INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Published on 19/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Pathology

Last modified 22/04/2025

Print this page

rate 1 star rate 2 star rate 3 star rate 4 star rate 5 star
Your rating: none, Average: 2 (1 votes)

This article have been viewed 4785 times

11 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

The integument is the largest organ of the body. It consists of two components: (1) the skin and (2) the epidermal derivatives, such as nails, hair, and glands (sweat and sebaceous glands and the mammary gland).

The skin is of particular significance in a clinical physical examination. For example, the color of the skin may indicate the existence of a pathologic condition: a yellow color indicates jaundice; a blue-gray color may indicate cyanosis, reflecting a pathologic condition of cardiovascular and respiratory function; a pale color is indicative of anemia; lack of skin pigmentation suggests albinism, a genetic trait characterized by lack of the enzyme tyrosinase, involved in the conversion of the amino acid tyrosine to melanin. Many infectious and immunologic diseases produce characteristic skin changes leading to a correct diagnosis. In addition, the skin has diseases peculiar to itself.

The skin has several functions: (1) protection (mechanical function); (2) as a water barrier; (3) regulation of body temperature (conservation and dissipation of heat); (4) nonspecific defense (barrier to microorganisms); (5) excretion of salts; (6) synthesis of vitamin D; (7) as a sensory organ; and (8) sexual signaling.

General organization and types of skin

The skin consists of three layers firmly attached to one another (Figure 11-1): (1) the outer epidermis—derived from ectoderm; (2) the deeper dermis—derived from mesoderm; and (3) the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer—corresponding to the superficial fascia of gross anatomy.

Skin is generally classified into two types: (1) thick skin and (2) thin skin.

Thick skin (more than 5 mm thick) covers the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet and has a thick epidermis and dermis. Thin skin (1 to 2 mm in thickness) lines the rest of the body; the epidermis is thin.

The surface of the skin of the palms and soles and digits of the hands and feet has narrow epidermal ridges separated by furrows. Each epidermal ridge corresponds to an underlying dermal papilla. Ridges and papillae are permanent, have a constant pattern, and are unique to each individual. Impressions of the ridges create fingerprint patterns, useful for forensic identification.

The epidermis and dermis display a tight fit interface at the dermal-epidermal junction, where a basal lamina and hemidesmosomes are located. A primary epidermal ridge interlocks with a subjacent primary dermal ridge (see Figure 11-1). An epidermal interpapillary peg, projecting downward from the primary epidermal ridge, interlocks with the primary dermal ridge, which is subdivided into two secondary dermal ridges. A number of dermal papillae project upward from the surface of each secondary dermal ridge into the epidermal region, interlocking with downward projections of the epidermis. This arrangement is predominant in hairless thick skin. Dermal papillae are numerous and branched. In thin skin, papillae are low and their number is reduced.

EPIDERMIS

The stratified squamous epithelial layer of the epidermis consists of four distinct cell types (Figure 11-2):

Keratinocytes are arranged in five layers or strata: (1) the stratum basale (basal cell layer); (2) the stratum spinosum (spinous or prickle cell layer); (3) the stratum granulosum (granular cell layer); (4) the stratum lucidum (clear cell layer); and (5) the stratum corneum (cornified cell layer). The first cell layers consist of metabolically active cells; cells of the last two layers undergo keratinization, or cornification, a process that involves cellular and intercellular molecular changes.

Both the stratum basale and stratum spinosum form the stratum of Malpighi. The stratum basale (or stratum germinativum) consists of a single layer of columnar or high cuboidal keratinocytes resting on a basement membrane. The cytoplasm contains intermediate filaments associated with desmosomes. Bundles of intermediate filaments, visible under the light microscope, are called tonofilaments. Hemidesmosomes and associated intermediate filaments anchor the basal domain of basal cells to the basement membrane.

