Tags & Description
skin is the body’s
largest organ (~20 lbs)
dermatology
the study of the integument (skin)
the integumentary system is made up of
integument (skin)
accessory organs (hair, nails, cutaneous glands)
this system is the most
noticeable organ system and it can also show symptoms from various diseases of other organ systems
skin
largest/heaviest organ
made up of two parts:
------epidermis (epithelium) & dermis (L areolar CT; D irregular CT)
the hypodermis is not part of the skin but it is made of
areolar CT and adipose tissue
regions of predominately adipose tissue which are subcutaneous fat
skin is classified as thick or thin based on the
thickness of the epidermis alone
thick skin
found on palms, soles, and corresponding surfaces on fingers and toes
lacks hair follicles and sebaceous glands but has sweat glands
thin skin
covers everything of the body that the thick skin doesn’t cover
contains hair follicles, sweat, and sebaceous glands
functions of the skin
contains the body
resists trauma and infection
serves as a barrier to water loss/gain, UV radiation, and certain chemicals
vitamin D synthesis
sensation
thermoregulation
nonverbal communication
resist trauma and infection
keratin, abundant desmosomes, and a dry slightly acid mantle surface (pH 4-6)
also certain defensive molecules are present (dermicidin and defensins)
sensation
nerves not uniform in distribution
more abundant in face, palms, fingers, soles, nipples, and genitalia
multiple sensations originate from receptors in the skin
hot, cold, touch, texture, pressure, vibration, pain
thermoregulation
via cutaneous vasoconstriction and vasodilation
keratinized epithelium
found in epidermis and covered with a layer of dead compressed cells (keratinocytes)
nonkeratinized epithelium
lacks the dead layer of cells (keratinocytes)
a closer look at epidermis
lacks blood vessels and relies on diffusion of nutrients from underlying CT (dermis)
some nerve endings for touch and pain
many cell types present
stem cells - unipotent
keratinocytes
melanocytes
tactile cells
dendritic cells
stratum basale (deepest layer)
simple cuboidal/columnar stem cells, melanocytes, keratinocytes
stratum spinosum
layers of keratinocytes; deep cells make more keratinocytes through mitosis---superficial cells make keratin
stratum granulosum
3-5 layers of keratinocytes, flat layers, and organelles are deteriorating
stratum lucidum
only in thick skin; keratinocytes have no organelles; cells are packed together with eleidin (protein)
stratum corneum
made of dead cells (up to 30 layers) that are highly keratinized
resists abrasion, penetration, and water loss
stem cells - epidermis
undifferentiated cells that give rise to keratinocytes in the stratum basal
keratinocytes - epidermis
major cell; responsible for making keratin
melanocytes - epidermis
make melanin; cells remain in the stratum basale
packages of melanin (melanosomes) are exocytosed and absorbed by nearby keratinocytes
melanin protects the nucleus of the keratinocyte from UV radiation
tactile cells - epidermis
involved in sensation of touch; tactile discs include the cell and associated nerve endings
dendritic cells - epidermis
immune cells that have migrated to the stratum spinosum or stratum granulosum
life history of keratinocytes in stratum basal
begins with differentiation from stem cells
(process can be sped up/intensified by constant abrasion leading to a production of a thicker epidermis- callus or corn)
pushed towards the surface and the cells of the stratum spinosum rarely divide; rather accumulate as pre-keratin molecules
life history of keratinocyte in stratum granulosum
keratinocytes flatten and increase keratin (protection) and lipid production
cell surface is waterproofed by releasing lipid mixture
