CCMA training notes: The Integumentary System Review

  1. Body Systems (brief overview) 

  • Tissues, Organs, and Organ Systems  

  • Cells:  

  • Building blocks of the body and every living thing 

  • They form tissues  

  • Tissue:  

  • They create organs 

  • Organ:  

  • They work together to from an organ system  

  • Organ System: 

  • It performs all the needed functions in the body  

  • The Body:  

  • Contains all these things and can function due to the organ system’s performance 

  •  The Integumentary System  

  • Includes: the skin, the many accessory structures in the skin, including the hair, nails, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nerve receptors  

  • Anatomy:  

  • The skin has 3 layers 

  1. The exterior with layer’s epidermis and dermis  

  1. The subcutaneous layers 

  • BOTH including:  

  • Veins and arteries  

  • Nerves and touch receptors  

  • Sweat and sebaceous glands 

  • As well as hair and hair follicles  

  1. The sebaceous layer  

  • This includes a large layer of fat 

  • Functions of the skin:  

  • Waterproofing of the body to prevent fluid loss  

  • Protecting the body from pathogens  

  • Sensing the sense of touch  

  • Synthesizing vitamin D using the sun’s ultraviolet light and screening out harmful radiation  

  • Secreting oil for lubrication and inhibition of bacterial growth on skin  

  • Physiology  

  • Skin pigmentation 

  • Development of color:  

  • Melanin and carotene are pigments that contribute to the skin color  

  • Additionally, the hemoglobin of the blood, emotions, and other substances can impact skin color  

  • Hair growth 

  • At any given time, a random number of hairs will be in one of three stages of growth and shedding out of the hair follicle  

  • Nail growth  

  • The nails on the fingers and toes also grow in a specific process  

  • Common diseases and disorders  

  • Sebaceous Gland Conditions  

  • There are many disorders of the sebaceous glands:  

  • Acne Vulgaris 

  1. Is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustule eruptions of the skin 

  1. Generally caused by an overproduction of sebum produced around the root of the hair in the hair follicle 

  1. Through it can occur in adults, it is commonly triggered by hormones during puberty  

  • Seborrhea  

  1. Is the overactivity of the sebaceous glands  

  1. Results in the production of an excessive amount of sebum  

  1. Seborrhea Dermatitis: when the sebaceous gland becomes infected  

  • Seborrheic Keratosis  

  1. Is a benign skin growth  

  1. It is waxy in appearance  

  1. These growths can vary in color from light tan to black and can occur most commonly in the elderly  

  • Nail Conditions  

  • There are many different types of nail conditions and infections: 

  1. Onychia:  

  • An inflammation of the bed of the fingernail or toenail, the nail typically falls off  

  1. Onychogryphosis:  

  • Is commonly called an ingrown toenail  

  • The edges of the nail curve inward and out into the skin resulting in inflammation and often infection  

  1. Onychomycosis: 

  • Is a fungal infection of the nail and can be caused by several different fungui  

  • The nail can turn white, green, black, or yellow and often become thick and brittle                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

  • Skin Conditions  

  • Mycosis:  

  • An abnormal condition caused by fungus  

  • Tinea  

  • An infection in the skin, hair, or nails and is commonly called ringworm  

  • There is a fungal infection (not a worm)  

  • Impetigo 

  • A highly contagious bacterial infection that occurs sometimes in children  

  • Causes pustules that become crusted and then rupture  

  • Gangrene  

  • Refers to death of tissue mainly caused by loss of circulation to the area  

  • Parasitic  

  • Refers to the dwelling of microscopic parasites on the surface of the skin 

  • They live and potentially lay eggs and reproduce on the skin surface 

  • There are many different types of parasites  

  • Surface Lesions  

  • Lesions: 

  • Are fluid-filled sacs or pockets in the skin  

  • There are many different types depending on the structure, size, fluid type, and depth of skin tissue involved  

  • Crust or Scab:  

  • This is a collection of dried serum and cellular debris after an injury  

  • Macule:  

  • Is a discolored flat spot less than 1 cm in diameter  

  • EX: freckles and flat moles  

  • Weal:  

  • Is a smooth, slightly elevated, swollen area that is more red or paler than the surrounding skin, and usually itch  

  • Nodule:  

  • Is a solid, raised lesion larger than 0.5 cm in diameter  

  • They can cause scarring  

  • Exudate:  

  • Is the fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound  

  • Psoriasis  

  • Is a common skin disorder resulting in flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttock 

  • Pigmentation Conditions  

  • There are many different types of conditions related to skin pigmentation: 

  • Acanthosis nigricans: Characterized by areas of the skin that develop dark, wart like patches  

  • Albinism: Genetic condition where there is a deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin as well as hair and irises of eyes  

  • Chloasma: Pigmentation disorder characterized by brown spots on the face often occurring in pregnancy after delivery  

  • Vitiligo: Results from a destruction of the melanocytes, cause is unknown, and it causes irregular patches of white skin  

  • Hair Conditions  

  • Alopecia:  

  1. The partial or complete loss of hair or baldness  

  1. Androgenic alopecia is the most common type and refers to male pattern baldness due to male hormones, though this condition can be found in females 

  1. Other types are caused by different problems or chemicals  

  • Folliculitis:  

  1. Is an inflammation of the hair follicle  

  1. Can be common in the arms, legs, and beards of males  

  1. One common cause is bacteria found in poorly chlorinated hot tubs and whirlpools  

  • Hirsutism:  

  1. Is the presence of excessive body and facial hair in women  

  1. It usually occurs in a male pattern and is hereditary or sometimes caused by a hormone imbalance  

  • Bleeding under skin  

  • Contusion:  

  • An injury to the skin without breaking the skin surface  

  • There is discoloration caused by an accumulation of blood within the skin and often pain  

  • Ecchymosis:  

  • Is commonly called a bruise, is an area of purplish color caused by bleeding under the skin  

  • Hematoma:  

  • Is a swelling of clotted blood in the tissue typically caused by a forceful injury to the tissue  

  • Petechiae:  

  • Are very small hemorrhages less than 2 mm in diameter  

  • They sometimes occur after a high fever  

  • Purpura:  

  • Refers to purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin  

  • Dermatitis  

  • Is an inflammation of the skin where the skin becomes red, swollen, and itchy  

  • Contact dermatitis: results from contact with an irritant or allergen  

  • Eczema: is persistent or reoccurring dermatitis (also called atopic dermatitis) resulting in redness, itching, and dryness. The skin can also blister, crack, ooze, or bleed  

  • Exfoliative dermatitis: a widespread scaling of the skin that often comes with hair loss, erythroderma (redness), and pruritis (itching)   

  • Lesions through skin  

  • There are many different types of lesions on the skin also called wounds 

  1. Fissure: Is a groove or crack in the skin  

  1. Ulcer: Is an open lesion resulting in tissue loss around the edges  

  1. Pressure sore: Is also called a decubitus ulcer or bedsore, it is an open ulcerated wound caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the skin, and there can be serious leading to tissue death if left untreated