The cells of the stratum basale undergo mitosis. While some of the dividing cells add to the population of stem cells of the stratum basale, others migrate into the stratum spinosum to initiate the differentiation process, ending with the formation of the stratum corneum.

Clinical significance: Wound healing

Skin is an efficient protective barrier. If a portion of epidermis is damaged or destroyed, it must be repaired rapidly by a sequential mechanism called wound healing. This mechanism consists of four stages: (1) the formation of a fibrin-platelet clot; (2) leukocyte recruitment; (3) neovascularization and cellular proliferation; and (4) tissue remodeling.

Wound healing starts with the formation of a blood clot covering temporarily the open wound. We discussed in Chapter 6, Blood and Hematopoiesis, that the blood clot consists of platelets embedded in a fibrous mesh of cross-linked fibrin molecules formed when thrombin cleaves fibrinogen.

We discussed in Chapter 6 that platelets contain platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) stored in alpha granules. PDGF and other growth factors are released when platelets degranulate and leukocytes arrive at the wound site. Keratinocytes and endothelial cells express cytokine CXC (for cysteine-x-cysteine) and CXC receptor, which recruit neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes to the wound site. A deletion of CXC receptor gene results in delayed wound healing.

Neutrophils arrive within minutes of injury and release proinflammatory cytokines to activate local fibroblasts in the dermis and keratinocytes in the epidermis. Monocytes are recruited next and become macrophages, which produce cytokines, growth factors, and angiogenic factors. New blood vessels develop (angiogenic response) and organize granulation tissue. The pink granular appearance of the granulation tissue is determined by the formation of numerous blood capillaries.

Reepithelialization starts when keratinocytes of the stratum basale layer migrate from the edges of the wound by the formation of F-actin–containing lamellopodia. We discuss in Chapter 1, Epithelium, that hemidesmosomes anchor basal cells to the basal lamina. Leading edge keratinocytes facilitate their displacement by disrupting hemidesmosome attachment to the basal lamina and by dissolving the fibrin clot barrier. To accomplish the dissolution of the fibrin clot, keratinocytes up-regulate the expression of plasminogen activator to convert plasminogen within the clot into the fibrinolytic enzyme plasmin. Keratinocytes become free from hemidesmosome anchorage with the help of members of the matrix metalloproteinase family produced by fibroblasts in the dermis. We discussed the importance of matrix metalloproteinases in Chapter 4, Connective Tissue.

Members of the epidermal growth factor family (including epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-α, and heparin binding epidermal growth factor) and keratinocyte growth factor drive re-epithelialization. After the wound surface has been covered by a monolayer of keratinocytes, a new stratified squamous epithelium is established from the margin of the wound toward the center. New hemidesmosomes are formed with the inactivation of matrix metalloproteinases.

Within 3 to 4 days after the wound injury, the underlying connective tissue of the dermis contracts, bringing the wound margins toward one another. Stimulated by local levels of PDGF and transforming growth factor-β, dermal fibroblasts begin to proliferate, infiltrate the blood clot, and deposit type III collagen and extracellular matrix. About 1 week after wounding, a number of wound fibroblasts change into myofibroblasts (resembling smooth muscle cells), wound contraction takes place, and healing with a scar occurs.

Retinol (vitamin A) is a precursor of retinoic acid, a hormone-like agent required for the differentiation of epithelia, including epidermis. Retinoids have a proliferative effect on the epidermis of normal skin. This effect is mediated at the messenger RNA (mRNA) level by inhibiting cell differentiation and stimulating cell proliferation.

Retinoic acid binds to cellular retinoic acid binding (CRAB) proteins, presumably involved in the regulation of the intracellular concentration of retinoic acid. Similar to steroid and thyroid hormones, retinoic acid binds to two types of nuclear receptors: retinoic acid receptors (RARs), and rexinoid receptors (RXRs).

The RAR/RXR heterodimer complex has binding affinity for retinoic acid–responsive elements (RAREs) on DNA and controls the expression of retinoic acid responsive genes. Retinoids are used in the prevention of acne scarring, psoriasis, and other scaling diseases of the skin.

