A&P

Chapter 5: The Integumentary System

Review and Outline

Vocabulary

Apocrine glands: Glands located mainly in axillary and anogenital areas that secrete sweat in response
to stress and sexual stimulation

Ceruminous gland: Gland in the external ear canal that secretes waxy cerumen

Cutaneous membrane: The skin

Dermis: The layer of skin lying immediately under the epidermis

Eccrine glands: Glands located throughout the body that secrete sweat directly onto the skins surface,
which helps control body temperature

Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin

Hair follicle: A sheath of epidermis surrounding each hair

Hypodermis: Subcutaneous tissue composed mostly of fat lying under the skin

Keratin: A tough fibrous protein that provides structural strength to the hair, skin, and nails

Melanin: Pigment produced by melanocytes that gives color to the hair and skin

Sebaceous gland: Glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum into each hair follicle

Stratum basale: The innermost layer of the epidermis, where new skin cells are germinated

Stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, flattened cells called
keratinocytes

Subcutaneous: Beneath the skin

 Introduction: The most obvious task of the skin is to define the body’s structure. By doing so it
joins forces with the muscular and skeletal systems to build the body’s framework. Other than
this one small role, the skin also separates the internal from external environment, protects the
body from harmful invaders, and helps maintain homeostasis. Changes in the skin can signal
diseases or disorders in other body systems.

 Structure of the Skin: The skin, also called the cutaneous membrane, consists of two layers: the
epidermis and the dermis

-Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin. Consists of stratified squamous epithelial tissue
-Contains NO blood vessels; instead obtains oxygen and nutrients from the dermal layer
beneath it.

-Dermis: The inner, deeper layer of the skin

-Composed of connective tissue
-Contains primarily collagen fibers (give strength)
-But also contains elastin fibers (provide elasticity) and reticular fibers (which bind the collagen
and elastin fibers together)
-Contains blood vessels, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nerve endings
-Hair follicles are also embedded into the dermis
-Finger like projections called papillae extend upward from the dermis

-Hypodermis: Beneath the skin is a layer of subcutaneous tissue called the hypodermis.
-Made of loose connective tissue (areolar) and adipose tissue
-Binds the skin to the underlying tissue
-Hypodermis that’s composed mostly adipose tissue called subcutaneous fat
-Layer of fat helps insulate body and acts as energy reservoir

 Layers of the Epidermis: So the epidermis consists of 4 or 5 layers. The extra layer is in places
with a lot of wear and tear like the soles of the feet. Throughout life that outer layer is being
sloughed off which means that skin must continuously renew itself by replacing the sloughed off
with new cells. Those new cells are created in the lowest level of the epidermis. Then when the
new cells pass through the upward layers, the cells are undergoing changes until they reach the
skins surface. Here’s what happens:

1. The stratum basale or the basal layer also called the stratum germinativum: Is the innermost
layer of the epidermis. It consists of columnar stem cells, these cells are constantly undergoing
mitosis and creating new skin cells. As the new cells are created it pushes the old ones up
towards the skins surface.
2. As the cells are being pushed upward, they stop dividing. When they stop dividing keratin is
produced. The keratin (tough fibrous protein) then replaces the cytoplasm and the nucleus of
the cell. The cell then flattens and as it moves further away it loses blood supply, eventually
killing the cell.
3. The Stratum Corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis. By the time the cells reach this
layer all that is left of the dead cell is the keratin. The newly arrived flattened cells are called
keratinocytes. The stratum corneum consists of up to 30 layers of dead flattened keratin coated
cells. This makes the skins surface durable and resistant to abrasions. This also works as a
protective barrier, preventing water to get in from the outside but still allowing for evaporation.

