INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Name: CASTUERA, Johanna Venn Q. Year, Course, and Section: BSN 1 -9
Basic Structure of the Skin
Complete the following statements by writing the appropriate word or phrase on the correspondingly
numbered blank:
A. The two basic tissues of which the skin is composed are dense connective tissue, which makes up
the dermis, and 1, which forms the epidermis. Most cells of the epidermis are 2. The protein 3
makes the dermis tough and able to retain water. The specialized cells that produce the pigments
that contribute to skin color are called 4.
1. Stratified squamous epithelium
2. Dead
3. Collagen
4. Melanocytes
B. Name four protective functions of the skin:
1. Prevents desiccation
2. protects against thermal damage
3. prevents bacterial invasion, and
4. protects against UV radiation
C. Using the key choices, choose all responses that apply to the following descriptions. (Some
numbers may contain more than one answer. Some choices may be used more than once.)
Key: Stratum basale Stratum lucidum Reticular layer
Stratum corneum Stratum spinosum Epidermis (as a whole)
Stratum granulosum Papillary layer Dermis (as a whole)
Stratum granulosum 1. layer containing sacs filled with fatty material or keratin subunits
Stratum corneum 2. dead cells
Papillary layer 3. the more superficial dermis layer
Epidermis 4. avascular region
Dermis 5. major skin area where derivatives (nails and hair) are located
Stratum basale 6. epidermal region exhibiting the most mitoses
Stratum corneum 7. most superficial epidermal layer
Dermis 8. has abundant elastic and collagenic fibers
Stratum basale 9. region where melanocytes are most likely to be found
Stratum corneum 10. accounts for most of the epidermis
D. Label the skin structures and areas indicated in the accompanying diagram of skin.
Corneum Granulosum Spinosum
Basale
Epidermis
Dermal papillae Hair root Sebaceous gland Hair fo
Arrector pili muscle
Reticular layer Sweat gland
Dermis Blood vessel Hair bulb
Nerve fiber
Adipose cells
Subcutaneous tissue or Hypodermis
Pacinian corpuscle
E. What substance is manufactured in the skin (but is not a secretion) to play a role in calcium
absorption elsewhere in the body?
- Vitamin D
F. Some injections hurt more than others. Based on what you have learned about skin structure, can
you determine why this is so?
- Some areas of the skin have greater or lesser amount of nerve endings to detect pain.
G. Two questions regarding general sensation are posed below. Answer each by placing your
response in the appropriately numbered blanks to the right.
1-2. Which to body areas tested were most sensitive to touch?
- Fingertips and palm
3-4. Which to body areas tested were the lease sensitive to touch?
- Forearm and back of the neck
H. Define adaptation of sensory receptors:
- It is a reduction in sensitivity to a stimulus after constant exposure to it. When the receptor
discharge slows and conscious awareness of the stimulus declines or is lost until some type of
stimulus change occurs.
I. Why is it advantageous to have pain receptors that are sensitive to all vigorous stimuli, whether
heat, cold, or pressure?
- To warn quickly if any type of harm or danger to the body and protects underlying tissues
Pain receptors do not adapt. Why is this important?
- If we were able to adapt to pain, we would not be able to recognize the hazardous conditions that
could cause permanent tissue damage.
J. Imagine yourself without any cutaneous sense organs. Why might this be very dangerous?
- Many external stimuli (heat, cold, pressure) which can threaten homeostasis might go
undetected, and proper protection measures might not be taken.
Appendages of the Skin
K. Using the key choices, respond to the following descriptions. (Some numbers may contain
more than one answer. Some choices may be used more than once.)
Key: Arrector pili muscle Hair follicle Sweat gland - apocrine
Cutaneous receptors Nail Sweat gland - eccrine
Hair Sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands 1. acne is an infection of this
Hair follicle 2. structure that houses a hair
Sweat gland - eccrine 3. more numerous varieties of perspiration gland that produces a secretion
containing water, salts, and vitamin C; activated by rise in temperature
Hair follicle 4. sheath formed of both epithelial and connective tissues
Sweat gland - apocrine 5. type of perspiration-producing gland that produces a secretion containing
proteins and fats in addition to water and salts
Hair follicle 6. found everywhere on body except palms of hands and soles of feet
Hair and nail 7. primarily dead/keratinized cells
Arrector pili muscle 8. specialized nerve endings that respond to temperature, touch, etc.
Sebaceous glands 9. secretion contains cell fragments
Nail 10. “sports” a lunule and a cuticle
L. How does the skin help to regulate body temperature? (Describe two different mechanisms.)
- Blood vessels in the skin help release or hold thermal energy. Sweat glands in the dermis help
regulate body temperature and excrete wastes. When blood vessels dilate, pores open in the skin
that led to the sweat glands. Perspiration moves out onto the skin.
M. Several structures or skin regions are lettered in the photomicrograph below. Identify each
by matching its letter with the appropriate term that follows.
F. - adipose cells B. - hair follicle
E. - dermis D. - hair shaft
A. - epidermis C. - sloughing stratum corneum cells
Plotting the Distribution of Sweat Glands
N. Which skin area—the forearm or palm of hand—has more sweat glands?
- the palm of hand
Which other body parts have a high density of sweat glands?
- Armpits and the forehead
O. What organ system controls the activity of the eccrine sweat glands?
- Nervous system
Marieb, E.N., Jackson, P.B. 2018. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology Laboratory Manual. Seventh Edition
