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Integumentary System Study Guide
1. Which portion of the epidermis has actively reproducing cells? Stratum Basale
2. Are keratin levels higher in superficial or deep epidermis? Superficial
3. Blood vessels and nerves are present in which layer of skin? Dermis
4. In what layer of skin can you find melanocytes? Epidermis (stratum basale)
5. What structure pulls the hair follicle into an upright position? Arrector Pili
6. What structure is responsible for whorled ridges on epidermal surfaces? Dermal Papillae
7. What region of the integumentary system is responsible for shock absorption? Hypodermis
8. Which skin gland produces sweat? Sudoriferous - Eccrine
9. Which skin gland produces oil/sebum? Sebaceous
10. In a hair, the outermost single layer of cells that overlap one another like shingles is called
11. the cuticle.
12. The part of a hair that projects from the surface of the scalp or skin is called the hair
shaft.
13. The skin that covers the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet has an extra layer of
epidermis called the stratum lucidum.
14. The type of burn that involves injury to the epidermis and the upper region of the dermis
and is red, blistered, and painful is termed as a second degree burn.
15. The white crescent area located over the nail matrix is called the lunula.
16. Baldness is medically termed alopecia.
17. The most external skin region is composed of squamous epithelia.
18. What are the types of epithelial tissue membranes? Cutaneous (skin), mucous, serous
19. What is the first threat to life from a massive third-degree burn? Dessication
20.Where are mucous membranes located in the body? Line cavities open to the outside
21. How is the "tanning" effect (darkening of the skin) that occurs when a person is exposed to
the sun somewhat protective? Exposure to UV radiation causes melanocytes to increase
melanin production. Melanin covers the nuclei of cells and absorbs UV radiation.
22.When a person has severe burns, what are the two most life-threatening concerns? Fluid
loss and infection
23.Which part of the skin has no blood supply of its own? Epidermis
24.List the layers of the epidermis in order from innermost to outermost.
a. Stratum basale
b. Stratum spinosum
c. Stratum granulosum
d. Stratum lucidum
e. Stratum corneum
25.List five protective functions of the integumentary system.
a. Prevents water loss (lipids)
b. Prevents entry of microorganisms/foreign substances (secretions & skin)
c. Protects against abrasion (stratified squamous epithelium)
d. Protects against UV light damage (melanin)
e. Hair: insulation (head), keeps foreign objects/microorganisms/sweat out
(eyelashes, eyebrows, nose & ear hairs)
f. Damage protection/defense (nails)
26.Explain the importance of the "rule of 9s".
The rule of nines assesses the percentage of burn and is used to help guide treatment
decisions including fluid resuscitation and becomes part of the guidelines to determine
transfer to a burn unit.
27.What happens to skin cells as they progress from the deeper portion of the epidermis
toward the surface? They fill with keratin and die.
28.Which membranes are classified as a connective membrane? synovial
29.Explain how the skin helps regulate body temperature.
The nervous system is responsible for controlling all temperature-regulating functions of the
skin. When the temperature in the external environment is high, heat loss occurs as the
nervous system activates sweat glands. Perspiration is produced, which evaporates from the
skin surface, causing heat to be dissipated. At the same time, the nervous system causes
blood to be flushed into skin capillary beds so that heat radiates from the body surface. In
contrast, when the temperature in the external environment is low, the nervous system
prevents blood from entering the skin capillary system and radiation to the body exterior is
prevented so that perspiration does not occur. At the same time, blood is prevented from
entering deeper tissues and the core temperature of the body is maintained.
30.Define and explain the function of the arrector pili.
The arrector pili are small bands of smooth muscle cells that connect each side of a hair follicle to
the dermal tissue. They are activated by cold or fright and, when contracted, pull the hair follicle
into an upright position, dimpling the skin surface with "goose bumps."
31. Explain the ABCD rule.
The ABCD rule describes the appearance of the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma.
The "A" is for asymmetry. In melanoma, the two sides of the pigmented spot or mole do not
match. The "B" is for border irregularity. In melanoma, the borders of the lesion are not
smooth but exhibit indentations. The "C" is for color. In melanoma, the pigmented spot
contains areas of different colors (blacks, browns, tans, and sometimes blues and reds). The
"D" is for diameter. In melanoma, the spot is larger than 6 mm in diameter (the size of a
pencil eraser).
32.Identify four changes that occur to the skin and subcutaneous connective tissue as a result
of aging, and state how these changes can be delayed.
1. The amount of subcutaneous tissue below the skin decreases, leading to an intolerance to
cold in the elderly.
2. Because of decreased oil production and declining numbers of collagen fibers, the skin
becomes drier and may become itchy and bothersome.
3. Thinning of the skin makes it more susceptible to bruising and other types of injuries.
4. A decrease in elasticity of the skin, along with the loss of subcutaneous fat, allows bags to
form under the eyes and causes jowls to sag.
To delay these changes, the skin should be kept clean and shielded from the sun, and a
healthy diet with plenty of fluids should be maintained.
33.What protein within the skin prevents it from soaking up water when a person takes a
shower? keratin
34.What skin structures are found in the dermis? blood vessels, hair follicles, sensory
receptors, muscle, sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands
35.What causes acne?
36.What is the composition of the secretions of eccrine glands? 99% water; 1% electrolytes
(salts), nutrients, wastes
37.How are eccrine glands different from apocine glands? Eccrine glands secrete sweat and are
located all over the body. Apocrine glands are located in the axillae and genital regions. They
secrete
38.What do the nails you clip, the hair you cut and the skin you rub off have in common? all
keratinized epithelial cells
39.How does vitamin D help keep us healthy? Vitamin D is required for the proper absorption
and regulation of calcium and phosphate.
40.What percentage of the body is burned if a 16 year old male burned his back, the back of his
left leg, and his entire right arm? 36%
Identify the labeled structures on the skin cross section below.
A. Hair shaft
B. Epidermis
C. Dermis
D. Hypodermis
E. Eccrine gland
F. Adipose tissue
G. Artery
H. Vein
I. Sensory receptor
J. Hair Follicle
K. Arrector pili
L. Sebaceous gland