 Skin Color: Scattered throughout the basal cell of the epidermis are called melanocytes.
These special cells produce melanin, which accumulates in the cells epidermis

-Two Types of Melanin

Pheomelanin: Reddish color
Eumelanin: Brown-Black color
-A person’s skin color is determined by the amount and type of melanin NOT the number of
melanocytes
-The cells in dark-skinned people produce more melanin and the melanin is produced more
1. Melanocytes have long projections which reach in between cells and release melanin
2. The keratinocytes then bring the melanin into their cells
3. Melanin forms a cap over the cell’s nucleus protecting from harmful UV rays
4. Prolonged exposure to the sun, stimulates the cell to secrete more melanin which
protects the nucleus and darkens the skin

-Abnormal Changes in Skin Color

-Cyanosis: Blue tint  Deficiency of oxygen circulating in the blood
-Jaundice: Yellow skin and whites of eyes  Impaired liver function; buildup of bile
-Bronzing: Golden brown skin  Deficiency of hormones in adrenal gland; Addison’s disease
Albinism: Extremely white skin and hair w/ pink eyes  Genetic lack of melanin
Erythema: Abnormal redness  Increased blood flow in dilated blood vessels close to skins
surface; heat, exercise, sunburn, embarrassment
Pallor: Pale skin  Decreased blood flow; cold, fear, stress, low BP, blood loss
Bruise (hematoma): Blue/black/yellow mark on skin  Breakdown of clotted blood under
skin

 Functions of the Skin

-Protection: Prevents microorganisms/chemicals from invading body, secretes residue/film to
block toxins and prevent bacterial/fungal growth, and absorbs force of injuries
-Barrier: Keeps from absorbing access water (swimming/bathing), prevents dehydration from
lost fluid, blocks UV rays from deeper tissues
Vitamin D production: Production of vitamin D when exposed to UV light
Sensory Perception: Sensory nerve fibers allow for perception of temp, touch, pressure, pain &
vibration
Thermoregulation: Nerves cause blood vessels to dilate or constrict to regulate heat loss.
Cold=constrict=reduced blood flow=conserves heat. Hot=dilate=increased blood flow=releases
 heat  if body is still overheated, brain stimulates sweating, as sweat evaporates, cooling
occurs.
 Even though the skin acts as a barrier protecting skin from toxins, it also allows for us to absorb
medication through the skin called transdermal administration. Medication in the form of a gel,
lotion or adhesive patch is placed on the skin and allows to absorb slowly. Ex: Icey hot, antibiotic
ointment, and nicotine patch.

 Appendages of the Skin: Hair, nails, and glands

-Hair: Occurs everywhere on body except for a few locations. The hair has a protective role. Ex:
eyelashes and eyebrows keep perspiration out of the eyes. Hair in nostrils filters out dust. Hair on head
provides insulation against heat and cold

-Shaft: part of hair that extends above skins surface

-Hair follicle: Sheath of epidermis in which the hair lies

-Bulb/Root: Buried in dermis, lowest part of hair where growth occurs

-Papilla: Base of hair that is a cluster of connective tissue and blood vessels; nourishes hair

-Arrector Pili: Small bundle of smooth muscle attached to each hair follicle. Ex: When we have a sense of
fear the muscle contracts causing hair to stand straight up

 Hair Color and Texture

-Hair obtains color from melanin

-The two types of melanin (eumelanin and Pheomelanin) give rise to various shades of hair

-Darker hair: more eumelanin

-Lighter hair: more Pheomelanin

-The shape of the hair shaft determines whether its straight or curly

-Round  Straight

-Oval  Curly

 Hair Growth and Loss

-Hair grows from base (hair bulb)

-New cells causing hair growth arise in an area above the papilla

-Alopecia: Excessive hair loss can result from disease, bad nutrition, stress, but most commonly aging.

