NURS1108: Introduction

to Anatomy & Physiology

Dr. Jermaine H. Whyte
FMS- UWI
[email protected]
INTEGUMENTARY
SYSTEM
Skin, Nail & Hair
Objectives
1. Identify the different layers of the skin and their structure and functions.

2. Discuss the structure and functions of the accessory structures of the skin.

3. Compare the two kinds of glands in the skin based on structure and secretion.

4. Discuss the functions of the skin.

5. Explain the importance of sweating.

6. Explain the role of the skin in regulating body temperature.

7. Explain the term pigment and its role in skin colour differences among people.

8. Discuss the growth and repair process of the skin and accessory structures.
The Anatomy of Skin and
Associated Structures
• Skin is the largest human organ
– Epidermis is 0.1 mm thick
– Numerous structures embedded in tissue layers
• Blood vessels
• Nerves, Mechanoreceptors (nerve endings)
• Sweat glands
• Hair follicles
• Oil glands
The Anatomy of Skin and
Associated Structures
• Skin is composed of two layers of tissue
- Outermost epidermis
• Composed of epithelial cells
• Rests on a basement membrane
- Dermis lies beneath epidermis
Epidermis
• Keratinized stratified squamous epi.

• Cells of epidermis:

• Keratinocytes – produce fibrous protein keratin

• Melanocytes
o 10-25% of cells in lower epidermis
o Produce pigment melanin

• Epidermal dendritic (Langerhans) cells – macrophages

that help activate immune system
• Tactile (Merkel) cells – Touch receptors
The Epidermis
Epidermis
• The epidermis forms a barrier deep to superficial
– Five layers
1. Basal cells – rest on the basement membrane and form
the stratum basale (basal layer)
a. Also contains melanocytes (pigment-producing
cells)
b. Single row of stem cells
2. Stratum spinosum (prickly layer)
a. Contain cuboidal cells joined together by
desmosomes
b. As they push to the surface they acquire keratin and
are now called keratinocytes.
Epidermis
3. Stratum granulosum
a. Contains abundant
protein-filled granules
b. Thin; three to five cell
layers in which cells flatten

4. Stratum lucidum (clear layer)

a. In thick skin - hands and
feet
b. Microscopically
transparent
c. A few rows of flat, dead
keratinocytes
Epidermis
5. Stratum corneum (Horny Layer)
a. 20-30 rows of dead, flat,
keratinized membranous scas
b. Waterproof
c. Repels environmental agents
d. Does not support microbe
growth
e. When shed, carry away
microbes and other hazards
Anatomy of the Skin
Structures in the Dermis
• Cell types in the dermis:
o Fibroblast: produces collagen and elastin fibers
o Macrophages
o Dendritic cells
• Precapillary sphincters
• Nerves
The Dermis
- flexible and strong
connective tissue
- elastic, reticular and
collagen fibers
- cells: fibroblasts,
macrophages (WBC),
mast cells (histamine).
- nerves, blood and lymphatic
vessels
- oil and sweat glands
originate
- two layers: papillary and
reticular
Dermis
1- Papillary layer:
- loose connective tissue with nipple
like surface projection called dermal
papilla. Collagen and elastic fibers
- capillaries
- contain pain receptors
- contain touch receptors
(Meissner’s corpuscles)
- dermal ridges- epidermal ridges-
pattern called fingerprints
Dermis
2- Reticular layer:
- dense irregular c.t. ~80% of the
thickness of dermis
- collagen fibers offer strength and
resiliency
- holds water
- dermal tearing causes stretch
marks.

