Chapter Four: Integumentary System

Introduction

• Chapter four focuses on the integumentary system, which includes skin, nails, hair, and associated glands.
• This chapter is part of a unit including chapters 4, 14, and 15.
• The integumentary system is essential for protection, temperature regulation, and vitamin D production.

Fun Facts

• Humans shed about 40 pounds of skin in a lifetime.
• The skin has 20 square feet on average in adults, making it the largest organ.

Anatomy of the Integumentary System

Functions

• Protects against bacteria and organisms.
• Prevents water loss and protects from UV light.
• Assists in body temperature regulation and vitamin D production.

Components

• Epidermis: The outer layer, composed of keratin, no blood vessels.
• Dermis: The inner layer, contains blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands.
• Glands:
  • Sweat glands (Sudoriferous glands): Coiled structures for sweat secretion.
  • Oil glands (Sebaceous glands): Secrete sebum, can cause acne.
• Accessory structures:
  • Hair and nails, composed of keratinized cells.

Medical Terminology

Combining Forms

• Cutane/o, derm/o, dermat/o: Skin
• Hidr/o: Sweat
• Kerat/o: Horny tissue (hard tissue)
• Onych/o, ungu/o: Nail
• Seb/o: Oil

Prefixes and Suffixes

• Prefixes: Epi- (above), Intra- (within), Para- (beside), Per- (through), Sub- (under), Trans- (across)
• Suffixes:
  • -ectomy: Removal
  • -itis: Inflammation
  • -plasty: Surgical repair
  • -rrhea: Flow or discharge
  • -tome: Instrument to cut

Diseases and Disorders

From Word Parts

• Dermatoconiosis: Skin condition caused by dust.
• Onychomycosis: Fungal infection of the nail.
• Seborrhea: Excessive discharge of sebum.

Not From Word Parts

• Abrasion: Scrape on the skin.
• Abscess: Collection of pus.
• Albinism: Lack of melanin pigment.
• Cellulitis: Inflammation of skin and subcutaneous tissue.
• Contusion: Bruise.
• Eczema: Non-infectious inflammatory skin condition.
• Psoriasis: Chronic skin condition with silvery scales.
• Vitiligo: White patches on the skin due to melanin loss.

Surgical Terms

From Word Parts

• Biopsy: Viewing a sample of tissue.
• Dermatoheteroplasty: Skin grafting from another person.
• Rhytidectomy: Removal of wrinkles.

Not From Word Parts

• Cauterization: Destroying tissue with heat or cold.
• Cryosurgery: Using extreme cold to remove tissue.

Complementary Terms

• Alopecia: Hair loss.
• Cicatrix: Scar.
• Jaundice: Yellow skin due to liver issues.
• Pallor: Paleness.

Abbreviations

• BCC: Basal Cell Carcinoma
• SCC: Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Conclusion

• This chapter provides an in-depth understanding of the integumentary system, its diseases, disorders, and surgical treatments.
• Encouraged to review exercises and use flashcards for memorizing terms.