Integumentary System
Epidermis and dermis
Hypodermis
Thick and thin skin
Skin color
Functions of the skin
Hair and nails
Cutaneous glands
Overview of the Skin
Largest organ of the body (16% of body weight)
Two layers
epidermis
keratinized stratified squamous epithelium
contains 5 layers
dermis
connective tissue layer
Rests on subcutaneous layer or hypodermis
Normal thickness of 1-2 mm, up to 6 mm
Cell Types & Layers of the Epidermis
5 Layers of the Epidermis
5
Superficial
4
3
Deep
Dermis
Thickness = 0.6mm to 3mm
Composition
collagen, elastic & reticular fibers, fibroblasts &
accessory structures such as hair follicles and glands
Dermal papillae
Layers
papillary layer is areolar tissue & dermal papillae of
upper dermis
reticular layer is deeper part of dermis
Layers of the Dermis
Papillary layer
Reticular layer
Hypodermis
Known as subcutaneous tissue
or superficial fascia
Has more adipose than dermis
Functions
energy reservoir
thermal insulation
Hypodermic injections
into subcutaneous tissue since
highly vascular
Hypodermis
Subcutaneous Fat Distribution
Skin Colors (Pigmentation)
Hemoglobin is red pigment of red blood cells
visible through dermal collagen fibers
Carotene is yellow pigment of vegetables & egg yolks
concentrates in stratum corneum & subcutaneous fat
Melanin pigment produced by melanocytes
pigment synthesis stimulated by UV radiation from sunlight
produces yellow, brown, black and reddish hues
Melanocyte
Abnormal Skin Colors
Cyanosis - blueness from lack of oxygen
Erythema - redness from dilated cutaneous
vessels
Jaundice - yellowing of skin & sclera - bilirubin
Bronzing - golden-brown color of Addison
disease (deficiency of glucocorticoid hormone)
Pallor - pale color from lack of blood flow
Albinism - a genetic lack of melanin
Hematoma - a bruise (visible clotted blood)
Skin Markings
Hemangiomas (birthmarks)
discolored skin caused by benign tumors of dermal
blood capillaries (strawberry birthmarks disappear in
childhood -- port wine birthmarks last for life)
Freckles & moles = aggregations of melanocytes
freckles are flat; moles are elevated
Friction (epidermal) ridges leave oily fingerprints
Functions of the Skin
Barrier = tough, dry, acid mantle, water barrier, UV barrier
Vitamin D synthesis
UV light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol in dermal vessels to vitamin D 3
Cutaneous absorption
1-2 % oxygen absorption by diffusion through skin
fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E & K) easily absorbed
Sensory functions
receptors for heat, cold, touch, pressure, vibration & pain
Thermoregulation
cutaneous vasodilation & constriction and sweating
Psychological and social functions
appearance & social acceptance
facial expression and nonverbal communication
Characteristics of Human Hair
S. corneum of the skin contains soft keratin
Hair and nails are composed of hard keratin
toughened by disulfide bridges between molecules
Hair found almost everywhere on the body
3 different body hair types
lanugo -- fine, unpigmented fetal hair
vellus -- fine, unpigmented hair
terminal hair -- coarse, long, pigmented hair
Structure of Hair and Follicle
Hair is filament of keratinized cells
Shaft: parts above skin
Root: parts below within follicle
Follicle: epidermal invagination into dermis
Cross section layers: medulla, cortex and cuticle
Bulb: swelling in base where hair originates
Papilla: vascular tissue in bulb
Hair color is due to melanin pigments
eumelanin
pheomelanin (agouti signaling protein)
Signals for Melanin Production
Structure of Hair Follicle
Epithelial root sheath
is an extension of the
epidermis
Connective tissue
root sheath is derived
from the dermis
Hair receptors
entwine each follicle
Arrector pili muscle
White hair is due to air in medulla & lack of pigment in cortex.
