Anatomy and Physiology Core Concept Cheat Sheet

05: The Integumentary System

General
The integumentary system consists of the skin and its accessory structures-hair, nails, glands, muscles, and nerves. The skin is the largest organ of the body in surface area and weight. The principal parts of the skin are the epidermis (superficial) and dermis (deep). The subcutaneous layer (hypodermis) is deep to the dermis and not part of the skin. It anchors the dermis to underlying tissues and organs. Epidermal ridges provide the basis for fingerprints and footprints.

Dermal Layer
The dermis consists of papillary & reticular regions. The papillary region is composed of areolar connective tissue containing fine elastic fibers, dermal papillae, and Meissner corpuscles. The reticular region is composed of dense irregular connective tissue containing interlaced collagen and coarse elastic fibers, adipose tissue, hair follicles, nerves, sebaceous (oil) glands, & ducts of sudoriferous (sweat) glands.

Epidermal Layer
The types of cells in the epidermis are: KeratinocytesMelanocytesLangerhans cellsMerkel cellsThe epidermal layers, from deep to superficial, are: stratum corneum stratum lucidum (in thick skin only) stratum granulosum stratum spinosum stratum basale

Papillary

Reticular

Accessory Structures
Hair consists of a shaft (most of which is superficial to the surface), a root that penetrates the dermis, & a hair follicle. Associated with each hair follicle is a sebaceous (oil) gland, an arrector pili muscle, and a hair root plexus. New hairs develop from division of matrix cells in the bulb Skin glands Sebaceous (oil) glands: -usually connected to hair follicles; -absent in the palms and soles; -produce sebum, which moistens hairs & waterproofs the skin Two types of sudoriferous (sweat) glands: Eccrine sweat glands have an extensive distribution; their ducts terminate at pores at the surface of the epidermis. Apocrine sweat glands are limited to the skin of the axilla, groin, and areolae; their ducts open into hair follicles. They begin functioning at puberty and are stimulated during emotional stress and sexual excitement. Mammary glands are specialized sudoriferous glands that secrete milk. Ceruminous glands are modified sudoriferous glands that secrete cerumen. They are found in the ear canal. Nails are hard, keratinized epidermal cells over the dorsal surfaces of the fingers and toes. The principal parts of a nail are the nail body, free edge, nail root, lunula, eponychium, & matrix. Cell division of the matrix cells produces new nails.

Functions & Wound Healing

Epidermal wounds are repaired by enlargement and migration of basal cells, contact inhibition, and division of migrating and stationary basal cells. Deep Wound Healing: the inflammatory phase: a blood clot forms, epithelial cells migrate to the wound, increased blood flow enhances delivery of phagocytes, & mesenchymal cells develop into fibroblasts. the migratory phase: fibroblasts migrate & begin synthesizing collagen fibers and glycoproteins. the proliferative phase: there is extensive growth of epithelial cells. the maturation phase: the scab sloughs off, the epidermis is restored to normal thickness, collagen fibers become more organized, fibroblasts begin to disappear, & blood vessels are restored to normal. Skin functions include body temperature regulation, protection, sensation, excretion and absorption, & synthesis of vitamin D. The skin provides physical, chemical, and biological barriers that help protect the body. Cutaneous sensations include tactile sensations, thermal sensations, & pain.

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