Activity 4

Integumentary System
1. Panaromic view of the Skin

2. Types of cells found in the epidermis

1. Keratinocytes
-cells undergo cytomorphosis in 15-30 days.
-Consist of about 90% of epidermal cells which are arrange in four or five layers and
produce the protein keratin.
-Keratinocytes produce lamellar granules which release a water repellant that
decreases water entry and loss and inhibits entry of foreign materials.
2. Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin. Melanin is a yellow-red or brown-
black pigment that contributes to skin color and absorbs damaging ultraviolet ligh.
Once inside keratinocytes the melanin granules cluster to form a protective veil
over the nucleus on the side toward the surface. In this way they shield the nuclear
DNA from damage by UV light.
3. Langerhans cells
-participate in immune responses mounted against microbes that invade theskin.
4. Merkel cells-least numerous of the epidermal cells. They are located in the
deepest layer of the epidermis where they contact the flattened process of a
sensory neuron called a tactile disc. Merkel cells and tactile disc detects different
aspect of sensation.
3. Layers of Epidermis
a) Stratum basale-deepest layer, composed of a single row of cuboidal or columnar
keratinocytes that contain scattered tonofilaments.
b) Stratum spinosum- flattened polyhedral cells; long axis parallel to basement
membrane; nucleus is in the same direction.
c) Stratum granulosum- 3-5 rows of flattened keratinocytes in which organelles are
beginning to degenerate; cells contain the protein keratohyalin which convert
tonofilaments into keratin and lamellar granules, which release a lipid-rich, water
repellant secretion.
d) Stratum lucidum- present only in the skin of fingertips, palms and soles; consist
of a thin layer of flattened cells closely compact eosinophilic, highly refractile cells
where keratinization is advanced.
E) Stratum corneum- consist of cells that have no nuclei no organelles. Cytoplasm is
filled up of mature keratin.
Layers of dermis
a) Papillary layer-consist of loose connective tissue beneath the basement
membrane; contain dermal papillae that houses capillaries, corpuscles of
touch and free nerve endings.
b) Reticular- consist of dense connective tissue with larger collagen fibers and
thicker, lesser number of cells. Arrector pili muscle are found in this layer so
with the deepest end of hair follicles and secretory units of sweat glands.
4. Differentiate between apocrine and Eccrine Glands
Eccrine apocrine
distribution Distributed throughout
gland Simple coiled tubular gland
Location Cuboidal epithelium, located
in the dermis with two types
of cells
Myoepithelial -between cells and
cells basement membrane
ducts -open at sweat pore on skin
surface
Viscosity -lees viscous, consist of
water,ions,urea, uric acis,
ammonia,amino acid
glucose and lactic acid.
Function -regulation of body
temperature and waste
removal.
-found in axilla, mons pubis,
bearded region of face, clitoris
and labia minora.
Simple coiled tubular gland
-cuboidal to squamous, can be
flattened, in dermal layer of skin
- at the base
-open into canal of hair follicles
- more viscous consist of the
same component as eccrine
sweat glands plus lipids and
proteins.
-stimulated during emotional
stress and sexual excitement.

5. Sensory receptors found in the skin

1. Free nerve endings- unmyelinated or unencapsulated; numerous in dermis and
epidermis up to stratum granulosum; receptors for pain and nociceptor.
2. Encapsulated or myelinated-
a) Pacinian corpuscle- ovoid or spherical terminal nerve ending and surrounded by
myelin.
-Pressure receptor
b) Meissner corpuscle- found in skin and finger of the toes; found in dermal papillae
-tactile receptor/touch receptor
c) Rufini endings- fusiform or spindle shape found in the skin over the joint.
-Stretch receptor
d) Kraus end bulb- spherical; send wild changes in temperature, cold and warm.

Minor Sensory
a) Golgi mazzoni- wild pain e.g itch
b) Genital corpuscle- for sexual stimulation
6.