cells die
in conjunction with tight junctions, an epidermal water barrier is created
life history of keratinocyte in stratum corneum
sloughed off as dander through exfoliation
dandruff is clumps of dander held together by sebum
dermis
made primarily of collagen but has elastic and reticular fibers along with cells typical of CT
HIGHLY vascular
contains many cutaneous glands and nerve endings
LOCATION NOT ORIGIN of hair follicles and nail roots
papillary region of the dermis
superficial; areolar CT
conspicuous dermal papilla and epidermal ridges
produces friction ridges that lead to finger prints
exceptionally tall dermal papillae in highly sensitive areas to allow nerve endings to reach closer to the surface
reticular layer of dermis
deep; dense irregular CT
striae (stretch marks) occur because of fibrosis occurring in this region
three pigments contribute to skin color
melanin (melanocytes)-----only pigment made in skin
carotene (stratum corneum)---------------------from plant products, accumulates in corneum and fatty deposits of the hypothermis, converts to vitamin A; good for epidermal health
hemoglobin (blood vessels)------ pinkish color; more evident in lighter skin
pheomelanin
reddish yellow
eumelanin
brownish black
melanin
produced in melanocytes
color difference of skin is due to the amount and form of melanin ------lighter skin = larger clumps & dark skin = smaller clumps
melanin migrates to keratinocytes to form “pigment shields” for nuclei (UV protection)
freckles and pigmented moles are accumulations of melanin
cyanosis
blue skin color- low oxygenation of hemoglobin
erythema (redness)
fever, hypertension, inflammation, allergy
pallor (blanching)
anemia, low blood pressure, fear, anger
jaundice (yellow cast)
liver disorder
hematoma (bruises)
clotted blood beneath the skin
albinism
genetic mutation disorder
melanocytes don’t make melanin
skin is pink, hair white, irises unpigmented
friction ridges
fingertips, soles of feet
enhance sense of touch and grip
flexion lines (flexion creases)
dermal folds at/near joints
dermis tightly secured to deeper structures
hemangiomas (birthmarks)
benign tumors of the capillaries
capillary hemangiomas or cavernous hemangiomas-- present at or soon after birth, often disappear with age
port-wine stain-- flat, pinkish to dark color in color; remain for life
accessory organs of the integumentary system
hair, nails, and cutaneous glands
hair and nails- made primarily of dead, keratinized epidermal cells (hard keratin)
hair (pili)
all over the body except palms, soles, nipples, and parts of the external genitalia
functions of hair (pili)
sensation of insects and parasites on the skin
head hair helps retain heat, protect the scalp from UV radiation
beard and axillary and pubic hair signify sexual maturity and may aid in transmission of sexual scents
guard hairs (vibrissae) protect the eyes, nasal cavity, and ears from debris
eyebrows may protect eyes from sweat and is also important in facial expressions
lanugo (no pigment)
fine hairs on the fetus during last trimester
vellus (some pigment)
replaces lanugo hair; remains dominant on women and makes up 2/3 of their body hair, 1/10 on men, and all the hair on children except for the terminal hair
terminal hair (heavily pigmented)
makes up the hair on the scalp, eyebrows, and eyelashes; after puberty it makes up the hair of the axilla, pubic region, male facial hair, some of the hair on trunk and limbs
hair shaft
sticks out from skin
hair root
part of the hair in the follicle
layer of keratinized cell- cuticle
heavily keratinized; arranged like overlapping shingles
layer of keratinized cell-cortex
hard keratin with injected melanin, flattened
layer of keratinized cell-medulla
large cells and air spaces
what is the follicle?
