Histology of Integumentary System

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M.Phil.)

SKIN
It is the largest organ, about 16 % of the total body weight. It is composed of two layers: epidermis and dermis. Skin also contains several appendages (sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceous glands and nails). The skin and its appendages are collectively called as integument.

Functions of the Skin

1. 2. 3. Protection of body from invasion of pathogens; prevention of tissue damage by toxic chemicals and ultraviolet light Prevention of dehydration and loss of body fluids (impermeable to water) Regulation of body temperature (production and excretion of sweat, vascular shunts) Sensation of touch, pain, temperature, pressure, and vibration; important for communication, dexterity, and injury prevention Immunological function of Langerhans cells (antigen-presenting cells) present antigens to lymphocytes in the immune responses Production of vitamin D from precursors under the effects of sunlight (UV rays) Absorption of creams and ointments Secretion of sebum

4.
5. 6. 7. 8.

EPIDERMIS
It is superficial layer of skin. It is primarily of ectodermal origin It is stratified squamous keratinized epithelium Devoid of blood supply. It is constantly being regenerated (renewed every 15- 30 days). It is has got two types of cells: keratinocytes and nonkeratinocytes. Keratinocytes are the predominant cell type Non-keratincytes include: melanocytes, Langerhans cells and Merkel cells.

LAYERS OF EPIDERMIS
It consists of following 5 strata (layers): 1. Stratum basale 2. Stratum spinosum 3. Stratum granulosum 4. Stratum lucidum 5. Stratum corneum

The basal layer (stratum basale)

Also called as st. germinativum. It is a single layer of basophilic low columnar cells. It rests on basal lamina at the dermal-epidermal junction . Hemidesmosomes bind these cells to the basal lamina and desmosomes bind the cells of this layer together in their lateral and upper surfaces. This layer has got intense mitotic activity . *** All keratinocytes in the st. basale contain intermediate filaments (keratins).

The spinous layer (stratum spinosum)

It is normally the thickest epidermal layer It consists of irregular polyhedral cells having central nuclei with nucleoli and cytoplasm actively synthesizing keratin filaments. Just above the st. basale some cells may still divide in st. spinosum Stratum Malpighii = st. basale+ st.spinosum The keratin filaments form microscopically visible bundles called tonofibrils which converge and terminate at the numerous desmosomes, by which the cells are joined together strongly to resist friction. False spiny appearance of these cells is produced during the preparation of the tissue for microscopy The epidermis of soles of the feet and palms of hand has a thicker st. spinosum with more abundant tonofibrils and desmosomes.

MEDICAL APPLICATION
In adults, one third of all cancers are of the skin. Most of these derive from cells of the basal or spinous layers, producing, respectively, basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Fortunately both types of tumors can be diagnosed and excised early and consequently are rarely lethal. Skin cancer shows an increased incidence in fair-skinned individuals residing in regions with high amounts of solar radiation.

The granular layer (stratum granulosum)

This layer consists of 35 layers of flattened polygonal cells. Nuclei of the cell show degeneration. Cell organelles are lost by autophagy. Their cytoplasm is filled with intensely basophilic masses called keratohyaline granules. These structures are not membrane-bound and consist of dense masses of filaggrin and other proteins that associate with the keratins , linking them into large cytoplasmic structures in the process of keratinization. These cells also contain membrane-coated lamellar granules, small ovoid structures containing many lamellae composed of various lipids. Lamellar granules undergo exocytosis, discharging their contents into the intercellular spaces of the stratum granulosum. The layer of lipid is a major component of epidermal barrier against the loss of water from skin.

The stratum lucidum

The stratum lucidum is only seen in thick skin, where it consists of a thin, translucent layer of extremely flattened and eosinophilic cells. The nuclei and organelles have been lost the cytoplasm consists almost only of densely packed keratin filaments embedded in an electron-dense matrix called eleidin which is a derivative of keratohyaline. Desmosomes are still evident between adjacent cells.

The stratum corneum

This layer consists of 1520 layers of flattened, non-nucleated keratinized cells whose cytoplasm is filled with filamentous keratins. These cells are devoid of nuclei and organelles. After keratinization, the cells contain only fibrillar and amorphous proteins with thickened plasma membranes and are called squames or horny, cornified cells (corneocytes). These cells are continuously shed at the surface of the st. corneum.

MEDICAL APPLICATION
In psoriasis, a common skin disease, there is an increase in the number of proliferating cells in the st. basale and the st. spinosum as well as a decrease in the cycle time of these cells. This results in greater epidermal thickness and more rapid renewal of epidermis, but also can produce abnormal keratinization with a defective skin barrier.