Clinical significance: Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder. It is characterized by sharply demarcated plaques, called psoriatic plaques, covered by white scales commonly seen on the elbows, knees, scalp, umbilicus, and lumbar region. Physical trauma may produce psoriatic plaques at the sites of injury.

The histologic characteristics of the psoriatic plaque include excessive proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes (caused by an accelerated migration of keratinocytes from the stratum basale to the stratum corneum), presence of inflammatory cells (T cells and neutrophils) in the dermis and epidermis (microabscesses), elongation of epidermic papillae, and prominent angiogenesis (Figure 11-4).

Langerhans cells initiate the psoriatic process. The role of Langerhans cells in the activation of T cells in regional lymph nodes is summarized in Figure 11-4.

Cytokines play a significant role in the trafficking and distribution of T cells in the psoriatic skin. Effector T cells are characterized by the expression of the skin homing receptor cutaneous lymphocyte-associated (CLA) antigen and CD45. CD45+ CLA+ T cells arrive at sites of cutaneous inflammation, secrete proinflammatory cytokines, and produce the psoriatic plaques. Treatment of psoriasis is targeted to the therapeutic inhibition of T cell activation (determined by Langerhans cells in the lymph node), depletion of activated T cells (by monoclonal antibodies directed to cell surface molecules expressed by Langerhans cell–activated T cells), and preventing the recruitment of CD45+ CLA+ T cells (by monoclonal antibodies blocking specific homing).

Differentiation of a keratinocyte

Keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum have a flattened polygonal shape with a distinct ovoid nucleus. The cytoplasm displays small granules with a lamellar core, called membrane-coating granules, or lamellar bodies. Bundles of intermediate filaments—tonofibrils—extend into the cytoplasmic spinous-like processes and attach to the dense plaque of a desmosome.

The stratum granulosum consists of a multilayered assembly of flattened nucleated keratinocytes with characteristic, irregularly shaped keratohyalin granules without a limiting membrane and associated with the tonofilaments. The lamellar bodies, which first appear in keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum, increase in number in the stratum granulosum, and the lamellar product, the glycolipid acylglucosylceramide, is released into the intercellular spaces (Figure 11-5). Tight junctions, containing claudin-1 and claudin-4, are found in the stratum granulosum (Figure 11-6). In the intercellular space, the lamellar lipid material forms a multilayered structure arranged in wide sheets, coating the surface of keratinocytes of the upper layer, the stratum lucidum. The glycolipid coating provides the water barrier of the epidermis.

The stratum lucidum is recognized by some histologists as an intermediate layer above the stratum granulosum and beneath the stratum corneum. However, no distinctive cytologic features are significantly apparent.

Both the stratum lucidum and stratum corneum consist of several layers of keratinocytes without nuclei and a cytoplasm containing aggregated intermediate filaments of keratin cross-linked with filaggrin (see Figure 11-6) by a process catalyzed by transglutaminases. Filaggrin aggregates keratin intermediate filaments into tight bundles, leading to cell flattening, a characteristic of the stratum corneum.

The keratin-filaggrin complex is deposited on the inside of the plasma membrane forming a structure called the cornified cell envelope (Figure 11-7). Additional proteins—involucrin, small proline–rich proteins (SPRs), and loricrin—are cross-linked by several transglutaminases and reinforce the cornified cell envelope just beneath the plasma membrane. On the outside of the cell, a complex of lipids extruded from lamellar bodies cross-link the cell envelope, forming the compound cornified cell envelope.

In summary, keratinocytes of the stratum corneum consist of a keratin-filaggrin matrix surrounded by a reinforcing involucrin–SPRs–loricrin complex that provides elasticity and mechanical resistance. Extracellular insoluble lipids, cross-linked to involucrin, make the cell membrane impermeable to fluids (permeability barrier). See Box 11-A.

