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Anatomy and Physiology I > Chapter 6 - The Integumentary System > Flashcards

Chapter 6 - The Integumentary System Flashcards

1
Q

True or false: Inspection of the skin, hair, and nails is significant part of a physical exam

A

True

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2
Q

True or false: Skin is NOT the most vulnerable organ

A

False; skin is the most vulnerable organ. It’s exposed to radiation, trauma, infection, and injurious chemicals

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3
Q

True or false: the skin receives more medical treatment than any other organ system

A

True

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4
Q

Define dermatology

A

The scientific study and medical treatment of the integumentary system

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5
Q

What are the six main functions of the skin?

A 
1) Resistance to trauma and infection:
Keratin; dermacidin & defensins; acid mantle
2) Other barrier functions:
Water (protects against dehydration)
UV radiation; melanin
Harmful chemicals
3) Vitamin D synthesis: 
Skin carries out first step; Liver & kidneys complete process
4) Sensation receptors
Touch, temperature, pressure, vibration, tickle, itch, and pain sensations
5) Regulation of body temperature
Thermoreceptors
Vasoconstriction/vasodilation
If you are too warm, do cutaneous blood vessels vasodilate or vasoconstrict?
Perspiration
6) Nonverbal communication
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6
Q

What are the two layers of the skin (cutaneous membrane)?

A

Dermis and epidermis

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7
Q

What are the two main parts of the skin?

A

The cutaneous membrane (the skin) and the subcutaneous layer

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8
Q

What type of cells is the epidermis made of?

A

Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium

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9
Q

Describe the characteristics of the epidermis

A

Includes dead cells at skin surface packed with tough keratin protein
5 distinct strata (layers) in thick skin; 4 strata in thin skin
Lacks blood vessels
Depends on the diffusion of nutrients from underlying connective tissue
Contains sparse nerve endings for touch and pain

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10
Q

List the five epidermal cell types

A

Stem cells, keratinocytes, melanocytes, tactile (merkel) cells, and dendritic cells

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11
Q

Describe stem cells in the epidermis

A

Undifferentiated cells that give rise to keratinocytes

In deepest layer of epidermis (stratum basale)

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12
Q

Describe keratinocytes

A

The majority of epidermal cells; Synthesize keratin

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13
Q

Describe melanocytes

A

Synthesize pigment melanin (shields DNA from UV radiation)

Occur only in stratum basale but have branched processes that distribute melanin to keratinocytes

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14
Q

Describe tactile (merkel) cells

A

Touch receptor cells in basal layer

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15
Q

Describe dendritic cells

A

Macrophages (WBCs) that are part of the immune system

Found mainly in stratum spinosum and granulosum

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16
Q

Describe thick skin and where it’s found

A

Lacks hair follicles and sebaceous (oil) glands
Has stratum lucidum
Generally has more sweat and sensory receptors
Epidermis 0.5 mm thick
Found on palms of hands and soles of feet

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17
Q

Describe thin skin

A

Possesses hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands

Epidermis about 0.1 mm thick

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18
Q

Name the layers of the epidermis from deepest to shallowest

A

Stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, stratum corneum

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19
Q

Describe the stratum basale

A

Single layer of stem cells and keratinocytes
Stem cells divide and give rise to keratinocytes that migrate toward skin surface to replace lost cells
Also contains a few melanocytes and tactile cells
Deepest epidermal layer

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20
Q

Describe the stratum spinosum

A

Several layers of keratinocytes joined together by desmosomes and tight junctions
Named for appearance of cells after histological preparation (spiny)
Also contains some dendritic cells

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21
Q

Describe the stratum granulosum

A

Three to five layers of flat keratinocytes

Cells contain dark-staining kerotohyalin granules

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22
Q

Describe the stratum lucidum

A

Thin, pale layer found only in thick skin

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23
Q

Describe the stratum corneum

A

20-30 layers of dead, scaly, keratinized cells

Resists abrasion, water loss, penetration of bacteria and chemicals

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24
Q

Describe the life history of a keratinocyte

A

Stem cells divide producing keratinocytes.
New keratinocytes push older ones toward the surface
Over time, keratinocytes flatten, produce more keratin and membrane-coating vesicles that release lipids that waterproofs the cell.

