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Skin (Integumentary System)

PLEASE NOTE: Only images surrounded by a thick black border in the following lecture slides will be included on Practical 1. The skin model at the end of this lecture series is also fair game for P1.

APR 3.0 Module 4. Integumentary Histology & Dissection Sections

Skin (Integument)
Outer covering of the body Largest organ of the body
An organ is a group of tissues that work together and have specific functions.

Functions of the skin: Protection = Barrier against drying, bacteria, UV light, water, physical abuse Temperature regulation Sensory perception Excretory organ Formation of vitamin D

Skin (Integument)
Consists of three major regions: 1. Epidermis
Outermost superficial region

2. Dermis
Middle region

3
1 2

3. Hypodermis (Subcutaneous)
Deepest region

APR 3.0 Module 4. Integumentary (Dissection) Topic: Thin skin and subcutaneous tissues View: Layers

Layers of Skin

Epidermis
Keratinized stratified squamous epithelium of variable thickness Avascular

Thick skin has five


layers (superficial to deep):
1. Stratum corneum 2. Stratum lucidum 3. Stratum granulosum 4. Stratum spinosum 5. Stratum basale

Thin skin has four layers


(stratum lucidum is missing)
Cells of stratum lucidum and stratum corneum lack nuclei

Thick Skin High Magnification

SC

SC = Stratum Corneum SL = Stratum Lucidum SG = Stratum Granulosum SS = Stratum Spinosum SB = Stratum Basale P = Papillary Layer of Dermis

SL SS SG

SB

Thin Skin High Magnification

SC

SC = Stratum Corneum SG = Stratum Granulosum SS = Stratum Spinosum SB = Stratum Basale

SG

SS

SB

Stratum Corneum
Description:
Outermost layer of epidermis Up to 30 layers of cornified, dead cells Dead cells contain keratin

Functions:
Creates barrier to fluids = waterproofing Protection from abrasion and penetration, wear and drying Rendering the body relatively insensitive to biological, chemical, and physical assaults

Cells sloughed (shed) from surface and continually replaced from deeper layers

Stratum Lucidum
In epidermis, between stratum granulosum and stratum corneum Present only in skin of palm (hand) and sole (foot) = THICK SKIN Description:
Thin translucent layer composed of three to five layers of keratinocytes without nuclei or organelles (clear layer)

Stratum Granulosum
Above this layer, the capillaries in the dermis can not supply the cells resulting in cell death Description:
Three to five layers of flattened keratinocytes Keratinocytes contain dark staining keratohyalin granules (precursor of keratin)
Keratohyalin granules release a protein that binds keratin filaments together into coarse, tough bundles

Nuclei of keratinocytes in various stages of degeneration

Stratum Spinosum
Histological fixatives shrink keratinocytes so they pull away from each other; they remain attached at desmosomes giving shrunken cells appearance of porcupines attached to their neighbors = spiny cells

Description:
Many layers of keratinocytes Deepest cells can divide Cells firmly attached to each other by desmosomes (cell junctions)

Stratum Basale (Basal Layer)


Deepest layer of epidermis firmly attached to dermis Description: Single layer of columnar or high cuboidal cells resting on basement membrane Keratinocyte is predominant cell Also contains melanocytes, and stem cells Skin color - the more active the melanocytes the darker the skin Stem cells produce keratinocytes and melanocytes via mitosis.

All new epidermal cells are formed in this layer!!!

Cells of Epidermis
Keratinocytes:
Most abundant cell type in epidermis (90% of cells) Produce keratin and arise from stratum basale every 20-45 days

Melanocytes:
Produce melanin pigment Have long, branching cytoplasmic processes and are scattered among the keratinocytes within stratum basale Processes continually shed melanin-containing fragments from their tips Keratinocytes phagocytize these fragments and accumulate melanin granules on the sunny side of the nucleus. This shields the DNA within the nucleus from UV radiation.

