Integumentary System
lecture 1
name for skin and its structures
skin called and organ cuz it contains several kinds of tissues.
called a system cuz it has organs and other parts that work together for a particular function.
on an average adult, skin covers more than 3000 square inches of surface area and accounts for about 15% of total body weight
Three layers
epidermis, dermis and subcutaneus (hypodermis)
Epidermis: outermost layer of the skin
made out of 5 smaller layers (no blood vessels or nerve cells)
stratum corneum (outermost layer)
these cells are constantly being shed and replaced by the new cells from the stratum germinativum
stratum germinativum: (intermost layer)
Dermis: called "true skin"
layer of all the elastic connective tissue, blood vessels, lymph vessles, nerves,involuntary muscle,sweat and oil glands and hair follicles
contain papillae which fit into ridges on the stratum germinatium of the epidermis
subcutaneous or hypodermis: inner most layer of the skin
made up of elastic, fibrous connective tissue along with a dipose tissue (fat)
Two main types of glands
suldorfarouse glands (sweat glands): are coiled tubes that extend through the dermis and open on the surface of your skin at air pores
sweat is ordorless-the smell caused from bacteria eating the sweat off your skin
sebaceous glands (oil glands): open up into hair follicles.
produce sebum,an oil that keeps skin and hair from becoming dry and brittle. It ads as an antibacterial and anti fungal secretion.
Functions of the skin
protection: uv rays, barrier to pathogens, moisture in to prevent deeper tissues from drying out
sensory perception: respond to pain,pressure,temp., and touch
regulation of body temp.: retain and lose heat, dilation and construction of blood vessels,sweat
storage: fat,glucose, water,vitamins and salts
absorption: medication can be absorbed through skin
excretion: salt,excess water and heat
production: vitamin D
skin color-pigmentation
skin color is inherited and is determined by pigments in the epidermis
melanin: a brownish,black pigment produced in the epidermis of the skin by specialized cells called melanocytes
Carotene: a yellowish red pigment
Lecture 2
Albino: a person who is absent of color pigment
they have a pinkish tint and hair is pale yellow,eyes lack color and they are very sensitive to light.
Abnormal skin color
Erythema: reddish color caused by burns or congestion of blood vessels
Jaundice: yellow discoloration caused by the presence of bile in blood.
cyanosis: bluish discoloration caused by lack of oxygen.
Skin Eruptions
vesicles: blisters or scacs full of fluid
Papules: firm raised areas of the skin
crust/scabs: areas of dried pus and blood
Pustules: sacs filled with pus
macules: itchy, elevated areas with an irregular shape (insect bite)
Ulcer: Deep loss of skin surface that may extend into the dermis
Diseases and Abnormal Conditions
Impetigo: contagious skin infection characterized by yellow crusty sores -strptococci
Lesions: should be washed with soap and water and kept dry.
Antibiotics both topical and oral are treatments
warts/verrucae: viral infection characterized by rough, hard, elevated area on the skin
plantar warts: some disappear on own, others have to be removed with electricity, liquid nitrogen,acid, chemicals or laser.
Dermatitis: inflammation of the skin caused by any substance that is irritating it.
treatment is aimed at eliminating the cause, and inflammatory ointments, antihistamines, and or steroids can be used as well.
Acne Vulgaris: inflammation of the sebaceous glands, cause is unknown, occurs at adolescents with hormonal changes.
papules,pustules and blackheads. Frequent through washing, avoid creams and heavy makeup
antibiotics or vitamin A, oral and antibiotics and ultraviolet light treatment may be recomended.
Athletes foot: contagious fungal infection, skin itches, blisters, and cracks open sores.
Treatment includes applying an antifungal medications and keeping feet clean and dry. -this is also jock itch
Psoriasis:chronic,noncontagious, inherited skin disease.
symptoms include thick,red areas covered with white or silver scales.
No cure- treatment includes coal/tar or cortisone ointments, uv light, and or scale removal.
Ringworm: highly contagious fungal infection of the skin or scalp
flat or raised circular area with a clear central area surrounded by an itchy,scaly, or crusty outer ring.
Antifungal medication oral and topical are used for treatment
Lecture 3
Eczema: noncontagious, inflammatory skin disorder caused by an allergen or irritant
diet,cosmetics,soaps,medication, and emotional stress can cause it
symptoms include dryness, erythema,edema,itching,vesicles,crust and scaling.
treatment-remove the irritant, and apply cortiuosteriods
Alopecia: baldness (permanent hair loss on scalp) -genetics
Boils: are a rather more deep seated infection of the skin, often caused by staphyloccus. They can cause painful red swellings.
treatment is with oral antibiotics and occasionally incision and drainage
Hives: (medically known as verticaria) are red, itchy,raisedareas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes.
They range is size from a dew mm to several inches in diameter. They can be round, or they can form rings or large patches.
Wheal (welts), red lesions witha red "flare" at the borders, are another manifestation of hives. Hives can occcur anywhere of the body, such as the trunk,arms and legs.
Scabies: lesions on the skin that usually cause intensive itching on the pt. Mites are the primary cause.
There are two types of treatments: first is topical and second is oral
cancer(skin)
Basal cell carcinoma: cancer of the basal cells in the epidermis. slow growing and does not usually spread
Squamous cell carcinoma: thin cells of the epithelium but can spread quicky to other area of the body. Lesions start off small,flat,firm and later scale and crust.
melanoma: cancer of the melanocytes of the epidermis and s the most dangerous type of skin cancer. Lesions can be mulitcolored.
Decubitus Ulcers: also caused by pressure core or bedsore, is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of the body.
an ulcer is easier to prevent than to treat.
areas on the body prone to pressure
Benefits of proper alignment and turning/re positioning
alignment: prevention of fatigue, pressure ulcers and contractures
turning/repostitoning: prevention of pressure ulcers and hypostatic puemonia