The terminally differentiated keratinocytes of the stratum corneum consist of flattened squames with a highly resistant compound cell envelope. Squames are sloughed from the surface of the epidermis and are continually replaced by keratinocytes of the inner strata.

Two additional characteristics of the epidermis are (1) the cell layer–specific expression of keratins observed during differentiation of keratinocytes (see Figure 11-5) and (2) the presence of tight junctions and desmosomes in the epidermis. The maintenance of a three-dimensional lattice of tightly attached keratinocytes is essential for the protective nature of the permeability barrier.

In Chapter 1, Epithelium, we discussed the structure and components of tight junctions, desmosomes, and intermediate filament keratins, including pathologic conditions such as blistering, epidermolytic, and proliferative diseases (Box 11-B).

Melanocytes

Melanocytes are branching cells located in the stratum basale of the epidermis (Figure 11-8; see Figure 11-3). Melanocytes derive from melanoblasts, a cell precursor migrating from the neural crest.

The development of the melanoblast into melanocytes is under the control of the ligand stem cell factor interacting with the c-kit receptor, a membrane-bound tyrosine kinase. The development of mast cells, primordial germinal cells, and hematopoietic stem cells is also dependent on the interaction of stem cell factor with the c-kit receptor.

Melanocytes enter the developing epidermis and remain as independent cells without desmosome attachment to the differentiating keratinocytes. The turnover of melanocytes is slower than that of keratinocytes.

Melanocytes produce melanin, contained in melanosomes, which are transferred to neighboring keratinocytes through their branching cell processes, called melanocyte dendrites, and released by cytocrine secretion (Figure 11-9; Box 11-C).

Melanin is initially stored in a membrane-bound premelanosome derived from the Golgi apparatus. Melanin is produced by oxidation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) by the enzyme tyrosinase. DOPA is then transformed to melanin, which accumulates in melanosomes, the mature melanin granules that are distributed along the melanocyte dendrites.

Cytocrine secretion is preceded by the transport of melanosomes along cytoplasmic microtubules by the motor protein kinesin. Melanosomes are then transferred to a network of F-actin tracks located beneath the plasma membrane. Melanosome transfer occurs when melanophilin, an adapter protein, binds to Rab27a, a protein inserted in the melanosome membrane. The F-actin–based molecular motor myosin Va binds to the Rab27a-melanophilin complex and transports the melanosome to the plasma membrane. Extruded melanin by exocytosis is captured by adjacent keratinocytes and internalized by endocytosis. The molecular characteristics of the unconventional myosin V are discussed in Chapter 1, Epithelium.

In addition to melanocytes, melanin-producing cells are present in the choroid plexus, retina, and ciliary body of the eye. Albinism results from the inability of cells to form melanin. Griscelli syndrome is determined by mutations of the myosin Va gene. Patients with Griscelli syndrome have silvery hair, partial albinism, occasional neurologic defects, and immunodeficiency (due to a defective vesicular transport and secretion in cytolytic T cells). Similar pigmentation disorders are determined by mutations in the Rab27a and melanophilin genes.

Langerhans cells (dendritic cells)

Langerhans cells are bone marrow–derived cells present in the epidermis as immunologic sentinels, involved in immune responses, in particular the presentation of antigens to T cells (Figure 11-10).

Langerhans cells, containing an epidermal antigen, enter a lymphatic vessel in the dermis and migrate to a regional lymph node where they interact with T cells in the deep cortex (T cell zone). T cells, activated by the epidermal antigen, reenter the blood circulation, reach the site where the epidermal antigen is present, and release proinflammatory cytokines in an attempt to neutralize the antigen.

Similar to melanocytes, Langerhans cells have cytoplasmic processes (dendritic cells) extending among keratinocytes of the stratum spinosum without establishing desmosomal contact but associating with keratinocytes through E-cadherin. Langerhans cells express CD1a, a cell surface marker. CD1a mediates the presentation of nonpeptide antigens (for example, α-galactosylceramide) to T cells.

