Integument Flashcards
(50 cards)
Skin
largest organ and accounts for 7% of body weight
varies in thickness from 1.5-4.4 mm
divided into two distinct layers: epidermis and dermis
Hypodermis
lies deep to dermis
also called superficial fascia
contains areolar and adipose connective tissue
anchors skin to underlying structures
helps insulate the body
hypodermis is area that can thicken dramatically with development of increased adipose tissue in people with obesity (e.g., adipose deposits in the abdominal wall)
Functions of Skin and Hypodermis
protection: cushions organs and protects from bumps, chemicals, water loss, UV radiation
regulation of body temperature
excretion: urea, salts, and water lost through sweat
production of vitamin D in deep epidermis
sensory reception: keeps us aware of conditions at the body’s surface
Embryologic Origin of Skin
epidermis: develops from embryonic ectoderm
dermis and hypodermis: develop from mesoderm
melanocytes: develop from neural crest cells which are of ectoderm origin
Epidermis (layers)
stratum of corneum stratum of lucidum (only in thick skin) stratum granulosum stratum spinosum stratum basale (straum germinativum) vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is synthesized from 7-dehydrocholesterol in the deep epidermis (stratum basale & stratum spinosum)
Epidermis (cell types)
epidermis is deratinized stratified squamous epithelium with four distinct cells types:
keratinocytes: most common cell type in epidermis
melanocytes: location - basal layer; manufacture and secrete pigment
tactile epithelial cells: location - basal layer; attached to sensory nerve endings
dendritic cells: location - stratum spinosum; part of immune system; macrophage-like
Keratinocytes vs. Keratocytes
keratinocytes: predominant cell type in skin epidermis
keratocytes: specialized fibroblasts in the cornea
Keratinocytes in Epidermis (1)
most abundant cell type in epidermis
present in all epidermis layers
cells are tightly connected by a large number of desmosomes
produce antibodies and enzymes that detoxify chemicals that are exposed to our skin
produce keratin, a tough fibrous protein that gives skin epidermis its protective properties
Keratinocytes in Epidermis (2)
arise from deepest layer of epidermis (stratum basale) from cells that undergo continuous mitosis
as these cells are pushed up by the production of new cells beneath them, they make keratin that fills their cytoplasm
Keratinocytes in Epidermis (3)
by the time they reach the surface of the skin they are dead flat cells full of keratin
millions of these dead cells rub off from our skin every day
35-45 days is average time from the birth of a keratinocyte until it sloughs off of the exterior skin
we form an entirely new skin epidermis every 35-45 days
the average person sheds 40 pounds of skin flakes in a lifetime
Keratinocytes in Epidermis (4)
where the skin experiences friction, both the cell production and keratin production are accelerated and the epidermis can become thick in this area
persistent friction can cause a significant thickening of the epidermis called a callus
short term severe friction can result in a blister of the skin which is the separation of the epidermis from the dermis by a fluid-filled pocket
Stratum Basale (1)
deepest layer of epidermis
consists of the single row of cells, most of which are stem cells representing the youngest keratinocytes
cells actively divide
attached to underlying dermis
relies on capillaries in the underlying dermis for nutrients
Stratum Basale (2)
tactile epithelial cells (Merkel cells) associated with sensory nerve endings are sparsely distributed among the keratinocytes in the stratum basale
melanocytes: spider-shaped melanocytes make up 10-25% of the cells in stratum basale
melanocytes make melanin and transport it through its spider-shaped cells process to nearby keratinocytes
Stratum Basale (3)
melanin shields the cell nuclei from incoming UV radiation
darker skinned people have darker melanin and more pigment in each melanocyte
melanocytes respond to ultraviolet radiation by increasing production of melanin and increasing its transfer to keratinocytes, the protective response which results in a suntan
Stratum Basale (4)
vitamin D3 (cholcalciferol) is a fat-soluble secosteroid formed from 7-dehydrocholesterol in deep epidermis (stratum basale and stratum spinosum) after exposure to ultraviolet B light vitamin D is essential for uptake of calcium from the diet and formation of healthy bones as well as providing other health benefits
Stratum Basale (5)
inverse relationship between level of melanin in keratinocytes and ability to produce vitamin D given the same UV exposure
humans with high levels of melanin tend to have originated from regions of the world (e.g., equatorial latitudes) where they have been exposed to large amounts of UV light, whereas humans with low levels of melanin tend to have originated from regions of the world exposed to lower levels of UV light
Stratum Spinosum (1)
several cell layers of keratinocytes united by desmosomes
mitosis can occur in keratinocytes in this layer, however, less often that in the basal layer
relies on capillaries in the underlying dermis for nutrients
Stratum Spinosum (2)
contains thick bundles of intermediate filaments (tonofilaments) which consist of the tension-resisting protein pre-keratin
contains star-shaped dendritic cells scattered among the keratinocytes
dendritic cells are part of the immune system and engulf foreign antigens that have invaded the epidermis and generate an immune response
Stratum Graunulosum
consists of 1-5 layers of flattened keratinocytes
relieson capillaries in teh underlying dermis for nutrients
contains intermediate filaments (tonofilaments) which consists of the tension-resisting protein pre-keratin
contain keratohyaline granules which help form keratin
contain lamellated granules which contain a waterproofing glycolipid which is secreted into the extracellular space
Stratum Lucidum
clear layer
occurs only in thick skin e.g., palms and soles
composed of a few rows of flat, dead keratinocytes which are like cells in the stratum corneum
Stratum Corneum
horny layer
thick layer (multiple layers of cells) of dead keratinocytes
keratinocytes with thickened plasma membranes
dead keratinocytes are flat sacs filled with keratin
protects skin against abrasion and penetration
intercellular glycolipid keeps layer water proof
humans shed millions of dead keratinocytes off the outer surface of teh stratum corneum each day
Skin Color
pigments which contribute to skin color:
melanin: most important pigment - made from tyrosine, differences both in the amount and type of melanin in humans
carotene: yellowish pigment from carrots and tomatoes can accumulate in stratum corneum and in the hypodermis
hemoglobin: skin with low amounts of melanin allows crimson color of blood to show through skin
Albinism
people with albinism lack the enzyme necessary to make melanin
Freckles
both freckles and moles are localized accumulations of melanin in the skin
freckles can develop as a result of repeated exposure to sunlight
with freckles, the increase in melanin is restricted to the basal layer of the epidermis
people with light complexions are more prone to freckle formation