Integumentary System Overview

10 question-and-answer flashcards summarizing key points about the integumentary system from the lecture notes.

What are the three primary functions of the integumentary system?

Maintains a constant body temperature, protects the body, and provides sensory information about the environment.

Why is the skin considered vulnerable even though it has protective features?

Its external location exposes it to potential damage from trauma, sunlight, microbes, and environmental pollutants.

How can skin color indicate homeostatic imbalance, and what is an example?

Changes in skin color can signal internal issues; for instance, a bluish hue (cyanosis) often accompanies hypoxia.

What structures comprise the integumentary system?

The skin, hair, oil (sebaceous) glands, and sweat (sudoriferous) glands.

What are the two principal layers of the skin?

The superficial epidermis and the deeper, thicker dermis.

What layer lies beneath the skin, and what is its key function?

The subcutaneous layer (hypodermis), which attaches the dermis to underlying fascia.

Within the dermis, which two regions must be compared for their composition?

The papillary region and the reticular region.

Which visible signs on the skin reflect emotional or physiological changes?

Facial expressions such as frowning or blushing and physiological responses like sweating.

Which organ is most easily inspected for infection, disease, and injury?

The skin.

According to the learning objectives, what should you be able to describe about the epidermis?

The layers of the epidermis and the specific cells that compose each layer.