The nucleus of a Langerhans cell is indented, and the cytoplasm contains characteristic tennis racket–shaped inclusions (Birbeck granules) associated with the protein langerin. Langerin is a transmembrane C-type lectin (calcium-dependent) that facilitates the uptake of mannose-containing microbial fragments for their delivery to the endosomal compartment.

Langerhans cells use CD1a and langerin to trigger cellular immune responses to Mycobacterium leprae, the causative agent of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, a neurologic disease affecting the extremities. Myelin-producing Schwann cells are the primary target. In the early stages, infected individuals have skin nodules on the face and all over the body, followed by paralysis or loss of sensation in the affected areas, and eventually loss of fingers and toes. Blindness occurs in advanced stages of the disease. Multidrug therapy, consisting of rifampicin, clofazimine, and dapsone, is used to treat all cases of leprosy.

BLOOD AND LYMPHATIC SUPPLY

The cutaneous vascular supply has a primary function: thermoregulation. The secondary function is nutrition of the skin and appendages. The arrangement of blood vessels permits rapid modification of blood flow according to the required loss or conservation of heat.

Three interconnected networks are recognized in the skin (Figure 11-12):

The subpapillary plexus gives rise to single loops of capillaries within each dermal papilla. Venous blood from the subpapillary plexus drains into veins of the cutaneous plexus.

Branches of the hypodermic and cutaneous plexuses nourish the adipose tissue of the hypodermis, the sweat glands, and the deeper segment of the hair follicle.

Arteriovenous anastomoses (shunts) between the arterial and venous circulation bypass the capillary network. They are common in the reticular and hypodermic regions of the extremities (hands, feet, ears, lips, nose) and play a role in thermoregulation of the body. The vascular shunts, under autonomic vasomotor control, restrict flow through the superficial plexuses to reduce heat loss, ensuring deep cutaneous blood circulation. In some areas of the body (for example, the face), cutaneous blood circulation is also affected by an emotional state.

A special form of arteriovenous shunt occurring in the periphery is the glomus apparatus. The glomus consists of an endothelial-lined channel surrounded by cuboidal glomus cells and a rich nerve supply.

Lymphatic vessels are blind endothelial cell–lined spaces located below the papillary layer of the dermis, collecting interstitial fluid for return to the blood circulation. They also transport Langerhans cells to regional lymph nodes.

SENSORY RECEPTORS

Three categories of sensory receptors are present in the skin and other organs (Figure 11-13): (1) exteroceptors, (2) proprioceptors, and (3) interoceptors.

Exteroceptors provide information about the external environment. Proprioceptors are located in muscles (muscle spindle), tendons, and joint capsules and provide information about the position and movement of the body. Interoceptors provide sensory information from the internal organs of the body.

Another classification of sensory receptors is based on the type of stimulus to which a receptor responds: (1) mechanoreceptors, (2) thermoreceptors, and (3) nociceptors.

Mechanoreceptors respond to mechanical deformation of the tissue or the receptor itself (for example, stretch, vibration, pressure, and touch). The mechanoreceptors include both exteroceptors and proprioceptors.

Thermoreceptors respond to warmth or cold.

Nociceptors (or pain receptors) respond to painful stimuli. The skin and the subcutaneous tissue contain receptors that respond to stimuli such as touch, pressure, heat, cold, and pain.

The simplest mechanoreceptor is the naked nerve ending, which lacks a myelin covering. Naked nerve endings are found in the epidermis of the skin and the cornea of the eye. Naked nerve endings respond to light pressure and touch stimuli.

The second type of mechanoreceptor is the Merkel disk. The nerve ending of this receptor discriminates touch and forms a flattened discoid structure attached to the Merkel cell found in the stratum basale of the epidermis.

The third type of mechanoreceptor includes two encapsulated receptors: (1) the Meissner corpuscle and (2) the pacinian corpuscle.

