Tissues & The

Integument
Anatomy and Physiology
2022-2023

Nursing (HTHSCI 1H06)

Health Sciences & iBioMed
(HTHSCI 2F03)
Engineering (HTHSCI 2L03)
Midwifery (HTHSCI 1D06
Lecture Objectives

• Introduce the 4 types of tissue

– Focus on epithelial & connective tissue
• Discuss the Integumentary system
– Structure & Function
• Epidermis & Dermis
• Skin glands
– Healing & repair (if we have time)
 Four types of tissues

1. Epithelial (covering)
2. Muscle (movement)
3. Nervous (control)
4. Connective (support)
Epithelial tissue (covering & lining)
• classified according to the number of cell layers and the shape

• Epithelial tissue is avascular.

Examples of epithelial classification

Apical
Simple cuboidal Stratified squamous

Lateral

Basal

Simple columnar Basement

Pseudostratified,
membrane
ciliated columnar
Connective Tissue (binding & support)
Most abundant tissue by weight, usually well
vascularized, and serves several functions including:

• binding and support

• protection against infection
• tissue repair
• insulation
Consists of cells surrounded by an Extra-Cellular Matrix
ECM = Ground Substance + Fibers (e.g. collagen, elastin, etc.)
Ground Substance may be fluid, semi fluid, gelatinous or calcified

Different amounts of fiber types and cell types produce the

different classes of connective tissue.
Classes of Connective Tissue
(1) Connective tissue proper
Loose connective tissue Fibroblasts
areolar Adipocytes*
(Semi-fluid GS)
reticular
adipose*

Dense connective tissue

regular Fibroblasts
(very little GS)
irregular
elastic
(2) Cartilage (3) Bone (4) Blood RBCs
(Fluid GS)
hyaline Osteocytes
(Calcified GS)
fibrocartilage
elastic
Chondrocytes
(Stiff, Gelatenous GS)
The Integumentary System
 The skin is an indicator of clinical
conditions and dysfunction
Blue (Cyanotic)
– Hypoxemia
Yellow (Jaundiced / Icteric)
– Liver dysfunction (biliruben)
Red (Erythema)
– Heat, Infection, Inflammation, Allergic reaction
White (Pallor)
– Shock, Anemia, Peripheral vasoconstriction
The Integumentary System
Skin + accessory organs = integumentary system

Latin for covering

Consists of two layers:
1) Epidermis
2) Dermis
• Hair folicles
• Glands
• Sensory receptors
• Blood vessels
Sits on the hypodermis
(aka subcutaneous layer)

Greek - hypo = under; dermo = skin

 Epidermis
Composed of 5 layers (strata): Corneum (horny)
25-30 layers of dead cells
Lucidum (clear)
Only present in thick skin
Granulosum (granular)
3-5 layers of cells
Transition zone (living-dead)
Keratohyalin
Lamellar granules
Spinosum (spiny)
8-10 layers
Keratin intermediate filaments
Cells joined by Desmosomes
Basale (germinativum)
From which all other layers
are derived (dividing layer)
• Lacks blood vessels – nutrients via diffusion
• Balance between cell production and cell loss (apoptosis; sloughing)
• Entire process takes 4-6 weeks (7-10 days in psoriasis)
 Cell types in the epidermis

Keratinocytes: Melanocyte:
Predominant cell 8% of epidermal
type (90%) cells
Produce keratin Produce melanin
(protect from heat, Stratum basale
abrasion, microbes,
chemicals)

Langerhans cell: Merkel cell:

Intraepidermal Detect touch
macrophage sensations
Phagocytosis Stratum basale
Stratum spinosum
Epidermal ridges
Gives rise to fingerprints (or footprints).
Increase surface area of epidermis (improves grip).
Epidermal peg supported by dermal papilla.
Increases contact between dermis & epidermis (mech stress).
Epidermal ridge
 Melanin = protection from the sun
• A yellow-red / brown-black pigment
• We all have the same number of melanocytes but
different amounts of melanin
• Protects the germinal layer against damaging UV rays
• Increased UV = increased melanin synthesis (tanning)
• Also responsible for hair colour
UV

MSH

Melanin granules
in melanocytes Melanocytes
Skin Tone
Expression of 3 pigments:
Melanin (mainly) yellow-red / brown-black
Carotene (vitamin A) yellow-orange
Hemoglobin red
Melanocyte alterations
Albinism – no melanin produced
Vitiligo – loss of pigment in patches (autoimmune)
Freckles/moles – aggregation of melanin/melanocytes
Melanoma – cancerous mole (nevus)
ABCDE’s of BENIGN MALIGNANT
Melignant
Melanomas
symmetrical Asymmetrical

borders even Borders uneven

one color Colours – two or more

diameter Diameter
less than 6mm Larger than 6mm

Elevated or Evolving
 Dermis
• Deeper and thicker than the epidermis
• Binds the epidermis to the underlying tissues
• Contains collagen and elastic fibers that provide
support for the skin (secreted by Fibroblasts)
• Location of BVs, nerves, hair follicles, and skin glands
• Divided into papillary and reticular regions

Epidermis
papillary

Dermis
reticular
Skin Glands
Types of skin glands:
1. Sebaceous (oils)
2. Apocrine Sweat
3. Eccrine (sudoriferous)
4. Ceruminous (waxy)
Arrector
Sebaceous pili m.
Regulated by the SNS

Eccrine
Apocrine
Functions of the Skin

1. Thermo-regulation

2. Blood reservoir

3. Protection from the environment

4. Cutaneous sensations

5. Excretion and absorption (minor)

6. Synthesis of vitamin D
 1. Temperature Regulation
Maintenance of body temperature (37oC)
• BVs dilate (to lose heat) or constrict (to conserve heat)
• Heat loss is also promoted by sweat production and relies
on conduction & convection
Lose heat when warm by directing blood to the epidermis

Conserve heat when cold by directing blood away from epidermis

2. Blood Reservoir
Dermis carries 8-10% of total blood volume

3. Protection from the environment

Chemical
• Oily secretions (sebum) containing defensins, and low
pH sweat, help retard the growth of microbes
• Melanin protects stem cells from damaging UV rays
Physical
• Continuity (no breaks)
• Designed to withstand abrasion (thickness & keratin)
Biological
• Intraepidermal macrophages provide immune
surveillance and help activate other immune cells
4. Cutaneous sensations
Conveys external sensations to the spinal cord:
– Pain, temperature, touch, pressure, etc.
5. Excretion & Absorption
Waste products such as amonia & urea excreted with
sweat. A source of “insensible” H2O loss. 7 -Dehydrocholesterol
(epidermis)

Absorbs lipids, gases, and organic solvents.

6. Metabolism
Contributes to synthesis of
Vitamin-D → Ca2+ homeostasis
Synthesis of Vit-D precursor
requires UV exposure – further
metabolized by liver & kidney.
 Skin Wound Healing
Epidermal

epidermis

dermis

Division of stratum basal cells and Thickening of epidermis

migration across wound

Deep epidermis
Blood clot

Neutrophil
dermis
Scar tissue

Fibroblast

Deep – 4 phases:
1. Inflammatory
2. Migratory
3. Proliferative
4. Maturation
Questions?
Tattoos!
 Tattoos!

Tattoos fade / become blurry over

time as macrophages absorb the
ink particles and slowly migrate
away.

UV rays also damage ink particles

causing fading / discolouration.