GENERAL ANATOMY
Introduction to Integumentar y Syste m
University of the East
Study Guide and Notes
SKIN: largest organ of the body.
aka. Integumentary system or Cutaneous Layer.
Functions of Skin:
1. Production: of inactive vitamin D --> activated in the Kidney.
2. Armor: skin is the first line of defense.
3. Body sense: “Somatosensory”
4. Anti-UV: skin produces “melanin”
5. Sweat production
6. Attraction: for sexual signaling; “pheromones” --> chemicals from apocrine glands.
7. Temperature: temperature regulation because of Adipose tissue --> which produces heat and AVA/
arteriovenous anastomoses ---> for thermoregulation.
Layers of the Skin:
1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. Hypodermis
EPIDERMIS: consists of “stratified squamous keratinized epithelium”
with Keratin ( MOST ABUNDANT )
Melanocytes ( 2nd most abundant)
Langerhans (3rd most abundant)
Merkel Cells (least abundant)
STRATA OR LAYERS OF EPIDERMIS
mnemonics: “COME LET’S GET SUN BURN”
1. STRATUM CORNEUM: MOST superficial, keratin layer ( soft keratin), cornified cells---> dead cells.
: Basis of thickness of skin.
2. STRATUM LUCIDUM: Light transparent cells transparent layer but is still seen under the microscope.
This layer can only be seen on thick skin.
3. STRATUM GRANULOSUM: granular layer, keratohyaline ( in the form of granules)
: lamellar--> produces lipids.
4.STRATUM SPINOSUM: “Langerhans Cells” , Prickle Cell Layer/Spinous Layer
: this is the thickest layer BUT NOT the BASIS of Thickness!
: SYNTHESIS of keratin function ( in the form of fiber)
5. STRATUM BASALE: aka “GERMINATIVUM”
: production happens
: Basal Layer
: Stem Cells (19 days)
: Single layer
: 3M - MELANOCYTES, MERKELS DISKS, MEISSNER’S CORPUSCLES
Introduction to Integumentar y Syste m
University of the East
Study Guide and Notes
SKIN: largest organ of the body.
aka. Integumentary system or Cutaneous Layer.
Functions of Skin:
1. Production: of inactive vitamin D --> activated in the Kidney.
2. Armor: skin is the first line of defense.
3. Body sense: “Somatosensory”
4. Anti-UV: skin produces “melanin”
5. Sweat production
6. Attraction: for sexual signaling; “pheromones” --> chemicals from apocrine glands.
7. Temperature: temperature regulation because of Adipose tissue --> which produces heat and AVA/
arteriovenous anastomoses ---> for thermoregulation.
Layers of the Skin:
1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. Hypodermis
EPIDERMIS: consists of “stratified squamous keratinized epithelium”
with Keratin ( MOST ABUNDANT )
Melanocytes ( 2nd most abundant)
Langerhans (3rd most abundant)
Merkel Cells (least abundant)
STRATA OR LAYERS OF EPIDERMIS
mnemonics: “COME LET’S GET SUN BURN”
1. STRATUM CORNEUM: MOST superficial, keratin layer ( soft keratin), cornified cells---> dead cells.
: Basis of thickness of skin.
2. STRATUM LUCIDUM: Light transparent cells transparent layer but is still seen under the microscope.
This layer can only be seen on thick skin.
3. STRATUM GRANULOSUM: granular layer, keratohyaline ( in the form of granules)
: lamellar--> produces lipids.
4.STRATUM SPINOSUM: “Langerhans Cells” , Prickle Cell Layer/Spinous Layer
: this is the thickest layer BUT NOT the BASIS of Thickness!
: SYNTHESIS of keratin function ( in the form of fiber)
5. STRATUM BASALE: aka “GERMINATIVUM”
: production happens
: Basal Layer
: Stem Cells (19 days)
: Single layer
: 3M - MELANOCYTES, MERKELS DISKS, MEISSNER’S CORPUSCLES
