Epidermis
-outermost layer
-composed of epithelium
-avascular
-protects underlying layers
Dermis
-underlying layers
-vascular & innervated
-provides strength and resilience
-composed of CT
-contains smooth muscles (associated w/ hair follicles) and nerve fibers to detect and monitor sensory input
Subcutaneous layer (hypodermis)
-composed of areolar and adipose CT
-not technically part of the skin
-anchors the skin to underlying structures
-acts as a shock absorber & insulator
Function of the ___
Protection -chemical barrier -physical barrier -biological barrier -temp. barrier -radiation (UV) barrier
Prevention of Water Loss -water resistant
Metabolic Regulation -vitamin D production -other minor metabolic roles
Secretion & Absorption -small amounts of metabolic waste (water, salts, urea, etc.) -selectively permeable
Immunity -identify and destroy pathogens -alerts immune system & initiates immune response
Epidermis
Function of the ___
Temp. Regulation -blood vessels -sweat glands -adipose
Sensory Reception -mechanoreceptor (touch, pressure, vibration, etc.) -nociceptor (pain) -thermoreceptor (temperature)
Dermis
Keratinocytes (cells of epidermis)
-most abundant
-produces keratin (fibrous protein that forms intermediate filaments) that provides the protective properties of the skin
-tightly connected to one another by desmosomes
Melanocyte (cells of epidermis)
-have long, branching spiderlike processes
-synthesize and store up the pigment of melanin in response to UV light
-melanin granules are taken up by keratinocytes & accumulate on the superficial side of the nucleus to protect the nucleus from UV light
From outer-to innermost layer
stratum corneum stratum lucidum stratum granulosum stratum spinosum stratum basale
Epidermis consists of
-keratinized stratified, squamous epithelium
-3 innermost layer consists of living cells
-two outermost layers are dead cells
Stratum Basale
-deepest layer
-attached to a basement membrane that separates it from the underlying dermis
-epidermal ridges increase grip
-single layer of cuboidal to low columnar cells *(most are keratinocytes) *(small population of melanocytes)
Stratum Spinosum
-overlies the stratum basale
-several layers thick
-keratinocytes from basale differentiate into non-dividing, specialized keratinocytes
-attached to neighbors by desmosomes results in spiny appearance
Stratum Granulosum
-3 to 5 layers thick
-keratinization *(keratinocytes produce keratohyalin (precursor to keratin) granules) *(nucleus and organelles begin to disintegrate) *(cells begin to die, due to lack of organelles & being pushed further away from source of nutrients)
-won't be complete until after keratinocytes rise to superficial layer
Stratum Lucidum
-thin, clear layer about 2-3 cell layers thick *(protects against friction) *(found only in thick skin on palms of hands and soles of feet)
-cells have become flattened and featureless
-filled with eleidin (an intermediate protein formed by keratohyalin) during keratin maturation *(helps protect skin from UV light)
Stratum Corneum
-most superficial layer
-individual keratinocyte from stratum basale to strata corneum exists for about 4 weeks *(lost due to desaquamation)
-15 to 30 layers of dead, scaly interlocked keratinized cells *(cells are anucleate) *(tightly packed together) *(contain large amounts of keratin)
-protective, durable overcoat *(thickened plasma membrane enhanced by special glycoproteins waterproofs the strata corneum) *(relatively insensitive to biological, chemical, and physical assault)
Thick Skin
-5 layers (contains stratum lucidum
-found on palms of hands and soles of feet
-contains sweat glands
-lacks hair follicles and sebaceous glands
Thin Skin
-4 layers (lacks stratum lucidum)
-covers most of the body
-contains sweat glands, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands
Epidermal dendritic (Langerhans')
-found within strata spinosum and granulosum
-phagocytic cell capable of stimulating immune response
Melanin
-only pigment made in the skin
-delivered to keratinocytes within melanosomes
-everyone has the same relative number of melanocytes
-varying shades of skin color reflects the amount of melanin produced and retained
-freckles and pigmented moles are local accumulations of melanin
Eumelanin
-black/brown pigment
Pheomelanin
-red/yellow pigment
Carotene
-yellow/orange pigment found in certain plants
-accumulates in the stratum corneum & fatty tissues of the hypodermis
Tactile discs
-Merkel (tactile) cells (in stratum basale)
-mechanoreceptors
-small receptive fields
-response to tactile stimulation help determine shape and texture of object *(fine touch) *(pressure)
Free nerve endings
-responsible for pain
-tickling (light touch)
-itching (noxious stimuli)
Epidermis produces Vitamin D
-vitamin D3 produced in the skin on exposure to UV light from a cholesterol precursor *(may also be absorbed in diet)
-converted to its active form by 2 enzymatic reactions *(one in liver) *(one in kidney)
-increases intestinal reabsorption of Ca2+ and (PO4)3-
Dermis
-cells are typical of those found in CT proper
-richly innervated, vascularized
-possesses lymphatic vessels
-2 layers *(papillary layer) *(reticular layer)
Papillary layer
