Anatomy & Physiology Integumentary Skin System Overview

Summary

In this educational video, Sarah from Registered Nurse RN covers the integumentary system, focusing on the skin's functions like temperature regulation and UV protection. She explains the skin's two main layers: the epidermis and dermis, and their components. Sarah also discusses skin appendages like hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. The video includes a quiz and encourages viewers to visit her website for more quizzes to prepare for anatomy and physiology exams.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video is a teaching series on the integumentary system, also known as the skin system.
• 🧪 The skin is an organ with multiple functions including temperature regulation, UV protection, and environmental hazard protection.
• 🔍 The skin contains sensors that help protect the body by increasing environmental awareness, such as sensing heat to prevent burns.
• 🏼 The skin has two distinct layers: the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (fibrous connective tissue layer).
• 👥 The hypodermis is a fatty layer beneath the dermis that insulates the body but is not part of the integumentary system.
• 🌱 The epidermis is composed of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium and contains four types of cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells.
• 💪 The dermis contains nerves, nerve fibers, blood vessels, and is divided into the dermal papilla (20%) and the reticular layer (80%).
• 🧖‍♀️ The appendages of the skin include hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and nails.
• 🌬️ The erector pili muscle is responsible for producing goosebumps on the skin.
• 💧 There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine (found everywhere except nipples and external genitalia) and apocrine (found in axillary, anal, and genitalia areas).
• 👂 Sensory nerve endings in the skin include Meissner corpuscles (light touch) and Pacinian corpuscles (pain and pressure).

Q & A

What is the primary function of the integumentary system?

The integumentary system, also known as the skin system, primarily controls body temperature, protects us from UV radiation and other environmental hazards, and contains sensors that help us be more aware of our environment.

How many distinct layers does the skin have?

The skin has two distinct layers: the epidermis, which is the top layer, and the dermis, which is the second layer below the epidermis.

What is the hypodermis and is it part of the integumentary system?

The hypodermis is a fatty layer beneath the dermis that helps keep our body warm. It is not technically part of the integumentary system, but it is often included in diagrams related to the skin.

What are the four types of cells that make up the epidermis?

The epidermis is made up of keratinocytes, melanocytes, Merkel cells, and Langerhans cells.

What is the function of the dermal papilla?

The dermal papilla is the superficial layer of the dermis, making up 20% of its structure. It has finger-like pegs that connect to the epidermis.

What is the reticular layer of the dermis and what percentage does it constitute?

The reticular layer is a network of collagen layers that makes up 80% of the dermis.

What are the functions of hair?

Hair functions to sense light touch on the skin and to keep certain areas of the body warm. For example, eyelashes protect the eyes from particles, and nose hairs prevent us from inhaling lint.

What is the role of the root plexus in the skin?

The root plexus is a knot of sensory nerve endings that wrap around the hair bulb, allowing us to feel when our hair is touched or moved.

What does the erector pili muscle do and how can you remember it?

The erector pili muscle is a bundle of smooth muscle cells that produce goosebumps on the skin. The name can be remembered because 'erect' relates to raising or standing up, just as the muscle causes hair to stand up and create goosebumps.

Where are sebaceous glands found and what do they produce?

Sebaceous glands, also known as oil glands, are found everywhere except on the palms and soles. They produce an oily substance called sebum.

What are the two types of sweat glands and where are they located?

There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands, which are found everywhere except on the nipples and parts of the external genitalia, and apocrine glands, which are found in the axillary, anal, and genitalia areas. Eccrine glands produce sweat that is secreted through pores, while apocrine glands produce a sweat containing fatty substances and proteins.

What is the function of Meissner's corpuscles in the skin?

Meissner's corpuscles are nerve endings responsible for sensitivity to light touch and are located more superficially in the skin.

What is the role of Pacinian corpuscles in the skin?

Pacinian corpuscles are nerve endings that are responsible for our sensitivity to pain and pressure in the skin.