INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Question 1

Define Epidermis

Answer 1

the skin’s outer layer, which contains 5 layers

Question 2

Epidermis is composed of:

Answer 2

stratified squamous epithelium, thus it is avascular and thin

Question 3

What is epidermis’ function?

Answer 3

It acts as a mechanical and chemical barrier, protects structures, participates in immunity responses, it contains sensory receptors, and regulates body temperature by secreting sweat

Question 4

Define Keratin

Answer 4

A tough protein that hardens and flattens cells as they move towards the skin’s surface

Question 5

How does keratin enter cells?

Answer 5

Via Keratinization

Question 6

Where are dead skin cells found?

Answer 6

On the epidermis, the stratum germinativum, hair, and nails

Question 7

Define the Stratum Germinativum and its function(s)?

Answer 7

It’s the layer above the dermis that produces millions of cells. It pushes older cells towards the layer above it: the stratum corneum

Question 8

Define the Stratum Corneum and its function(s)?

Answer 8

It is The visible layer of our skin that contains 30~ layers of dead cells. The corneum is responsible for sloughing (or desquamating) the dead skin cells.

Question 9

Define the Dermis

Answer 9

Lower skin layer that gives skin its stretch and elasticity

Question 10

Where is the dermis located?

Answer 10

Beneath the epidermis, making it the largest portion of the skin

Question 10

What is the dermis composed of?

Answer 10

dense, fibrous connective tissue and collagen/elastin fibers surrounded by a gel-like substance

Question 11

What is found in the Dermis?

Answer 11

Hair, nails, glands, blood vessels that oxygenate the epidermis, nervous tissue and some muscle tissues

Question 12

What is the Subcutaneous Tissue and its function(s)?

Answer 12

It is loose connective/adipose tissue found in the subcutaneous layer that insulates the body from extreme temperatures and anchors skin to underlying structures

Question 13

What is a melanocyte?

Answer 13

A specialized cell responsible for providing our skin with its color. The amount of melanin in the melanocyte, not the amount of melanocytes themselves, is what determines our skin tone.

Question 14

“Loss of hair” is known as:

Answer 14

Alopecia

Question 15

What are the two most common hair loss disorders?

Answer 15

Male pattern baldness and hair loss due to radiation therapy/chemo

Question 16

Define the covered skin disorders and their symptoms

Answer 16

Albinism: a lack of melanin secretions in melanocytes, resulting in stark white bodily hair, skin, and irises
Vitiligo: a loss of pigment in skin areas, resulting in white skin patches (moles and freckles [local over concentration])
Carotene: yellowish tint of the skin
Blood: gives fair-skinned PTs a pinkish tint
Cyanosis: bluish-tint of the skin
Pallor: ashen or pale skin
Ecchymosis: blue or black skin area (bruise)
Bilirubin: skin color changes to a yellowish or orangeish tint resulting from diseases (liver disease)

Question 17

What are sebaceous glands and their function(s)?

Answer 17

They’re an oily gland associated with hair follicles and found on the whole body. They secrete sebum— an oil substance that waterproofs, lubricates, and inhibits bacterial growth of the hair and skin.

Question 18

What are the 2 major exocrine glands?

Answer 18

The sebaceous glands and sweat glands—which secrets sweat into ducts that open into pores

Question 19

How do apocrine glands differ from eccrine glands?

Answer 19

Apocrine glands—hair follicles, found in the axillary and and gential areas; they respond to emotional stress and activate during fear, sexual arousal, or pain

Eccrine gland — more numerous and distributed of the 2, it’s secreted sweat for body temperature regulation. These glands cause profuse perspiration (hot days, exercise) comprised of water and few salts

Question 20

Identify the normal bodily temperature range and how it is maintained

Answer 20

Although some body parts have varying temps, the average temp of 97-100 is maintained by thermoregulation

Question 21

Define heat production and its factors

Answer 21

Thermal energy produced by millions of intercellular chemical reactions, making the basis of body temp dependent on metabolizing cells. The amount of heat produced can be affected by food consumption, amounts/types of secreted hormones; increasing heat can result from exercise.

Question 22

Define hyperthermia and hypothermia

Answer 22

Hypo— excessive decrease in body temperatures
Hyper — excessive increase of body temperature

Question 23

What are the 4 factors of heat loss?

Answer 23

Radiation: heat is lost from an object to the cooler, surrounding air
Conduction: loss of heat from a warm body resulting from contact with cooler object
Convection: loss of heat by air currents moving over the surface
Evaporation: when a liquid becomes a gas

Question 24

What is an arrector pili?

Answer 24

Muscles that cause goosebumps, indicating a sharp decrease in external temperature (nipples)

Question 25

What is non shivering thermogenesis?

Answer 25

Metabolism of brown adipose tissue in neonates that causes heat generation to disperse throughout the body

Question 26

Classify the Burns category

Answer 26

1st degree: superficial, red, painful, slightly swollen
2nd degree: epidermal & dermal damage, redness, pain, swelling, blisters and possibly tan/white skin
3rd degree burns (or full thickness burns): epidermis and dermis destroyed, painless due to nerve destruction, under layers of skin destroyed, and may appear black, brown, deep/cherry red, tan, or white.
4th degree: epidermis, dermis, and fat layers are destroyed, possible exposure of muscles or bone, Eschar is present and may need to be removed for promotion of breathing and blood flow

Question 27

Explain what happens to geriatrics and their skin as they age and the prevention techniques it includes

Answer 27

Older skin loses elasticity, moisture, becomes slower to heal, and thinner. To combat the fragility of the skin, avoid excessive use of soap, promote hydration of water, and main the skin’s acids surface to avoid bacterial growth

Question 28

What are the 4 cells related to the epidermis?

Answer 28

Langerhans, kerotinocytes, merkle cells, and melanocytes