Integumentary

🧠 Topic 8 – The Integumentary System Flashcards

Flashcard #1
Term: Integumentary System
Definition: The body system made up of the skin, hair, nails, glands, and sensory receptors that protects the body and helps regulate temperature.

Flashcard #2
Term: Functions of the Skin
Definition: Includes protection, sensation, Vitamin D synthesis, blood storage, temperature regulation, and excretion of wastes.

Flashcard #3
Term: Epidermis
Definition: The outer layer of skin made of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium; functions in protection.

Flashcard #4
Term: Dermis
Definition: The middle layer made of connective tissue (areolar and dense irregular); contains blood vessels, glands, nerves, and hair follicles.

Flashcard #5
Term: Hypodermis
Definition: The deepest skin layer that attaches skin to underlying tissues; made of areolar and adipose tissue for cushioning and insulation.

Flashcard #6
Term: Exteroreceptors
Definition: Sensory receptors in the skin that detect stimuli from outside the body (e.g., touch, temperature, pain).

Flashcard #7
Term: Tactile Receptors
Definition: Specialized receptors that respond to touch, pressure, stretch, and vibration.

Flashcard #8
Term: Nociceptors
Definition: Pain receptors in the skin that detect tissue damage or potentially harmful stimuli.

Flashcard #9
Term: Hair
Definition: Dead cells filled with hard keratin that provide protection, warmth, and sensation.

Flashcard #10
Term: Hair Follicle
Definition: The structure in the dermis that produces hair; includes the root and papilla for nourishment.

Flashcard #11
Term: Nails
Definition: Hard keratin structures at the tips of fingers and toes that protect and assist in grasping.

Flashcard #12
Term: Nail Matrix
Definition: The growth region at the base of the nail where new nail cells form.

Flashcard #13
Term: Lunula
Definition: The whitish half-moon area above the nail matrix; visible part of the growing region.

Flashcard #14
Term: Cuticle (Eponychium)
Definition: The fold of skin at the base of the nail that protects the nail root from infection.

Flashcard #15
Term: Sebaceous Glands
Definition: Oil glands connected to hair follicles that secrete sebum to soften skin and hair, reduce water loss, and fight bacteria.

Flashcard #16
Term: Sebum
Definition: An oily, acidic mixture of fats, cholesterol, and lysozyme secreted by sebaceous glands.

Flashcard #17
Term: Eccrine Sweat Glands
Definition: Most common sweat glands found across the body; produce watery sweat (99% water + salts/wastes) for thermoregulation.

Flashcard #18
Term: Apocrine Sweat Glands
Definition: Found in axillary and genital areas; secrete sweat with fats and proteins into hair follicles; function unclear.

Flashcard #19
Term: Metabolic Rate
Definition: The rate of energy release from the body, measured by heat production or oxygen consumption.

Flashcard #20
Term: Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)
Definition: The energy rate at rest under standard conditions (fasting, relaxed, normal temperature, no exercise).

Flashcard #21
Term: Factors Increasing BMR
Definition: Exercise, stress, thyroid hormone, epinephrine, pregnancy, higher body temp, and food intake.

Flashcard #22
Term: Thyroid Hormone
Definition: Hormone that increases metabolic rate, stimulates mitochondria, and enhances carbohydrate, fat, and protein metabolism.

Flashcard #23
Term: Core Temperature
Definition: The temperature of internal organs (brain, thoracic, and abdominal cavities).

Flashcard #24
Term: Shell Temperature
Definition: The skin’s surface temperature, where heat is lost from the body.

Flashcard #25
Term: Vasodilation
Definition: Widening of skin blood vessels to increase heat loss when the body is too warm.

Flashcard #26
Term: Vasoconstriction
Definition: Narrowing of skin blood vessels to reduce heat loss and keep blood in the body core.

Flashcard #27
Term: Radiation
Definition: Heat loss by infrared energy transfer between objects not touching.

Flashcard #28
Term: Conduction
Definition: Heat transfer through direct contact between objects.

Flashcard #29
Term: Convection
Definition: Heat loss enhanced by moving air currents.

Flashcard #30
Term: Evaporation
Definition: Heat loss when sweat turns from liquid to vapor, removing heat from the skin.

Flashcard #31
Term: Thermoregulation
Definition: The process of maintaining a stable body temperature by balancing heat gain and heat loss.

Flashcard #32
Term: Thermoreceptors
Definition: Receptors that detect changes in body or environmental temperature.

Flashcard #33
Term: Hypothalamus (Preoptic Area)
Definition: The control center for body temperature that activates cooling or heating mechanisms.

Flashcard #34
Term: Hyperthermia
Definition: Body temperature above 100°F caused by excess heat.

Flashcard #35
Term: Hypothermia
Definition: Body temperature below 95°F caused by prolonged cold exposure.

Flashcard #36
Term: Heat Exhaustion
Definition: Overexposure to heat with fluid and electrolyte loss; symptoms include dizziness, fainting, weak pulse; treat with rest and fluids.

Flashcard #37
Term: Heat Stroke
Definition: Life-threatening condition where the body cannot regulate temperature; temperature >104°F, confusion, no sweating; needs immediate cooling and fluids.

Flashcard #38
Term: Fever
Definition: An abnormally high body temperature triggered by pyrogens that reset the hypothalamus.

Flashcard #39
Term: Exogenous Pyrogens
Definition: Fever-causing substances from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or medications.

Flashcard #40
Term: Endogenous Pyrogens
Definition: Fever-inducing chemicals from WBCs and injured cells (e.g., IL-1, IL-6, TNF).

Flashcard #41
Term: Prostaglandins
Definition: Substances made in the hypothalamus that reset the body’s temperature set point during a fever.

Flashcard #42
Term: First-Degree Burn
Definition: Superficial burn damaging only the epidermis; red, painful, heals in 3–5 days.

Flashcard #43
Term: Second-Degree Burn
Definition: Partial-thickness burn damaging epidermis and part of dermis; red, blistered, painful; heals in 10–21 days.

Flashcard #44
Term: Third-Degree Burn
Definition: Full-thickness burn destroying epidermis, dermis, and possibly deeper tissues; skin appears white or charred, no pain or sensation.

Flashcard #45
Term: Rule of Nines
Definition: Method to estimate body surface area (BSA) burned using percentages assigned to body regions.

Flashcard #46
Term: Lund–Browder Method
Definition: Hospital assessment that adjusts BSA estimates for body size differences between children and adults.

Flashcard #47
Term: Basal Cell Carcinoma
Definition: Most common skin cancer; appears as a white tumor with rolled edges and central ulcer.

Flashcard #48
Term: Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Definition: Firm lesions that may be red, yellow, or crusted; can invade deeper skin layers.

Flashcard #49
Term: Malignant Melanoma
Definition: Deadly skin cancer that is asymmetric with irregular borders, varied color, and >6 mm diameter.

Flashcard #50
Term: ABCDE Rule
Definition: Guide for spotting melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6 mm, Evolving changes.