes water, fatty acids, and proteins

Hair follicle

Dermal-epidermal sheath surrounding the hair root

Arrector pili

Smooth muscle that contracts to raise hair, causing “goosebumps”

Nail

Heavily keratinized scale-like modification of epidermis covering distal digits

Eponychium

Proximal nail fold (cuticle) projecting onto the nail body

Athlete’s foot

Fungal infection causing itchy, peeling skin between toes

Boils and carbuncles

Bacterial infections of hair follicles and sebaceous glands

Cold sores

Viral lesions (HSV) that appear around lips and oral mucosa

Contact dermatitis

Inflammatory skin reaction caused by allergen exposure

Impetigo

Highly contagious bacterial skin infection producing pustules and crusts

benign and malignant

two types of skin cancer

Benign

Skin cancer that does not spread (encapsulated)

malignant

skin cancer that is metastasized (moves) to other body parts

Psoriasis

Chronic, autoimmune-linked skin disorder marked by red, scaly lesions

Burn

Tissue damage caused by heat, electricity, UV, or chemicals

Rule of nines

Quick method dividing body into 11 areas, each ~9%, to estimate burn extent

First-degree burn

Injury to epidermis only; redness, mild pain, heals within a week

Second-degree burn

Damage to epidermis and upper dermis; blisters, severe pain, ~3-week healing

Third-degree burn

Full-thickness burn destroying entire skin layers; skin may appear white or charred, painless at site

Critical burn

Burn meeting criteria: >25% body with second-degree, >10% with third-degree, or third-degree on face, hands, feet

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common, least malignant skin cancer arising from stratum basale

Squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer from stratum spinosum; can metastasize to lymph nodes if untreated

Malignant melanoma

Cancer of melanocytes; most deadly form, spreads rapidly

ABCD rule

Guideline for melanoma detection: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6 mm