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25
Q

How long does it take keratinocytes to reach the surface layer of skin?

A

Take about 30-40 days – slower in old age and faster in injured or stressed skin (calluses or corns).

26
Q

Where does mitosis occur in keratinocytes?

A

Keratinocytes in the deepest part of stratum spinosum can also divide. Mitosis requires abundant oxygen and nutrients, so once cells migrate away from blood vessels of the dermis, mitosis cannot occur

27
Q

Describe the function of the epidermal water barrier

A

Water retention is fostered by tight junctions between skin cells and the waterproofing that occurs in the stratum granulosum
Helps prevent dehydration
Does not prevent the absorption of water by the stratum corneum when we soak in a bath (“prune fingers”)

28
Q

What are the layers of the dermis? (in order from shallow to deep)

A

Papillary layer and reticular layer

29
Q

Describe the papillary layer of the dermis

A

Most superficial layer of the dermis
Thin zone of areolar tissue in and near the dermal papilla
Anchors epidermis to dermis
Rich in small blood vessels
Contains Tactile (Meissner) corpuscles (touch) and free nerve endings (pain and temperature)

30
Q

Describe the reticular layer of the dermis

A

The deeper and thicker layer of dermis
Consists of dense, irregular connective tissue
Packed with oil glands, sweat glands, hair follicles, etc.
Stretch marks (striae): tears in the collagen fibers caused by stretching of the skin due to pregnancy or obesity
Contains Lamellar (Pacinian) corpuscles for pressure reception

31
Q

Describe the formation of fingerprints

A

Dermal papillae are more pronounced in thick skin (palms, soles, etc.)
As epidermis conforms to papillae, epidermal ridges are formed
Increases friction – better grip

32
Q

Describe the hypodermis

A

Has more areolar and adipose than dermis
Common site of drug injection since it has many blood vessels
Subcutaneous fat used for energy reservoir and thermal insulation
Thicker in women
Thinner in infants and elderly

33
Q

Describe the 3 main things that contribute to skin color

A

1) Melanin
Produced by melanocytes, accumulates in keratinocytes
People of different skin colors have the same number of melanocytes but differ on the amounts of melanin
2) Hemoglobin
pigment in red blood cells; adds reddish to pinkish hue to skin
3) Carotene
yellow pigment acquired from egg yolks and yellow/orange vegetables
Concentrates in stratum corneum and subcutaneous fat

34
Q

Describe melanin

A

Eumelanin—brownish black
Pheomelanin—reddish yellow (sulfur-containing)
Darker skinned people:
Produce greater quantities of melanin
Melanin breaks down more slowly
Melanin granules more spread out in keratinocytes
Melanized cells seen throughout the epidermis
Lighter skinned people:
Melanin clumped near keratinocyte nucleus
Little melanin seen beyond stratum basale
Exposure to UV light stimulates melanin secretion and darkens skin
This color fades as melanin is degraded and old cells are exfoliated

35
Q

List the different types of skin color/tone and describe what conditions are associated with them

A

Cyanosis—blueness due to oxygen deficiency
Erythema—redness due to increased blood flow to skin
Pallor—paleness due to decreased blood flow to skin
Albinism—milky white skin and blue-gray eyes due to genetic lack of melanin synthesizing enzyme
Jaundice—yellowing due to bilirubin in blood (can be caused by compromised liver function)
Hematoma—bruising (clotted blood under skin

36
Q

Define hair

A

A slender filament of keratinized cells growing from a tube in the skin called a hair follicle

37
Q

What are the 3 sections of a hair along its length?

A

Bulb: Contains matrix cells (mitotically active cells)
Root: the remainder of the hair in the follicle
Shaft: the portion above the skin surface

38
Q

What are the three layers of a hair visible in a cross-section?

