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Anatomy and Physiology Exam > Intergumentary System > Flashcards

Intergumentary System Flashcards

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1
Q

What are the three layers of the skin?

A

Epidermis ( outer)
Dermis
Subcutaenous tissue

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2
Q

What layer of the skin is the epidermis?

A

The most superifical

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3
Q

What is the epithelial layer composed of?

A

Keratanised squamous epithelial tissue

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4
Q

How many distinct cell layers form the epidermis?

A

Four or five

In most regions of the body the epidermis is 0.1mm thick and has four layers.
Areas most subjected to friction ( palms and soles) contain five layers and are typically thicker ( 1-2mm)

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5
Q

What is the predominant type of epidermal cell?

A

Keratinocytes ( 90% of epidermal cells)

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6
Q

What do keratinocytes do?

A

Large number in epidermis

Produce the protein keratin

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7
Q

What does the protein keratin do?

A

Helps waterproof and protect the skin fro its external environment.

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8
Q

What is the dermis?

A

The second main part of the skin

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9
Q

What is the dermis composed of?

A

Connective tissue containing collagen and elastin fibres.

Blood vessels, nerves, glands and hair follicles are all embedded in the dermis.

Relatively thick in the palms and soles and is much thinner in areas such as the eyelids and scrotum.

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10
Q

What is the third layer of skin?

A

The subcutaneous tissue

FUNCTION: provides structural support for the dermis and epidermis.
Also contains the major blood vessels that supply the skin and underlying adipose tissue.
Also contains pacian corpsucles

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11
Q

Where are pacinian corpuscles found?

A

In the subcutaneous layer

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12
Q

What do pacinian corpuscles do?

A

They are sensitive to pressure and numerous nerve endings sensitive to temperature.

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13
Q

Where is adipose tissue found in relation to skin structure?

A

In the subcutaenous layer.

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14
Q

What is the function of adipose tissue in the skin?

A

insulation, conserves heat and prevents heat gain from the external environment.

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15
Q

What is the arector pili muscle?

A

A smooth muscle that contracts under stress or when the body is exposed to cold, pulling hairs into a vertical position ( piloerection).

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16
Q

What are the two types of gland present in the skin?

A

Sweat ( exocrine) and sebaceous ( oil and sebum)

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17
Q

What is a sebaceous gland?

A

One of two types of gland in the skin.

Ductless- open directly onto the surface of the skin at specific locations ( such as hair follicles)
Absent- in the palms and soles.
Vary in size and shape depending on their location.
FUNCTION: produce a mixture of oil and sebum ( cell debris) which
1) prevent excess water evaporation from the skin.
2) Also helps to maintain the soft and pliable texture of the skin and hair
3) Acts to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria.

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18
Q

What is a sweat gland?

A

Exocrine gland.
Widely distributed
Eccrine and apocrine glands

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19
Q

What are the two types of sweat gland?

A

Eccrine and apocrine

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20
Q

What do eccrine glands do?

A

Regulate body temperature through the production of sweat

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21
Q

What do apocrine glands do?

A

Produce sweat during periods of emotional upset, fright or pain.

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22
Q

What is a hair bulb?

A

Found at the base of each hair follicle
Contains the hair papilla which contains blood vessels which supply the growing hair.
Also contains a ring of matrix cells that stimulate growth of existing hairs.

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23
Q

What is a hair follicle?

A

A structure composed of an internal and external root sheath.
The external sheath is a downward continuation of the epidermis.
The internal sheath forms a tubular structure that lines the hair follicle.

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24
Q

What is the hair shaft?

A

Comprised of columns of dead keratnised cells.
Comes from actively growing epidermal cells located within the hair follicle.
As these epidermal cells grow and divide, older cells are pushed towards the surface.

The shaft is the superficial portion of hair which projects from the surface of the skin and hair is distributed throughout the body.

