3 Integumentary

unit
System

I. The skin is composed of three different layers, the superficial epidermis, middle
dermis, and the deepest layer the hypodermis (also referred to as superficial fascia, or
subcutaneous layer). Be able to identify the following structures of the skin on models,
histological slides, and diagrams:

A. Epidermis - the epidermis is layered; thin skin possesses four layers, while thick skin
has five.

What type of epithelium is the epidermis?__________________________

1. stratum germinativum (basale)

a. Name two cell types found in this layer
1.

2.

2. stratum spinosum
a. Name one cell type found in this layer

b. What feature of this layer gives it its name?

3. stratum granulosum
a. What characteristic of these cells gives this layer its name?

4. stratum lucidum
a. Which type of skin lacks this layer?

5. stratum corneum

B. Dermis - like the epidermis the dermis is layered, but has only two layers.
1. papillary layer (areolar connective tissue)
a. dermal papillae

2. reticular layer (dense irregular connective tissue)

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C. Hypodermis - unlike the two more superficial layers of the skin, the hypodermis is
not layered. It consists mostly of areolar and adipose tissue, blood vessels, and some
sensory receptors. The hypodermis may also contain Pacinian corpuscles.

D. Glands - you will need to be familiar with the distribution of each type and generally
what they secrete.
1. sebaceous
2. sudoriferous
a. appocrine
b. eccrine

E. Sense receptors - for each, you should know their location and general function.
1. Meissner’s corpuscles
2. Pacinian corpuscles
3. Ruffini endings (bulbous corpuscles)
4. free nerve endings
5. root hair plexus

F. Hair
1. root
2. bulb
3. shaft
4. arrector pili muscle

Use the space below to draw and label a section of skin:

Unit 3 • Integumentary System 21

INTEGUMENTARY STUDY QUESTIONS

1. In which layer of skin are Meissner’s corpuscles found? _____________________

2. Name the 5 layers of the epidermis found in thick skin in order from most
superficial to deepest.

A. __________________________

B. __________________________

C. __________________________

D. __________________________

E. __________________________

3. Name the 3 primary structures that constitute a hair follicle.

A. __________________________

B. __________________________

C. __________________________

4. Name the 2 glands found in the reticular layer of the skin.

A. __________________________

B. __________________________