A

Medulla (core), Cortex, Cuticle (outer layer)

39
Q

Describe hair receptors

A

sensory nerve fibers entwining follicles

Detect hair movement

40
Q

Describe the piloerector muscle (arrector pili)

A

Smooth muscle attaching follicle to dermis

Contracts to make hair stand on end (goose bumps)

41
Q

What are the 4 main functions of hair?

A

Protection
Light touch
Heat retention
Excretion

42
Q

Describe the composition of fingernails

A

They’re clear, hard derivatives of stratum corneum composed of thin, dead cells packed with hard keratin

43
Q

Describe merocrine/eccrine sweat glands

A

Most numerous of skin glands
Duct opens to surface of skin
Regulates body temperature with perspiration

44
Q

Describe apocrine sweat glands

A

Locations: groin, anal region, axilla, areola, beard (men)
Inactive until puberty; responds to stress and sexual stimulation
Ducts lead to nearby hair follicles
Believed to secrete pheromones

45
Q

Define bromhidrosis

A

Disagreeable body odor produced by bacterial action on sweat from apocrine glands

46
Q

Describe sebaceous glands

A

Most open into a hair follicle, and they utilize a holocrine secretion style to secrete sebum

47
Q

Describe sebum

A

The oily secretion of sebaceous glands
Keeps skin and hair from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked
Inhibits growth of bacteria & fungi (ringworm)

48
Q

Give an example of a modified oil gland

A

Ciliary Glands

49
Q

Describe the ceruminous glands in external ear canal

A 
Modified apocrine glands
Forms earwax (cerumen)
50
Q

Describe mammary glands

A

Milk-producing glands that develop only during pregnancy.
Modified apocrine sweat glands
Rich secretion released through ducts opening at nipple

51
Q

What causes most skin cancers?

A

Most cases caused by UV rays of the sun damaging skin cell DNA

52
Q

What are the three types of skin cancer? Describe their malignancy

A 
1) Basal cell carcinoma
Most common but least malignant
2) Squamous cell carcinoma
May metastasize if not removed
3) Melanoma
Least common but very malignant
53
Q

Describe basal cell carcinomas

A

Most common type
Least dangerous because it seldom metastasizes
Forms from cells in stratum basale
Lesion is small, shiny bump with central depression and beaded edges

54
Q

Describe squamous cell carcinoma

A
  • Arises from keratinocytes of stratum spinosum
  • Lesions usually on scalp, ears, lower lip, or back of the hand
  • Have raised, reddened, scaly appearance later forming a concave ulcer
  • Chance of recovery good with early detection and surgical removal
  • Tends to metastasize to lymph nodes and may become lethal
55
Q

Describe malignant melanoma

A

Skin cancer that arises from melanocytes
Less than 5% of skin cancers, but most deadly form
Can be successfully removed if caught early, but if it metastasizes it is usually fatal
Greatest risk factor: familial history of malignant melanoma
Highest incidence in men, redheads, and people who had severe sunburn as a child

56
Q

List the ABCDEs of melanomas

A 
A: Asymmetry
B: Border
C: Color
D: Diameter
E: Elevation and/or evolution
57
Q

Describe burns

A

The leading cause of accidental death
Fires, kitchen spills, sunlight, ionizing radiation, strong acids or bases, or electrical shock
Deaths result primarily from fluid loss, infection, and toxic effects of eschar (burned, dead tissue)
Debridement: removal of eschar
Burns classified according to depth of tissue involvement

58
Q

Describe first degree burns

A

Involves only epidermis; Heals in days

59
Q

Describe second degree burns

A

Partial-thickness burn; involves part of dermis
May appear red, tan, or white; blistered and painful
Two weeks to several months to heal and may leave scars

60
Q

Describe third degree burns

A

Full-thickness burn; involves epidermis, all of dermis, and often some deeper tissues
Often requires skin grafts
Needs fluid replacement, infection control, supplemental nutrition

Anatomy and Physiology I (39 decks)

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