Dermis
Second major skin region containing strong, flexible connective tissue Composed of two layers
1. Papillary layer composed of areolar (loose) connective tissue 2. Reticular layer composed of dense irregular connective tissue Papillary Layer

Reticular Layer

Relationship between epidermis and dermis

Thick Skin Low Magnification

Epidermis
P

Dermis

R = Reticular Layer of dermis P = Papillary Layer of dermis

Papillary Layer (Dermal Papilla)


Location:
Interface between dermis and epidermis

Description:
Projection of papillary (external) layer of dermis Forms core of epidermal ridge Numerous and often branched Contains capillary loops

Function:
Provides nourishment to avascular epidermis

APR 3.0 Module 4. Integumentary (Histology) Topic: Thick skin View: LM: Low Magnification

Reticular Layer
Deep layer of dermis composed of dense irregular connective tissue Dense concentration of collagen and elastin gives skin strength Elastic fibers provide stretch-recoil properties
Cleavage lines in this layer produce the visible lines in our skin (Langers lines) Cuts heal faster when the incision is made parallel Flexure lines create the folds in our skin. Tears in this layer lead to stretch marks

Reticular Layer

APR 3.0 Module 4. Integumentary (Histology) Topic: Thick skin View: LM: Low Magnification

Hypodermis (Subcutaneous layer)


Not a part of the skin, but connects skin to the muscles which lie beneath Composed of areolar (loose) connective tissue and adipose tissue Functions: Absorbs shock Prevents heat loss from body; insulates the deep body structures Common site of drug injection because extensive vascular network allows for rapid absorption

Sub Q

Summary of Skin Layers

Partial-Thickness First-degree

Burns of the Skin

Only the epidermis is damaged Symptoms include localized redness, swelling, and pain Heals in 2 3 days = sunburn

Second-degree
Epidermis and upper regions of dermis are damaged Symptoms mimic first degree burns, but BLISTERS also appear; healing in 3 4 weeks

Full-Thickness = Third-degree
Entire thickness of the skin is damaged Burned area appears gray-white, cherry red, or black; There is no initial edema or pain (since nerve endings are destroyed) Heals from the edges inward Fluid loss is great, grafting often necessary in larger burns

Rule of Nines
Estimates the severity of burns Burns considered critical if:
Over 25% of the body has second-degree burns Over 10% of the body has third-degree burns There are third-degree burns on face, hands, or feet

Different areas of the body are calculated as specific percentages (see figure)

Appendages of the Skin

Different types prevent overheating of the body, secrete cerumen, and secrete milk Eccrine/Merocrine sweat glands found in palms, soles of the feet, and forehead. This sweat is water-like Apocrine sweat glands found in axillary and genital areas. This sweat contains fat and protein leading to body odor Ceruminous glands modified apocrine glands in external ear canal that secrete cerumen (ear wax) Mammary glands specialized apocrine glands that secrete milk.

Sweat Glands

Merocrine Sweat Gland Low Magnification

SD SwG = Sweat Gland SD = Sweat Gland Duct

SwG

Sebaceous Glands
Simple alveolar (holocrine) secrete sebum (oil) Most commonly found on face, neck and trunk Not present on palms or soles

Function - softens and lubricates hair & skin bactericidal


Controlled by hormones androgens; become active during puberty

Sebaceous Gland Low Magnification

AP

AP = Arrector Pili SeG = Sebaceous Gland


AP

AP

SeG

Summary of Glands of Skin

Hair & Hair Follicle


Shaft = superficial portion of hair; above epidermis Root sheath extending from the epidermal surface into the dermis (epidermal cells) Deep end is expanded forming a hair bulb (location of active production of hair) Hair Papilla = indentation of hair bulb containing blood vessels A knot of sensory nerve endings (a root hair plexus) wraps around each hair bulb

Bending a hair stimulates these endings, hence our hairs act as sensitive touch receptors Arrector pili - bundle of smooth muscle cells, makes hair stand on end, goose bumps, fear, insulation purposes, sympathetic nervous system

Hair Follicle Medium Magnification

H = Hair HB = Hair Bulb H

HB

Summary of Hair

Sensory Receptors in Skin


Meissners (Tactile) corpuscle - superficial part of dermis (dermal papillae); touch,
tickle

Pacinian (Lamellated) corpuscle - larger and deeper in dermis/hypodermis; pressure Bare nerve endings (Afferent nerve endings)- pain sensation, heat and cold are also
perceived here.

Skin Model in Lab - Key


E = Epidermis D = Dermis H = Hypodermis SeG = Sebaceous Gland AP = Arrector Pili HF = Hair Follicle A = Adipose SB = Stratum Basale SD = Sweat Gland Duct SwG = Sweat Gland BV = Blood Vessels HP = Hair Papilla HB = Hair Bulb SC = Stratum Corneum M = Meissners Corpuscle P = Pacinian Corpuscle

This model will be part of P1

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