Terms of the Integumentary System

Question 1

skin

Answer 1

protective outer layer covering the external surfaces of the body

Question 2

sebaceous glands

Answer 2

openings in the skin that secrete sebum that lubricates the skin and stops bacteria growth

Question 3

sweat glands

Answer 3

small glands in the skin that produce sweat which helps regulate body temperature and moisten the skin

Question 4

epidermis

Answer 4

the most superficial layer of the skin that provides the first barrier of protection from the invasion of substances into the body

Question 5

epithelial tissue

Answer 5

forms a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body

Question 6

squamous epithelial tissue

Answer 6

forms the upper layer of the epidermis

Question 7

basal layer

Answer 7

lowest layer of the epidermis, produces new cells and then pushes them upward

Question 8

keratin

Answer 8

fibrous, water-repellant protein found in the epidermis, hair and nails

Question 9

melanocytes

Answer 9

special cells found in the basal cell layer that produce and contain melanin

Question 10

melanin

Answer 10

the pigment that determines the color of the skin, it also produces spots of color such as freckles and age spots

Question 11

dermis

Answer 11

thick later of living tissue directly below the epidermis. contains connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels amd nerve fibers

Question 12

sensory nerve endings

Answer 12

sensory receptors for stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure

Question 13

collagen

Answer 13

tough yet flexible fibrous protein material found in the skin and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

Question 14

mast cells

Answer 14

found in the connective tissue of the dermis, respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances including heparin and histamine

Question 15

heparin

Answer 15

an anticoagulant released in the blood in response to an injury, can also be given in an IV or through other medication

Question 16

histamine

Answer 16

released in the blood in response to an allergen, causes the signs of an allergic reaction such as itching and increased mucus secretion

Question 17

subcutaneous layer

Answer 17

deepest layer of tissue in the skin. has many functions including keeping your body warm, protecting the body from harm, and storing energy

Question 18

lipocytes

Answer 18

also known as fat cells, they are cells primarily composed of adipose tissue that specialize in storing energy as fat

Question 19

pores

Answer 19

openings on the surface of the skin that act as the ducts of the sweat glands

Question 20

mammary gland

Answer 20

modified sweat glands that produce milk

Question 21

hair

Answer 21

rod like structures composed of tightly fused dead orotein cells filled with keratin

Question 22

hair follicles

Answer 22

sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers, the shape of the sac determines whether the hair is curly or straight

Question 23

arrector pilli

Answer 23

muscle fibers attached to the hair follicles to help the hair stand erect

Question 24

unguis

Answer 24

also known as fingernail or toenail, keratin plate that protects the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe

Question 25

lunula

Answer 25

pale half-moon shaped region at every nail root, the area where new keratin cells form

Question 26

cuticle

Answer 26

narrow band of epidermis attached to the surface of the nail in front of the root protects the new keratin cells as they form

Question 27

nail root

Answer 27

fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin

Question 28

dermatologist

Answer 28

physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

Question 29

plastic surgeon

Answer 29

physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures