Chapter 5 Integumentary System

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Learning Outcomes:
1. List and explain the functions of the integumentary system.
2. List and describe the strata of the epidermis.
3. Describe the changes that occur in keratinocytes as they move from the
stratum basale to the stratum corneum.
4. Compare the structure and location of thick skin and thin skin.
5. How do melanin, carotene, and blood affect skin color?
6. Name and compare the two layers of the dermis.
7. Describe the tissue and functions of the subcutaneous tissue.
8. Distinguish between vellus and terminal hair.
9. List the common glands of the skin and the secretions of each.
10. Explain how skin helps regulate body temperature.
11. Describe the role of the skin in calcium ion level regulation.
12. List and describe the 3 common types of skin cancer.
Integument:

covering the body

considered one organ or an organ system

Two components of the integument:

cutaneous membrane: skin

associated hairs, nails, glands

I. Cutaneous Membrane: skin

epidermis:

most superficial layer of skin

consists of epithelial tissue

stratified squamous

avascualr

resists abrasion on the skins surface and reduces water loss through skin

dermis:

underlying fibrous connective tissue

vascular

responsible for most of the structural strength of the skin

A. Functions of the skin

protection

excretion

maintain normal body temp

synthesis of vit D

sensory

storage
Epidermis:

B.

composed of stratified squamous epithelia; therefore, affords mechanical protection

(abrasion)

basal cells are cuboidal and flatten toward the surface

contains no blood vessels

nourished by diffusion from capillaries of the dermis

types of cells in epidermis

keratinocytes:

most abundant type of cell

give the epidermis its ability to resist abrasion and reduce water loss

epidermal cell that produces keratin

keratin: a protein mixture which makes cells more durable

melanocytes:
contribute to skin color
produce melanin
found mainly in stratum basale

langerhans cells:
Dendritic cell found in skin
part of the immune system

merkel cells:
specialized epidermal cells associated with nerve endings responsible for detecting light
touch and superficial pressure

consists of 4-5 layers called strata: thin skin has 4 and thick skin (soles and
palms) has 5
Thick Skin:

has all five epithelial strata

stratum corneum has many layers of cells

found in areas subject to friction such as soles and palms

Thin Skin:

more flexible than thick skin

each strata has fewer layers than thick skin

stratum lucidum generally absent

hair only found in thin skin

a. stratum basale (germinativum)

innermost layer, attached to the basement membrane

form epidermal ridges that interdigitate with dermis (increases SA)

dominant cell type is basal cells (stem cells): divide to produce cells that move into the
upper layers

divide and give rise to two daughter cells: 1 basal cell and 1 differentiated

other cell types include sensory cells (Merkel cells) and melanocytes (produce melanin)

b. Statum spinosum

composed of keratinocytes held together by desmosomes

include special cells for defense (Langerhan cells)

c. Statum granulosum

cells no longer divide

lose nucleus and organelles

accumulate keratinohyaline granules and lamellated granules

waterproofing material->provides durability

Lamellated granules:

Keratinohyline: nonmembrane bound protein granule in the cytoplasm of stratum

granulosum cells of the epidermis

d. Stratum lucidum

clear layer

only found in thick skin (soles and palms)

composed mainly of dead keratinocytes

e. Stratum corneum

superficial layer of 20-30 cell layers

cells filled with keratin and surrounded by waterproofing material

dead cells still held together by desmosomes

C. Skin Color: result of the interaction between pigments and dermal blood supply
1. Pigment:

a. carotene:

orange-yellow pigment

accumulate in epidermal cells and fatty tissue of the dermis

converted to vit A: important for maintenance of epithelia and synthesis of photoreceptors

of the eye

b. melanin:

brown-black pigment responsible for hair, skin, and eye color

melanosome: vesicle of melanin transferred to keratinocytes

darkness of skin is dependent on the size of melanosomes and persistence into superficial
layers

sunblock; protects from UV exposure

2. Dermal Blood Supply

blood contains RBC with hemoglobin (red pigment)

increased blood flow to skin: flushed

decreased blood flow to skin: pale

Cyanosis: blue tint of skin due to lack of oxygen

if O2 is associated with hemoglobin, turn bright red, if O2 is removed it appears purple

D. Dermis: connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis

1. Papillar layer

most superficial

loose connective tissue

contains capillaries and sensory neurons

dermal papillae: extend between the epidermal ridges

supply the overlying epidermis with nutrients, remove waste products, and aid in
regulating body temp.

2. Reticular layer

dense irregular connective tissue

main layer of the dermis

gives strength to skin

collagen fibers extend into papillary layer and the subcutaneous tissue (layer of tissue
underlying the dermis)

continuous with subcutaneous layer

forms a mat of irregularly arranged fibers that are resistant to stretching in many
directions

cleavage lines are the result of the elastic and collagen fibers being arranged more in
some directions than others

E. Condition of the skin:

collagen and elastin fibers in the dermis allow for stretching of dermis without damage

aging, hormones and UV exposure diminish the amount of elastin in the skin, leading to
wrinkles

stretchmarks are the result of when the elastic capabilities of the elastin fibers are
exceeded

when the skin is overstretched, the dermis ruptures and leaves lines visible
through the epidermis

F. Lines of Cleavage

result of the parallel bundles of collagen and elastin fibers

surgeons study these lines of cleavage to determine where to make incisions

G. Subcutaneous Tissue

also called the hypodermis

stabilizes the position of the skin

loose connective tissue with lots of fat cells

reduces heat loss, shock absorber, energy reserve

H. Accessory Structure:
1. Hair

found over most of the body

not found on palms, soles, lips, nipples, parts of external genitalia, and distal
segments of fingers and toes

originate in organs called hair follicles

functions of hair include:

protection from UV

cushioning

insulating

sensation

preventing entry into the body

types of hair include the peach fuzz (vellus) and terminal hair

vellus: short, fine, usually unpigmented hair that covers the body except for the
scalp, eyebrows, and eyelids. much of vellus is replaced at puberty by terminal
hairs.

terminal hair: long, course, usually pigmented hair found in the scalp, eyebrows,
and eyelids, replacing vellus hair

2. Glands: exocrine

sebaceous glands:

oil glands

located in dermis

produce sebum: an oily white substance rich in lipids

classified as holocrine glands

connected by a duct to the upper part of the hair follicle

sebum oils the hair and skin surface which prevents drying and protects agains
some bacteria

sebaceous follicles lack hair

sweat glands: apocrine sweat glands in the armpits, groin area release thick fluid;
merocrine sweat glands are distributed all over the body and produce the sensible
perspiration

Apocrine:

gland whose cells contribute cytoplasm to its secretions

simple, coiled, tubular glands that usually open into hair follicles
superficial to the opening of the sebaceous glands

DO NOT REGULATE TEMP!

become active at puberty as a result of sex hormones

secretions contain organic substances that are odorless when first released
but quickly metabolize by bacteria to cause what is known as body odor

Merocrine:

secrete products with no loss of cellular material

most common type of sweat gland

simple, coiled, tubular glands that open directly onto the surface of the
skin through sweat pores

mammary glands:

modified apocrine sweat glands located in breasts

produce milk

only fully developed in pregnant mothers

ceruminous glands:

modified eccrine sweat gland

located in ear canal

produces ear wax (cerumen) which prevents the entry of dirt and small insects

3.

Nails:

found on the tips of fingers and toes

provide protection

I. Role of skin in calcium uptake

exposure to sunlight triggers cells in the stratum spinosum and stratum germinativum to
convert a steroid to Vitamin D (cholecalciferol)

functions as a hormone to stimulate the uptake of calcium and phosphate from the
intestines, to promote their release from bones, and to reduce calcium loss from
the kidneys, resulting in increased blood calcium phosphate levels

Cholecalciferol is converted to an intermediate by the liver

The intermediate is used by the kidney to synthesize the hormone calcitriol

calcitriol regulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus at the small

intestines

Inadequate supplies of calcium and phosphorus decreases bone growth and maintenance

J. Perspiration

conduction: the transfer of heat between two parts of a stationary system, caused by a
temperature difference between the parts.

convection: the transfer of heat by the circulation or movement of the heated parts of a
liquid or gas.
evaporation: to convert or change into vapor

Insensible perspiration: water from interstitial fluid slowly rises to skin surface and will
evaporate

Sensible perspiration: involves secretions from eccrine sweat glands-controlled by

nervous system

***Blisters are the result of pooling of fluid in areas of tissue damage: where layers have
separated
K. Skin Cancer
Most tumors are benign and do not metastasize
Some are malignant
benign:
malignant:
metastasize:
Risk factors for skin cancer: UV exposure, genetic predisposition, chemical or infection
exposure
Types of Skin Cancers:
1. Basal cell carcinoma

most common type of skin cancer

affects cells in the stratum basale

least malignant

effects stratum geminativum

sun exposed areas of face

removal or destruction of the tumor cures most cases

2. Squamous cell carcinoma

effect statum spinosum

scalp, ears, lower lip and hands

grows rapidly

removal or destruction of tumor cures most cases

3. Malignant melanoma

cancer of melanocytes

most dangerous

usually develops in pigmented moles, but can appear spontaneously