Skin color: attributed to melanin,

hemoglobin and carotene.
Race is determined by amount of melanin
not # of melanocytes.
Melanocytes and
Pigmentation
Local accumulation of melanin will result in
freckles and pigmented moles.
Melanin is made through interaction with
tyrosinase present in melanocytes

UV light stimulates melanin production. Excessive

UV light can damage DNA and cause solar
elastosis (elastin fibers clump)

Carotene is formed from Vit. A and deposits in

stratum corneum and imparts an orange tone to
skin
Remember This
• The varying shades of brownness of skin depend on the
amount of melanin pigment produced by melanocytes in
the epidermis.
Appendages of the Skin
• Derivatives of the epidermis

• Sweat glands
• Oil glands
• Hairs and hair follicles
• Nails
Sweat Glands
1. Eccrine (merocrine) sweat glands – abundant on palms,
soles, and forehead
• Sweat: 99% water, NaCl, vitamin C, antibodies, dermcidin, metabolic wastes
• Ducts connect to pores
• Function in thermoregulation

2. Apocrine sweat glands – confined to axillary and

anogenital areas
• Sebum: sweat + fatty substances and proteins
• Ducts connect to hair follicles
• Functional from puberty onward
• Specialized apocrine glands
o Ceruminous glands – in external ear canal; secrete cerumen
o Mammary glands
Sebaceous Glands
• Widely distribute
• Most develop from hair follicles
• Become active at puberty
• Sebum
o Oily holocrine secretion
o Bactericidal
o Softens hair and skins
Review
a. Dandruff is caused by excessive shedding of cells from
the outer skin layers of the scalp. Thus, dandruff is
composed of cells from which epidermal layer?
b. Name two pigments contained in the epidermis
c. Why does exposure to sunlight or sunlamps darken
skin?
d. Why does the skin of a fair-skinned person appear red
during exercise in hot weather?
Burns
Skin Functions Affected by
Burns
Fluid and Electrolyte Balance. Even areas with partial-
thickness burns lose their effectiveness as barriers to fluid
and electrolyte losses. In full-thickness burns, the rate of fluid
loss through the skin may reach five times the normal level.

Thermoregulation. Increased fluid loss means increased

evaporative cooling. As a result, more energy must be
expended to keep body temperature within acceptable limits.

Protection from Infection. The dampness of the epidermal

surface, resulting from uncontrolled fluid loss, encourages
bacterial growth. If the skin is broken, infection is likely.
Widespread bacterial infection, or sepsis (sepsis, rotting), is
the leading cause of death in burn victims.
Function of the Skin
• Basic function of skin is to keep the inside in and the outside
out: Protection
• Retains
• Body heat
• Body water
• Keeps out water, bacteria, chemicals, and other threats
• Helps regulate body temperature
• Senses danger
• Protects against force
• Synthesizes cholecalciferol (vitamin D)
Temperature Regulation
The Functions of Skin
(Review)
• True of false? Blood vessel dilation delivers warm blood to the
body surface for cooling.
Hair Structure
Hair Structure
o Shaft
• Superficial portion
o Root
• Below the surface
o Cuticle
• Outermost layer of hair
o Hair develops in follicles
• Downward continuation of epidermis
Functions of Hair
o Protection
o Thermoregulation
o Sensory
o Minor role in humans
Growth of Hair
o At the base of the follicle, hair papilla
• Contains blood vessels and nerves
o Nourishes hair
o Bulb
• Contains matrix – epithelial cells responsible for
growth
o Contains melanocytes
Arrector Pili
o Smooth muscle attaches to follicle
o Raises hairs
o Response to fright or cold
o Function?
Nail Structure
o Nail body
o Free edge
o Nail root
• Matrix
oLunula (moon)
Nail Structure
Effects of Aging on the
Skin
• Fewer Melanocytes
• Drier Epidermis
• Thinning Epidermis
• Diminished Immune Response
• Thinning Dermis
• Decreased Prespiration
• Altered Hair and Fat Distribution
• Fewer Active Follicles
• Slower Skin Repair
• Reduced Blood Supply
Recommended Reading
• McConnell, T. H. & Hull, K. L. (2011). Human form and
function: Essentials of anatomy& physiology.
Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.

• Shier, D., Lewis, R. & Butler, J. (2002). Hole’s human

anatomy & physiology. New York: McGraw Hill.

• Tortora, Gerard J. & Derrickson, Bryan H. (2011).

Principles of anatomy and physiology. Somerset, New
Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.