a tube of epidermial (epithelial) in the dermis
hair bulge
contains stem cells for follicle growth and capillaries for blood supply
hair receptors
nerve fibers that detect hair movement
pilorector muscles
AKA arrector pili or pilomotor muscles
-smooth muscle to raise hairs. (goosebumps)
-hair matrix---- mitotically active cells- hair growth
cross sectional hair shapes
straight = round
wavy = oval
curled = flat
hair color due to pigment
brown/black = rich in eumelanin
red= rich in pheomelanin, some eumelanin
blond= little eumelanin and some phemomelanin
gray= little melanin; airspace in the medulla
alopecia
-thinning of the hair
influenced by nutritional and other health factors
pattern baldness
-genetic and hormonal
in males = dominant trait influenced by testosterone
in females = recessive trait influenced by testosterone
hirsutism
-undesireable hair growth (especially in women and children)
influenced by abnormal testosterone levels and genetics
nails
hardened derivative of the stratum corneum
made of thin, dead keratinocytes with parallel-arranged hard keratin fibers
changes in nail appearance can indicate
yellowing nails---respiratory or thyroid gland disorders
concavity of nail (spoon nail)---- iron deficiency
horizontal lines (beau’s lines)----malnutrition
free edge
extends beyond distal edge of fingertip
nail body
visible attached portion
nail root
proximal edge of nail embedded in skin
nail bed
epidermal layers deep to nail body
nail matrix
thickened proximal portion of nail bed --- makes the nail cells which become keratinized as the nail body grows distally
sudoriferous (sweat) glands
apocrine sweat glands (also merocrine)
merocrine (eccrine) sweat glands
sebaceous glands
oil glands; secrete sebum; utilize holocrine secretion method; important for normal hair and skin health
ceruminous glands
only in external ear; secretions combine with sebum to make ear wax (cerumen); important to keep eardrum pliable; waterproof canal; kill bacteria; block foreign particles
mammary glands
secrete breast milk
apocrine sweat glands
confined to axillary (armpit), areolar (nipple), and genital areas: beards of adult males
secretions (INTO hair follicle) contain fatty acids and proteins
secretion is odorless
begin functioning during puberty (androgen influenced)
activated by nerve fibers during pain, stress, and sexual activity
merocrine sweat glands
secrete to skin surface
acidic secretion --- primarily made of water (99%), some NaCl, vitamin C, some waste products (ammonia, urea, uric acid) , lactic acid
creates acid mantle (pH 4-6) = inhibits bacteria
widely distributed on body--- palms, soles, forehead
primarily responsible for cooling the body
evaporative cooling (water has high specific heat- hydrogen bonds)
myoepithelial cells
push perspiration up the duct
insensible perspiration
occurs constantly ~500 mL day
diaphoresis
sweat that is noticeable caused by heat and exercise
acne
Inflammation of sebaceous glands, follicle blocked with keratinocytes and Sebum, develops into a whitehead composed of these and bacteria; more inflammation results in pus (pimple)
dermatitis
Any inflammation of the skin, usually with itching and redness; (e.g. poison ivy/oak)
eczema
Itchy, red, “weeping” skin lesions caused by an allergy, may progress to thickened, leathery, dark patches
psoriasis
Recurring, reddened plaques covered with silvery scale; possibly caused by an autoimmune response; hereditary
rosacea
A rashlike formation, often around nose and cheeks, marked by fine networks of dilated blood vessels; worsened by hot drinks, alcohol, and spicy food.
seborrheic dermatitis
Patches of scaly white or yellowish inflammation often on head, face, chest, back; called crɑdle cɑp
(a yellow, crusty scalp lesion) in infants. Cause unknown, but related to genetic and climatic factors.
tinea
Any fungal infection of the skin; common in moist areas such as the axilla, groin, and foot (ɑthlete’s foot). E.g. ringworm
skin cancer
uncontrolled division of skin cells, most are benign, others are malignant
most important risk factors are exposure to UV radiation and genetics
mole
uniform color, even contour, relatively small
cancer
various color, scalloped border, large and spreading
basal cell carcinoma
least malignant; most common; cells of stratum basale proliferate and invade dermis and subcutaneous layers
squamous cell carcinoma
Cells of stratum spinosum; believed to be sun-induced (head and hands). Not so bad unless – metastasizes to nearby lymph nodes
malignant melanoma
cancer of the melanocytes; accounts for only 5% of skin cancers but is often deadly
Does not respond to chemotherapy
Average lifespan- 6 months
Greatest risk factor is family history
first degree burn
partial thickness burn
epidermis damaged only
second degree
partial thickness burn
blistering occurs (fibrosis possible = scar tissue)
upper regions of dermis damaged
third degree
full thickness burn
epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, and underlying tissue (muscle/bone)
requires skin grafts
no regeneration of skin