ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY 2E Chapter 5 THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Practice flashcards for Chapter 5: The Integumentary System, covering functions, layers, accessory structures, and common conditions.

What are the four main functions of the integumentary system?

Protection, sensory function, thermoregulation, and Vitamin D synthesis

What two types of corpuscles are associated with sensory function in the integumentary system?

Pacinian and Meissner corpuscles

What happens to dermal blood vessels during strenuous physical activities to prevent overheating?

They dilate and sweat secretion increases

What happens to dermal blood vessels in response to low temperatures to minimize heat loss?

They constrict

What is the primary function of sweat secretion during strenuous activity in relation to thermoregulation?

It prevents the body from overheating

What are the two main sense receptors found within our dermis?

Meissner corpuscle and Pacinian corpuscle

Which dermal receptor is responsible for tactile or touch sensation?

Meissner corpuscle

Which dermal receptor responds to vibration?

Pacinian corpuscle

Where is a Meissner corpuscle typically located in a skin cross-section?

In a dermal papilla adjacent to the basement membrane and stratum basale of the overlying epidermis

What are the two main layers of the skin?

Epidermis and dermis

What type of cells is the epidermis made of?

Closely packed epithelial cells

What type of tissue is the dermis made of?

Dense, irregular connective tissue

What structures are housed within the dermis?

Blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures

What layer lies beneath the dermis?

The hypodermis

What is the hypodermis mainly composed of?

Loose connective and fatty tissues

What type of epithelial cells is the epidermis made up of?

Keratinized, stratified squamous epithelial cells

What does 'stratified' mean in the context of the epidermis?

Many layers

What does 'squamous' mean in the context of the epidermis?

Flat

How many layers does the epidermis typically have?

4-5 layers

Where is 'thick skin' found on the body?

Palms of our hands and our feet

What is the main difference in thickness between thin and thick skin?

Thick skin has a significantly thicker epithelial layer

List the layers of the epidermis from deep to superficial in thin skin.

Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum corneum

What is the deepest layer of the epidermis?

Stratum basale

What is the most superficial layer of the epidermis?

Stratum corneum

Which additional layer is found in 'thick skin'?

Stratum lucidum

Where is the stratum lucidum located in thick skin?

Between the stratum corneum and stratum granulosum

What are keratinocytes?

Cells that make and store the protein, keratin

In which layers of the epidermis are keratinocytes found?

All layers

What is keratin?

An intracellular fibrous protein that is waterproof

How is the epidermis described as an epithelium?

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

What type of cells are found in the basal layer of the epidermis?

Cuboidal cells

What type of cells are the outer layers of the epidermis composed of?

Squamous, keratinized cells

Which epidermal layer is the deepest?

Stratum basale

What is a key characteristic of cells in the stratum basale?

Cuboidal cells, highly mitotic

Which epidermal layer is the 4th from the bottom?

Stratum spinosum

What is a characteristic feature of cells in the stratum spinosum?

Spiny appearance, desmosomes

Which epidermal layer is considered the middle layer?

Stratum granulosum

What process begins in the stratum granulosum?

Keratinization

Which epidermal layer is 2nd from the top, exclusively found in thick skin?

Stratum lucidum

Describe the cells of the stratum lucidum.

Clear, flat, dead keratinocytes

Which epidermal layer is the most superficial?

Stratum corneum

What is a key characteristic of the stratum corneum?

Many layers of dead, flat keratinocytes, waterproof

Why is the dermis considered the 'core' of the integumentary system?

It houses blood and lymph vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands

What are the two components or layers of the dermis?

Papillary layer and reticular layer

What type of tissue are both layers of the dermis made of?

Connective tissue

What fibers extend between the papillary and reticular layers of the dermis?

Collagen fibers

Which dermal layer includes the dermal papillae extending into the epidermis?

The papillary layer

Which dermal layer contains dense collagen fiber bundles?

The reticular layer

What determines the relative coloration of the skin?

The amount of melanin produced by melanocytes and taken up by keratinocytes

Where are melanocytes located?

In the stratum basale

What protein is responsible for skin coloration?

Melanin

What are moles?

Benign accumulations of melanocytes, or in some cases, melanomas

What is vitiligo characterized by?

Depigmentation resulting in lighter colored patches of skin

Name four accessory structures of the integumentary system.

Hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands

Where do hair follicles originate?

In the epidermis

What differentiate into cells of the inner root sheath?

Basal cells of the hair matrix

What forms the outer root sheath at the base of the hair root?

Basal cells

What is the visible part of the nail that extends beyond the finger or toe?

Free edge

What is the fold of skin overlapping the side of the nail?

Lateral nail fold

What is the crescent-shaped whitish area at the base of the nail?

Lunula

What is another name for the cuticle, the small band of tissue protecting the nail root?

Eponychium

What is the fold of skin on the proximal side of the nail body?

Proximal nail fold

What is the hidden part of the nail embedded in the skin?

Nail root

What is the visible part of the nail, covering the nail bed?

Nail body

What lies underneath the free edge of the nail, securing it to the fingertip?

Hyponychium

What is another name for sweat glands?

Sudoriferous glands

What are the two types of sweat glands?

Eccrine and apocrine

Which type of sweat gland is primarily involved in thermoregulation and found all over the body (e.g., palms)?

Eccrine glands

Which type of sweat gland is larger than eccrine glands and located deeper in the dermis?

Apocrine glands

Where are apocrine sweat glands typically located?

Hairy locations like armpits and genital regions

Why does sweat from apocrine glands smell worse than eccrine sweat?

It is thicker

What is the primary composition of sweat released by eccrine glands?

Mostly water

When is sweat released from apocrine glands, besides the general locations?

When we are nervous or when our hormone levels spike

What is another name for sebaceous glands?

Oil glands

What is the function of sebaceous glands?

To lubricate and waterproof skin and hair

What substance do sebaceous glands generate?

Sebum

What is sebum's role?

Natural lubrication for dead keratinized cells of the stratum corneum

What is one of the first noticeable signs of aging in the skin?

Loss of elasticity

How does cell division change in the body with aging?

Slows down

How does metabolic activity change in the body with aging?

Slower

How does blood circulation change with aging?

Decreases

How do hormone levels change with aging?

Decrease

How does muscle strength change with aging?

Decreases

What happens to mitosis in the stratum basale with aging?

Decreased mitosis

What is the effect of decreased mitosis in the stratum basale on the epidermis with aging?

Thinner epidermis

Name a common inflammatory skin condition often characterized by dry, itchy patches.

Eczema

Name a common skin condition caused by over-productive sebaceous glands.

Acne

Name a chronic autoimmune skin condition that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells.

Psoriasis

What is the most common disease for skin?

Cancer

What medical professional specializes in skin conditions?

Dermatologists

How often should an individual typically get a whole body skin scan?

At least once per year

Name the three main types of skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma

Which type of skin cancer is readily cured if caught early?

Basal cell carcinoma

What serious type of skin cancer is characterized by the ABCDEs?

Melanoma

What does 'A' stand for in the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Asymmetry

What does 'B' stand for in the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Borders (irregular)

What does 'C' stand for in the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Color (varied or uneven)

What does 'D' stand for in the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Diameter (larger than 6mm)

What does 'E' stand for in the ABCDEs of melanoma?

Evolving (changes in size, shape, color, or elevation)

What causes acne formation?

Over-productive sebaceous glands