Integumentary System

Integumentary System
  • Includes skin, hair, nails, glands; also contains sensory receptors & vascular network

  • Skin

  • Functions of the skin

    • Protection
    • Thermoregulation
    • Sensation:
    • Tactile - touch and pressure
    • Thermal - warmth and coolness
    • Pain
    • Excretion
    • Water and some wastes
    • Absorption
    • Fat-soluble vitamins, O2, CO2, and some toxins - acetone, lead, mercury, and poison ivy, and oak
    • Produces Vitamin D
  • 2 distinct layers

    • Epidermis
    • Thinnest & outermost layer
    • Composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
    • Dermis
    • Deepest & innermost layer
    • Composed of connective tissue
    • Contains an abundance of blood vessels and nerve endings
    • Hypodermis
    • Also called the Subcutaneous layer
    • Composed of Loose connective tissue & Adipose tissue
    • Binds skin to underlying tissue
    • If it is mostly adipose, it is subcutaneous fat
    • Insulation and energy reservoir

^^Epidermis consists of 4 or 5 distinct layers dependent on location^^

  • Stratum Basale - deepest
    • Columnar stem cells
    • Constantly reproducing pushing the older cells upward
  • Stratum Granulosum
    • 3-5 layers
    • Keratinization begins
    • Last layer with blood nutrient supply
  • Stratum corneum
    • Several cell layers thick (up to 30 layer)
    • At the top is the flat dead layers which is composed of keratin
    • Keratinocytes: new skin layers
  • 4 Specialized cell types
    • Keratinocytes - produce keratin (helps your hair and nails grow)
    • Melanocytes - produce melanin (helps with pigmentation in hair and skin)
    • Langerhans cells - associated with the immune system (produces good healthy immune system)
    • Merkel Cells - touch receptors (in hands and all over the body - sends waves into the brain)
Temperature
  • First impression
  • Touch
  • Measurement
    • Celsius (0 and 100)
    • Fahrenheit (32 and 212)

Normal Body temperature

Normal temperature is 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) 

  • Hyperthermia: increase in core temperature
    • Temperature above 105℉ (41 degrees ℃): brain cells die, seizures
  • Hypothermia: decrease in core temperature
    • 93℉  (34℃): normal body warming fails
    • 90℉ (32℃): shivering stops, heart sounds diminish, cardiac irritability increases
    • 70℉ (21℃): Present with deathlike appearance and possible irreversible asystole

Places to take temperate

  • Oral
  • Rectal
  • Axillary
  • ear

Factors that affect temperature 

  • A person’s age and sex
  • The time of day, typically being lowest in the early morning and highest in the late afternoon
  • High or low activity levels
  • Food and fluid intake
  • For females, the stage in their monthly menstrual cycle
  • The method of measurements, such as oral (mouth),  rectal (bottom), or armpit readings

Formulas for conversion 

Celsius to Fahrenheit: (Cx9/5)+32=F

Fahrenheit to Celsius: (F-32)x5/9=C

Abnormal Changes in Skin Color
ConditionSkin ToneCause
CyanosisBlue tintA deficiency of oxygen in circulating blood
JaundiceYellow discoloration of skin & the whites of eyesImpaired liver function (hepatitis or liver disease) allows bile to accumulate, which stains the skin 
BronzingA golden-brown skin color A deficiency of hormones from the adrenal gland such as occurs with Addison disease
AlbinismExtremely pale skin, white hair, & pink eyesA genetic lack of melanin
ErythemaAbnormal rednessIncreased blood flow in dilated blood vessels close to the skin’s surface; may result from heat, exercise, sunburn, or emotions such as embarrassment or anger
PallorPale skinDecreased blood flow, such as occurs from cold temperatures, fear or emotional stress, low blood pressure, or blood loss
Bruise (Hematoma)Bluish, black, or yellowish mark on the skinThe breakdown of clotted blood under the skin
  • Capillary Refill test (CRT)
    • 2 seconds or less (CRT<2)
    • 3 seconds or more (CRT>2)

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