-located near the superior surface
-areolar CT
Dermal papillae
-small projections indenting into epidermis
-contains free nerve endings = pain receptors, touch receptors
-interdigit with epidermal ridges to increase area of contact and interlock the 2 layers
Reticular layer
-dense irregular CT underlying the papillary layer of the dermis *(mostly collagen fibers running parallel to the skin surface) -> creates "cleavage lines" *(contains elastin providing elasticity)
-highly vascularized and innervated *(nerves allow us to distinguish diff. types of sensory stimuli) *(blood vessels supply nutrients for dermis and epidermis) *(blood vessels also play a role in temp. regulation)
-possesses flexure lines *(dermal folds where dermis is tightly secured to deeper structures)
Meissner's (tactile) corpuscle
-dermal papillae -light touch, pressure, and vibrations
Pacinian (lamellated) corpuscle
-reticular layer of dermis -deep pressure & vibration
Ruffiini corpuscle
-reticular layer among collagen bundles -pressure and skin distortion
Hair
-flexible strands of dead keratinized cells produced by the hair follicle *("hard keratin") *(tougher and more durable) *(individual cells do not flake off)
Function of ___ -protection *(head) sunburn and injury *(nasal and ear) traps particles *(eyes) prevent sweat and particles from endangering the eye
-heat retention *(acts like a cap to prevent heat from escaping scalp)
-sensory reception *(tactile receptors that detect light touch)
-visual identification *(determining age and sex) *(identifying individuals)
-chemical signal dispersion *(pheromones in axillary and pubic regions)
Hair
Shaft (structure of hair)
-projects above skin surface
-dead epithelial cells
Root (structure of hair)
-lies below the skin surface
-dead epithelial cells
Hair bulb (structure of hair)
-region at base of hair follicle
-located deep in dermis
-consists of living epithelial cells
-origin of hair
Hair papilla (structure of hair)
-possessing capillaries supplying nutrients and nerves (root hair plexus) of hair
-hair matrix contains cells that become the hair shaft
-contain hard keratin proteins
Medulla (structure of hair)
-innermost portion
-remnant of the matrix
-loosely arranged cells containing soft, flexible keratin and air pockets
Cortex (structure of hair)
-external to the medulla
-several layers of flattened cells
-hard keratin
Cuticle (structure of hair)
-outer layer consisting of a single layer of cells
-overlap one another (like shingles) away from the root
Hair follicle
-folds down from the epidermis into the dermis
-wall has 2 layers *(connective tissue root sheath) *(epithelial root sheath)
-arrector pili muscle
Connective tissue root sheath
-derived from the dermis
Epithelial root sheath
-derived from the epidermis
Arrector pili muscle
-responsible for contraction of the hair follicle
Anagen
-active phase
-producing new hairs
-pushes club hair out of follicle
Catagen
-end of active phase
Telogen
-resting phase for the follicle
Club hairs
-hair follicle is inactive
Lanugo hair
-fine, downy hair found on a fetus (third trimester)
Vellus hair
-replaces lanugo hair
-fine, pale body hair
Terminal hair
-darker, thicker hair located on the head, axillary, and pubic regions
-face and chest of adult males
-hair growth is dependent on nutrition and hormones
Shaft shape determines the
-appearance of the hair
Ribbonlike
-kinky hair
Round
-straight and coarse
Oval
-wavy hair
Hair pigment is made in the melanocytes
-found at the base of the follicle
Gray hair
-diminished melanin production
White hair
-no melanin production
Nails
-scalelike modifications of the stratum corneum *(compromised of hard keratin)
-protect the distal tips of the digits
-assist in grasping objects
3 parts of the nail
-nail plate
-nail bed *(underlies the nail plate)
-nail matric *(actively growing part of the nail) *(produces nail bed)
Lunula (structure of the nail)
-"white crescent"
-most proximal portion of the nail plate
Eponychium ("Cuticle")
-thin strip of epithelium that protects the matrix
Sebaceous glands
-secretions *(secrete an oily substance called sebum) *(bactericidal) *(stimulated by hormones)
-function as holocrine glands
-usually secrete into hair follicles
-secretions soften and lubricate hair and skin *(prevent excessive water loss) *(prevent bacterial growth)
Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands)
-scattered over the whole body (excluding nipples & genitals)
-two types *(Merocrine (Eccrine) sweat glands) *(Apocrine sweat glands)
Structure of Aprocrine sweat gland
-located in axillary & anogenital regions
-ducts empty into hair follicles
Secretion of Apocrine sweat gland
-same basic components as eccrine sweat + some fatty substances & proteins
-secretions are odorless but when decomposed by bacteria on the skin = body odor
Merocrine sweat glands
-abundant on palms, soles, and forehead
-sweat: hypotonic filtrate of the blood *(99% H2O)
-3 functions
-completely sympathetically regulated *(emotionally-induced sweating)
3 functions of Merocrine sweat glands
-thermoregulation *(primary role of sweat is to prevent overheating of body)
-excretion *(salts & metabolic wastes, such as urea)
-protection *(antibodies & derminidin (anti-bacterial peptide))