Integumentary System Flashcards
Skin facts
What percent of bodyweight
How thick
Body’s largest and heaviest organ
15% of bodyweight
1-2 mm thick
What is the scientific name for skin?
Cutaneous membrane
What lies beneath the dermis?
Subcutaneous membrane
(Hypodermis)
6 skin functions
Resistance to trauma and infection
Other barrier functions
Vitamin D synthesis
Sensation
Thermoregulation
Non-verbal communication
Epidermis
Structure, unique properties
Densely-packed keritanized, stratified squamous epithelium
Dead cells at the surface packed with tough keratin protein
Avascular
Contains sparse nerve endings
Highly mitotic: fastest reproducing cells in the body
Epidermis
4-5 Strata (superficial to deep)
Stratum corneum
Stratum lucidum (only in thick skin)
Stratum granulosum
Stratum spinosum
Stratum basale
Stratum corneum
Dead keratinocytes and keratin
Resistant to abrasion, penetration and water loss
Stratum lucidum
Only found in thick skin
Contains keratinocytes packed with eladin (clear protein)
Stratum granulosum
3-4 layers of keratinocytes
Keratin production!
Keratin combines with lipids to create waterproof barrier for skin
Keratinocytes begin to die here - lack oxygen needed for metabolism
Stratum spinosum
Thickest layer (except in thick skin)
Keratinocytes begin to flatten out
Dendritic cells
Dendritic cells
Type of white blood cell (macrophage) patrols the skin looking for invading organisms and material but more scout than destroyer
Stratum basale
Structure, types of cells, function
Single layer of cells appearing cuboidal at first, become stratified squamous as they move through strata
Mitotic stem cells
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Tactile cells
Site for new skin cell production
Mitotic stem cells
Divide to become keratinocytes
Keratinocytes
Basic skin cells layered throughout the strata to form protective thickness of skin
Melanocytes
Produce melanin which absorbs UV light and prevents it from going deeper.
All bodies have same number of melanocytes, they produce diff amounts of melanin
Tactile cells
Attached to neurons in underlying dermis, allow for sensation
Dermal papillae
Form the distinct line between the dermis and epidermis
Under the epidermal ridges like legos locking in place
Dermis
Name the 2 layers
Papillary layer
Reticular layer
Dermis
Papillary layer
Thin layer near dermal papillae
Consists of areolar connective tissue (abundant blood vessels)
Dermis
Reticular layer
dense irregular connective tissue
Hypodermis (subcutaneous membrane)
Functins
Structure
Binds skin to underlying tissue and structures
Has more areolar and adipose tissue than dermis
Highly vascular (provides thermoregulation)
Provides cushion
Hair structure
General, then superficial to deep
Follicle - entire hollow tube around hair
Bulb - base of hair, only part that contains living hair cells
Root - remaining part of follicle under skin’s surface
Shaft - Exposed on skin’s surface
Nail
Extension of what?
Stratum corneum
Nail
Structure
Dead keratinocytes densely packed with parallel, hard keratin fibers