Basic Structure of the Skin
1. Complete the following statements by writing the appropriate word or phrase on the correspondingly numbered blank:
The Integumentary System
The two basic tissues of which the skin is composed are dense irregular
connective tissue, which makes up the dermis, and 1 , which forms the epi-
dermis. The tough water-repellent protein found in the epidermal cells is called
2 . The pigments melanin and 3 contribute to skin color. A localized
concentration of melanin is referred to as a 4 .
1. _____________________________
2. _____________________________
3. _____________________________
4. _____________________________
2. Four protective functions of the skin are
a. ____________________________________________ c. _________________________________________
b. ____________________________________________ d. _________________________________________
3. Using the key choices, choose all responses that apply to the following descriptions.
Key: a. stratum basale d. stratum lucidum g. reticular layer
b. stratum corneum e. stratum spinosum h. epidermis as a whole
c. stratum granulosum f. papillary layer i. dermis as a whole
1. translucent cells in thick skin containing keratin fibrils
2. dead cells
3. dermal layer responsible for fingerprints
4. vascular region
5. major skin area that produces derivatives (nails and hair)
6. epidermal region exhibiting the most rapid cell division
7. scalelike dead cells, full of keratin, that constantly slough off
8. mitotic cells filled with intermediate filaments
9. has abundant elastic and collagenic fibers
10. location of melanocytes and Merkel cells
11. area where weblike pre-keratin filaments first appear
12. region of areolar connective tissue
E X E R C I S E
R E V I E W S H E E T
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46 Review Sheet 7
4. Label the skin structures and areas indicated in the accompanying diagram of thin skin. Then, complete the statements that
follow.
Subcutaneous
tissue or
(deep pressure receptor)
Stratum
Stratum
Stratum
Stratum
Reticular layer
Blood vessel
Adipose cells
Layers
a. granules extruded from the keratinocytes prevent water loss by diffusion through
the epidermis.
b. Fibers in the dermis are produced by .
c. Glands that respond to rising androgen levels are the glands.
d. Phagocytic cells that occupy the epidermis are called .
e. A unique touch receptor formed from a stratum basale cell and a nerve fiber is a .
f. What layer is present in thick skin but not in thin skin?
g. What cell-to-cell structures hold the cells of the stratum spinosum tightly together?