-Male pattern baldness: type of hair loss that occurs in ONLY in people who have a specific gene and
high levels of testosterone. (why it typically occurs in men)
  Nails

-Nails consist of densely packed, heavily keratinized epithelial cells

-Cuticle: A fold of skin surrounds the nail body

-Nail body: Visible part of the nail

-Lunula: Crescent or moon shaped area at base of the nail

-Nail bed: Is a layer or epithelium underneath the nail and normally appears pink because of
the rich blood supply in the area

-Nail root: Is the end of the nail which is hidden under tissue. Nails grown when the new
keratinized cells are added to the nail root from the nail matrix. When new cells are added it
pushes the nail forward

 Shape and color of nails can provide clues to underlying disorders

 Abnormal Nail Changes

-Clubbing  Long term lack of oxygen
-Cyanosis  Often first sign of lack of oxygen
-Flattened/concaved nail beds  iron deficiency
-Dark lines under nails  May indicate melanoma in lighter skinned people but can be
normal in darker skinned people
-White nails  Liver diseases such as hepatitis
-Yellowish/Thick/Slow growing  Lung diseases such as emphysema
-Pale nails beds  May be sign of anemia

 Gland
 Sweat Gland: Most numerous of skin glands
-Two types of sweat glands: Eccrine glands and Apocrine glands

-Eccrine glands: Contain a duct that leads from a secretory portion through the dermis,
epidermis, and onto the skins portion. (Twisted coil in the dermis)
- Especially abundant on the palms, soles, forehead and upper torso
-Produce sweat
-Sweat helps the body maintain and constant temperature and helps eliminate wastes

-Apocrine glands: Contain a duct that leads to the hair follicle (opposed to the skins
surface)
-Located mainly in the axillary (armpit) and the anogenital (groin) regions
-Scent glands that respond to stress and sexual stimulation
-Begin function at puberty
-When sweat is produced by these glands there is hardly no odor. Body odor occurs
when there is a buildup of sweat on the skin in which bacteria begins to form
 Sebaceous Glands: Open up into a hair follicle and secrete and oily substance called
sebum.
-Sebum helps the hair from drying out and also has a mild antibacterial and antifungal
effect.
-When excess sebum builds up in the gland ducts pimples and black heads form

 Ceruminous glands: exist in external ear canal, secrete a waxy substance called
cerumen, or ear wax
-Cerumen helps keep the ear from drying out, however too much can harden and
diminish hearing

 Burns: Classifications  1st degree, 2nd degree, and 3rd degree

-1st degree: Partial thickness/superficial
-Only in the epidermis
-Redness, slight swelling, and pain

-2nd degree: Partial thickness/deep

-Epidermis and part of dermis
-Blisters, severe pain, and swelling
-Red, white, or tan

-3rd degree: Full thickness

-Extends all the way through to the subcutaneous layer
-May not be painful at first due to damage of nerve endings
-White, black, or leathery

 Skin Cancer
-Basal cell carcinoma: most common
-Least dangerous
-Arises from stratum basale
-Typically on face or nose

-Squamous cell carcinoma

-Arises from epidermis and is slow growing
-Often occurs on the scalp, forehead, back of hand, top of ear

-Malignant melanoma: most deadly

-Develops from a melanocyte from a preexisting mole
-Metastasizes(spreads) quickly

 Disorders of the integumentary System

-Acne  Inflammation of the sebaceous gland
-Dermatitis  Inflammation of the skin causing itching and redness (poison ivy)
-Eczema  Itchy red rash caused by allergy
 -Impetigo  Contagious bacterial infection of the skin, around the nose, mouth, cheeks
-Psoriasis  A recurring skin disorder
-Tinea  Any fungal infection of the skin, usually in most areas
-Urticaria  Allergic reaction resulting in multiple red patches

Test Your Knowledge: Practice Questions

1. The most superficial layer of the epidermis is the ___________

2. The subcutaneous layer that separates the integument from the deep fascia
around other organs is the___________

3. The secretion that lubricates and inhibits growth of bacteria on the skin is
called___________

4. Excessive exposure of the skin to ultraviolet radiation may cause redness, edema,
blisters, and pain. The presence of blisters classifies the burn as____________

5. Special smooth muscles in the dermis that, when contracted, produce "goose
bumps" are called______________

6. The primary tissues composing the subcutaneous layer are_____________

Answers

1. Stratum Corneum
2. Hypodermis
3. Sebum
4. 2nd degree
5. Arrector pili
6. Areolar and Adipose