Growth of Hair
Mitosis in stratum basale of epithelial root sheath
as cells become keratinized they are pushed upward
Grow 1 mm every 3 days for 2 to 5 years
dormant phase lasts several months to years
as new hair begins to grow it pushes out old hair
eyelashes and eyebrows only grow for about a month then are
dormant for 3 months
Pattern baldness (patchy thinning)
baldness gene is dominant in males & expressed with male levels
of testosterone
thinning on top & then sides of head in males with 1 baldness allele
baldness in females if homozygous recessive with abnormal testosterone
Functions of Hair
Body hair too thin to provide warmth
Sensory functions
alert us to parasites crawling on skin
Scalp hair provides heat retention & sunburn cover
Sex and individual recognition
Beard, pubic & axillary hair indicate sexual maturity
& help distribute sexual scents
Guard hairs & eyelashes prevent foreign objects
from getting into nostrils, ear canals or eyes
Expression of emotions with eyebrows
Nails
Clear, hard derivative of stratum corneum
densely packed cells filled with hard keratin
Flat nails allow for fleshy, sensitive fingertips
Growth rate is 1 mm per week
new cells added by mitosis in the nail matrix
nail plate is visible part of nail
Eponychium is cuticle
Cutaneous Glands
Sweat glands
merocrine
apocrine
Sebaceous glands
Ceruminous glands
Mammary glands
Sweat Glands
Filtrate of plasma
500 ml of perspiration/day
Merocrine gland - simple
tubular gland
millions of them
cool the body
Apocrine glands - sweat
contains fatty acids
found only near hair follicles & respond to stress & sex
body odor produced by bacterial action on fatty acids
Sebaceous Glands
Oily secretion called sebum that contains brokendown cells
lanolin in skin creams is sheep sebum
Flask-shaped gland with duct that may open into hair
follicle
Ceruminous Glands
Found only in external ear canal
Their secretion combines with sebum to produce
earwax
waterproof keeps eardrum flexible
Breasts and Mammary Glands
Breasts of both sexes rarely contain glands
Secondary sexual characteristic of females
Glandular tissue - only during lactation and pregnancy
modified apocrine sweat gland
Mammary ridges or milk lines
2 rows of mammary glands in most mammals
Polythelia witch identification
Diseases of the Skin
Most vulnerable organ to injury & disease
skin diseases common in old age
Skin cancer
induced by UV rays of the sun
most common in fair-skinned and elderly
basal cell carcinoma
arises from cells of the stratum basale & invades dermis
treated by surgical removal & radiation
squamous cell carcinoma
arises from keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum
if neglected, metastasis to the lymph nodes can be lethal
malignant melanoma (most deadly cancer)
arises from melanocytes of a preexisting mole
ABCDE--asymmetry, border irregular, color mixed, diameter over 6 mm, &
evolving
Burns
Causes of burns -- hot water, sunlight, radiation, electric
shock or acids and bases
Causes of deaths
fluid loss, infection, & effects of dead tissue
Degrees of burns
1st-degree = only the epidermis (red, painful & edema)
2nd-degree = epidermis & part of dermis (blistered)
epidermis regenerates from hair follicles & sweat glands
3rd-degree = epidermis, dermis & more is destroyed
often requires grafts or fibrosis & disfigurement may occur
Treatment -- fluid replacement & infection control
Wound Healing of a Laceration
Clot forms
Scab forms on
surface
Macrophages start
to clean up debris
Wound Healing of a Laceration
New capillaries grow
Fibroblasts deposit
new collagen
Fibroblastic phase
begins in 3-4 days &
lasts up to 2 weeks
Formation of granulation tissue.
Wound Healing of a Laceration
Surface epithelial cells
multiply & spread
beneath scab
Scab falls off
Epithelium grows
regenerates
Connective tissue forms
only scar tissue (fibrosis)
Remodeling phase may
last 2 years
Epithelial regeneration & connective
tissue fibrosis.
Wound Healing of a Laceration
Damaged vessels leak blood
Damaged cells & mast cells
leak histamine
dilates blood vessels
increases blood flow
increases capillary
permeability
Plasma seeps into wound
carrying antibodies, clotting
factors & WBCs
