Structure and Functions of Skin – PST04103 Human Anatomy and Physiology
NTA Level 4 • Semester 1 • PST04103 Structure and Functions of Skin Human Anatomy and Physiology • Source Session/Topic 11 Full source-text version: all educational wording from the extracted learning source is retained; only presenter/tutor metadata and web-layout noise are removed, while formatting is improved for readability. Session 11: Structure and Functions of Skin Total Session Time: 60 minutes • None Students Learning Tasks By the end of this session students are expected to be able to: • Define Skin • Describe the Structure of the Skin • Explain the Functions of the Skin Resources Needed: • Flip charts, marker pens, and masking tape • Black/white board, chalk and whiteboard markers • Overhead Projector and Transparencies or Slide Projector/LCD and Computer • Handout 11.1: Layers of the Skin SESSION OVERVIEW |Step |Time |Activity/ |Content | | | |Method | | |1 |05 minutes |Presentation |Introduction, Learning Tasks | |2 |05 minutes |Presentation |Definition of the skin | | | |buzzing | | |3 |15 minutes |Presentation |Structure of the Skin | |4 |25 minutes |Presentation | Functions of the Skin | | | |Brainstorming | | |5 |05 minutes |Presentation |Key Points | |6 |05 minutes |Presentation |Evaluation | SESSION CONTENTS STEP 1: Presentation of Session Title and Learning Tasks (5 minutes) READ or ASK students to read the learning tasks and clarify ASK students if they have any questions before continuing STEP2: Definition of the Skin (05minutes) |Activity: Buzzing (5 minutes) | | | |ASK students to pair up and buzz on the following question for 2 | |minutes | | | |What is the skin? | | | |ALLOW few pairs to respond and let other pairs to add on points not | |mentioned | | | |WRITE their response on the flip chart/board | | | |CLARIFY and SUMMARIZE by using the content below | Skin: • Is the thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the body of a person or animal o The body's outer covering, which protects against heat and light, injury, and infection. o Skin regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D. o The skin, which weighs about 6 pounds, is the body's largest organ. STEP 3: Structure of the Skin (15minutes) • Integumentary means covering, it covers the outside of the body. • The integumentary system consists of the skin and the accessory structures such as hair nails and glands. • The appearance of the integumentary system can indicate physiological imbalances in the body. • Disorders of other parts of the body can be reflected there. Structure of the skin • The skin is made up of the two major tissue layers o Dermis o Epidermis Dermis • The dermis is divided into two layers o The deeper reticular layer, is dense irregular connective tissue, is the main layer of the dermis consisting of layers of interlacing collagen fibers o This layer is of elastic and collagens are oriented more in some areas than others creating tension lines (cleavage lines) and wrinkle lines in the skin o The more superficial papillary is called from projections called papillae that extend toward the epidermis o It is less dense than reticular and sometimes called loose connective tissue, it also contain large number of blood vessels o These fibers provide skin tone and account for the strength and toughness of the skin o The pattern of collagen fibers in a particular region determines the characteristic o The deep layer of the dermis contains hair follicles, with their associated smooth arrector muscles and sebaceous glands o Contraction of the arrector muscles erects the hairs (causing goose bumps), thereby compressing the sebaceous glands and helping them secrete their oily product onto the skin o The dermis composed of , nerve endings, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands, and lymphatic vessels o Skin ligaments, consisting of numerous small fibrous bands, extend through the subcutaneous tissue and attach the deep surface of the dermis to the underlying deep fascia o The length and density of these ligaments determine the mobility of the skin over deep structures [pic]Handout 11.1: Layers of the Skin Epidermis: • A keratinized stratified (layered) epithelium with a tough outer surface composed of keratin (a fibrous protein). • The epidermis is made up of several layers (strata of cells) which extends from the deepest germinative layer to the surface stratum corneum namely: o Basal layer (stratum basale) o Spinous or prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum) o Granular layer (stratum granulosum) o Clear layer (stratum lucidum) o And cornified layer (stratum corneum) • The outer layer of the epidermis is continuously or rubbed away with replacement of new cells from the basal layer. • The cells of epidermis include: o Most of the cells are called keratinocytes because they produce protein called keratin o Melanocytes which contribute to skin colour o Langerhans’ cells which are part of immune system o Merkel’s which are specialized epidermal cells associated with nerve endings responsible for detecting light touch and superficial pressure o This process renews the epidermis of the entire body every 25 to 45 days o The epidermis is avascular (no blood vessels or lymphatics) and is nourished by the vessels in the underlying dermis o The skin is supplied by afferent nerve endings that are sensitive to touch, irritation (pain), and temperature o Most nerve terminals are in the dermis, but a few penetrate the epidermis [pic] Source: Standring, 2005 Figure 11.1: The Epidermis STEP 4: Functions of the Skin (25minutes) |Activity: Brainstorming (5 minutes) | | | |Ask students to brainstorm on the following question: | | | |What are the functions of the skin? | | | |ALLOW few students to respond | | | |WRITE their responses on the flip chart/ board | | | |CLARIFY and SUMMARISE by using the content below | • Protection for the body from environmental effects, such as: o Abrasions o Melanin absorb ultraviolet light and protect underlying tissue o Skin prevent