Body Membranes
Body Membranes
Body Membranes
Body Membranes
Body membranes cover surfaces, line body
cavities, and form protective sheets around
organs
Fall into two major groups :
1. epithelial membranes
include cutaneous, mucous, and serous
membranes
2. connective tissue membranes
◦ Represented by synovial membranes
Body Membranes
The functions of body membranes:
1. line or cover body surfaces
2. protect body surfaces
3. lubricate body surfaces
Epithelial Membranes
Calling these “epithelial” is inaccurate
Do contain an epithelial sheet, but it is
always combined with an underlying layer
of connective tissue
These are simple organs
Epithelial Membranes
Epithelial membranes (covering and lining
membranes) including:
1. Cutaneous membrane
2. Mucous membranes
3. Serous membrane
Cutaneous Membranes
The Skin:
◦ Exposed to air
◦ Dry membrane
The superficial epidermis
◦ keratinizing stratified squamous
epithelium
The underlying dermis
◦ mostly dense fibrous connective tissue
Mucous Membranes
Surface epithelium
type depends on site
Synovial membrane
Connective tissue only
Lines fibrous capsules surrounding joints
Provide:
◦ Smooth surface
◦ Secrete lubricating fluid
Synovial Membrane
Connective Tissue Membranes
Synovial membrane
◦ Also line bursae and tendon sheaths
◦ Cushion organs moving against each
other during muscle activity
Integumentary System
Skin (cutaneous membrane)
Skin derivatives
◦ Sweat glands
◦ Sebaceous glands
◦ Hairs
◦ Nails
Skin Functions
Protects deeper tissues from:
◦ Mechanical damage
◦ Chemical damage
◦ Bacterial damage
◦ Thermal damage
◦ Ultraviolet radiation
◦ Desiccation
Skin Functions
The uppermost layer of the skin is full of
keratin and is cornified, or hardened, to
help prevent water loss from the body
surface
Skin Functions
Protects deeper tissues
Aids in heat regulation
◦ Capillary network and sweat glands
Aids in excretion of urea and uric acid
◦ Urea, salts, water
Synthesizes Vitamin D
◦ Modified cholesterol molecules in the skin are
converted to Vitamin D by sunlight
Cutaneous Sensory Receptors
◦ Tiny sensors detect touch, pressure,
temperature and pain
Skin Structure
Epidermis – outer layer
◦ Stratified squamous epithelium
◦ Often keratinized
Dermis
◦ Dense connective tissue
Skin Structure
Skin Structure
Epidermis and dermis are firmly connected
A burn or friction may cause them to separate
Interstitial fluid accumulates, forms blister
Skin Structure
Deep to the dermis is the hypodermis
(subcutaneous tissue)
Not part of the skin
Anchors skin to underlying organs
Composed mostly of adipose tissue
Epidermis
Composed of up to five layers:
◦ Stratum basale
◦ Stratum spinosum
◦ Stratum granulosum
◦ Stratum lucidum
◦ Stratum corneum
Epidermis
Composition:
◦ Mostly water
◦ Some metabolic wastes (ammonia, urea, etc.)
◦ Fatty acids and proteins (apocrine only)
Function:
◦ Helps dissipate excess heat
◦ Excretes waste products
◦ Acidity decreases bacterial growth
Odor is from associated bacteria
Hair structures
Hair follicle
◦ Dermal and epidermal sheath surround hair
root
Arrector pili
◦ Smooth muscle
◦ Cause hair to stand up
◦ Goosebumps (piloerection)
Sebaceous gland
◦ Lubricates hair
Sweat gland
Nails
Scale-like modifications of the
epidermis
◦ Highly keratinized
Stratum basale extends beneath the
nail bed
◦ Responsible for growth
Lack of pigment makes them colorless
Infections
Athlete’s Foot
◦ Medically known as tinea pedis
◦ Caused by a fungal infection
◦ Thrives in warm, moist areas
◦ Contagious by contact
Infections
Boils and Carbuncles
◦ Inflammation of hair follicles and
sebaceous glands
◦ Caused by bacterial infection
Infections
Cold sores
◦ Caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus
◦ Can remain dormant for extended periods of
time
Infections
Impetigo
◦ Caused by bacterial infection (staph)
◦ Highly contagious
◦ Common in elementary children
Allergies
Contact dermatitis
◦ Exposure to substance causes an allergic
reaction
◦ Ex. poison ivy
Allergies
Psoriasis
◦ Chronic, autoimmune condition
◦ Can be disfiguring
◦ Attacks are often triggered by trauma,
infection, stress or hormonal changes
Burns
Burn: tissue damage and cell death
caused by heat, electricity, UV
radiation (sunburns) or chemicals
Burns – Rule of Nines
Way of determining the extent of
burns (how much of the body is
burned)
Second – Degree
Third-Degree
1st degree burns
Only the epidermis is damaged
(superficial)
Skin is red and swollen
No blistering
Minimal pain
Usually heals in a week or less