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25
What is the main function of hair?
Protection of sensitive structures of the body.
26
True or False | Does the dermis act as a blood reservoir?
True The dermis contains an extensive network of blood vessels that carry approx 15% of the total blood flow in a resting adult. During moderate exercise, the blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow and hence promoting heat loss through the skin surface.
27
What does sweat remove from the body?
Water, heat and small quantity of ions and several organic compounds such as urea and lactic acid.
28
What does the subcutaneous layer of the skin consist of?
Loose connective ( areolar) and adipose tissue. The collagenous and elastic fibres of this layer are continous with those of the dermis and run parallel to the surface of the skin, extending in all directions. As a result of this layout, no definitive boundary exists between the dermis and subcutaneous layers.
29
Where are melanocytes found?
Stratum basale of the epidermis.
30
What do melanocytes do?
Produce the pigement melanin They possess slender projections called dendrites that transfer melanin to keratinocytes.
31
How many layers is the dermis composed of?
Two | The superficial papillary region and a deeper reticular region.
32
What is the paillary region ( top) layer of the dermis made of?
Areolar connective tissue
33
What is the reticular (deeper) region in the dermis composed of?
dense, irregular connective tissue.
34
What are Merkel cells and where are they gound?
Epidermis. They are attached to keratinocytes in the stratum basale of hairless skin. Involved in touch. Merkel cells make contact with the flattened end of sensory neurones and initiate the sensation of touch.
35
What is the process of epidermal cell development called?
Keratinisation.
36
What happens during keratinisation? (epidermal cell development)
Cells formed in the stratum basale undergo a developmental and maturation process as they are pushed towards the surface. During this process they accumulate keratin while loosing cytoplasm and cellular organelles. These keratnised cells eventually slough off the skin and are replaced by underlying cells which also undergo keratinisation. Process takes approx 28 days.
37
How long does epidermal cell development ( keratinisation) take?
28 days
38
How are epidermal cells removed at the end of their development?
Sloughing
39
What cells of the epidermis are important components of the immune system?
Langerhan cells arise in the bone marrow and migrate to the epidermis where they interact with T-helper lymphocytes.
40
What is the elasticity of the skin due to?
The combination of collagen and elastic fibres deep in the dermis.
41
What conditions demonstrate the stretching of the skin?
Pregnancy, obesity or oedema
42
What are striae?
Stretch marks. They occur during extreme stretching. Often observed in previously obese individuals or pregnancy.
43
What are pacinian corpuscles?
Sensitive to pressure Subcutaenous layer
44
Where are temperature sensitive nerve endings found?
Cold sensitive- dermis Heat sensitive- intermediate and superficial dermis.
45
How many stages does deep wound healing have?
Four
46
What is a deep wound?
A skin injury that extends into the dermis
47
What are the four stages of wound healing?
Inflammation, migration, proliferation maturation
48
Thermoregulation is controlled by positive or negative feedback mechanisms?
Negative feedback mechanisms. Ensures that the core and surface body temperature remain relatively constant ( despite large fluctuations in environmental temperatures).
49
Which cells produce the pigment that contributes to hair colour?
Melanocytes
50
How is hair colour determined?
By melanin, which is produced by melanocytes in the bulb matrix. Actual colour is determined by genes. Dark hair has more pure melanin.
51
Which three pigments determine skin colour?
1) melanin 2) carotene 3) haemoglobin
52
What is carotene?
An orange pigment and a precursor of vitamin A. | Found in the stratum corneum, adipose tissue, dermis and subcutaneous layers.
53
Does melanin vary in colour?
Yes, From pale yellow to black.
54
What do sebaceous glands produce?
Oil ( sebum) These oils are necessary to maintain skin and hair.
55
Which glands produce sweat?
Apocrine and eccrine glands.
56
What do mammary glands produce?
Milk
57
What do ceruminous glands produce?
A waxy substance that, when combined with sebaceous gland secretions makes ear wax. Ear wax helps protect the external auditory canal from foreign bodies.
58
What are the glands of the skin?
1) sebaceous ( sebum) 2) appocrine and eccrine ( sweat) 3) ceruminous glands ( ear wax) 4) Mammary glands (milk)
59
What are accessory skin components?
Nail Hair Mammary glands
60
What does subcutaneous tissue connect?
Underlying bone and muscle with the dermis
61
What are nails composed of?
Tightly packed epidermal keratinocytes
62
Which tissue region do nails originate from?
Nail matrix ( ned)
63
What is the lunula of the nail?
The visible part of the nail ( half moon) It appears white because the vascular tissue underneath is not visible.
64
What are the lines of cleavage?
The lines of cleavage indicate the direction of collagen fibre bundles in the dermis and are considered during surgery.
65
What are epidermal ridges?
Form during foetal development. Found on the superficial surface of palms, fingers, soles and toles. These are genetically unique to each individual.
66
What are zones of hyperaemia
These relate to thermal burns and describe areas of skin that have been least damaged on exposure to heat. They are characterised by increased blood flow in the surrounding area.
67
What is the water proof coating found in epidermal cells called?
Keratin Keratinocytes within the epidermis produce the waterproof protein keratin.
68
What is myelin?
A lipoprotein formed around axons ( myelin sheath)
69
``` Which of the following can pass most easily through the epidermis? proteins lipid soluble molecules water soluble compounds salts ```
Lipid soluble substances Since the permeability barrier surrounding epidermal cells is composed mainly of lipids, substances which are lipid soluble will easily pass through the barrier. This property is exploited in the administration of some medicines.
70
Why do water soluble compounds have more difficulty diffusing across the skin and into the body?
Because the lipid barrier of the skin prevents water loss from the body.
71
What can be found in sweat?
water salt urea
72
How is calcium excreted from the body?
Urine and faeces.
73
Where in the skin do blood vessels and sensory nerve endings reside?
Epidermis
74
Where are sebaceous (oil) glands found?
Dermis and are connected to hair follicles
75
Where can the secretory glands be found in the skin?
Parts are in the dermis but their secretory ducts open into the epidermis.
76
In which layer is a layer of dead cells?
Stratum Corneum
77
In which layer are translucent cells, containing keratin?
stratum lucidum ( lucid)
78
What is the deep region of the dermis called?
Reticular layer of the dermis
79
In which layer s the origin of many accessory structures?
Dermis
80
Where is the site of Meissner's Corpuscles?
Papillary layer of the dermis
81
What layer is the main superficial region of the skin?
Epidermis
82
What are melanocytes?
Cells involved in melanin formation
83
In which region of the epidermis does rapid cell division occur?
Stratum basale
84
What is another name for the skin?
Integument
85
What are the functions of the skin?
``` Maintenance and regulation of body temperature Protection Sensation Excretion Immunity ```
86
What factors affect the appearance and health of the skin?
``` Nutrition Age hygiene circulation genetic traits immune status ``` Enviornmental stress, psychological trauma and drug use may also alter its appearance Because of it's visibility the skin often reflects our state of emotion, along with aspects of normal physiology.
87
What is the largest organ of the body?
The skin
88
What is skin vulnerable to and why?
Due to it's exterior location. Vulnerable to damage from trauma, UV light, microbes and environmental chemicals.
89
How is scar tissue formed?
When severely damaged skin tries to heal

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