The Meissner corpuscle is found in the dermal papillae and accounts for one half the tactile receptors of the digits and hand. This receptor is well suited for the detection of shape and texture during active touch.

The pacinian corpuscle is found in the hypodermis, or deep dermis. It responds to transient vibratory stimuli and is the receptor for deep pressure.

The fourth type is the very sensitive peritrichial nerve ending wrapped around the base and shaft of the hair follicle. The movement of the hair is sufficient to stimulate the nerve ending of this receptor.

SKIN APPENDAGES: HAIR

During development, the epidermis and dermis interact to develop sweat glands and appendages, such as hairs. A hair follicle primordium (called the hair germ) forms as a cell aggregate in the basal layer of the epidermis, induced by signaling molecules derived from fibroblasts of the dermal mesoderm.

As basal epidermal cell clusters extend into the dermis, dermal fibroblasts form a small nodule (called a dermal papilla) under the hair germ. The dermal papilla pushes into the core of the hair germ, whose cells divide and differentiate to form the keratinized hair shaft. Melanocytes present in the hair germ produce and transfer melanin into the shaft.

A bulbous swelling (called the follicular bulb) on the side of the hair germ contains stem cells—clonogenic keratinocytes—that can migrate and regenerate the hair shaft, the epidermis, and sebaceous glands (Figure 11-14) in response to morphogenetic signals.

The first hair in the human embryo is thin, unpigmented, and spaced, and is called lanugo. Lanugo is shed before birth and replaced by short colorless hair called vellus. Terminal hair replaces vellus, which remains in the so-called hairless parts of the skin (such as the forehead of the adult and armpits of infants).

Hair follicles are tubular invaginations of the epidermis responsible for the growth of hair. Hair follicles are constantly renewing, alternating phases of growth (anagen) with regression (catagen) and rest (telogen).

Each hair follicle consists of two parts (Figure 11-15): (1) the hair shaft and (2) the hair bulb.

The hair shaft is a filamentous keratinized structure present almost all over the body surface, except on the thick skin of the palms and soles, the sides of the fingers and toes, the nipples, and the glans penis and the clitoris, among others. A cross section of the hair shaft of thick hair reveals three concentric zones containing keratinized cells: (1) the cuticle, (2) the cortex, and (3) the medulla (the last is absent in thin hair). The hair shaft consists of hard keratin.

The hair bulb is the expanded end portion of the invaginated hair follicle. A vascularized connective tissue core (dermal papilla) projects into the hair bulb.

The hair shaft is surrounded by (1) the external root sheath, a downgrowth of the epidermis; and (2) the internal root sheath, generated by the hair bulb (the hair matrix), and is made up of three layers of soft keratin (which from the outside to the inside are Henle’s layer, Huxley’s layer, and the cuticle of the inner root sheath, adjacent to the cuticle of the hair shaft).

The keratinization of the hair and internal root sheath occurs in a region called the keratogenous zone, the transition zone between maturing epidermal cells and hard keratin. The external root sheath is not derived from the hair bulb.

The hair follicle is surrounded by a connective tissue layer and associated with the arrector pili muscle, a bundle of smooth muscle fibers aligned at an oblique angle to the hair follicle and attached to the follicular bulb. The autonomic nervous system controls the arrector pili muscle, which contracts during fear, strong emotions, and cold temperature.

The hair follicle is associated with sebaceous glands with their excretory duct connected to the lumen of the hair follicle. When the arrector pili muscle contracts, the hair stands up and forces sebum out of the sebaceous gland into the lumen of the hair follicle.

The color of the hair depends on the amount and distribution of melanin in the hair shaft. Few melanosomes are seen in blond hair. Few melanocytes and melanin are seen in gray hair. Red hair has a chemically distinct melanin, and melanosomes are round rather than ellipsoid.

A structure that is not recognized in routine histologic sections of hairs is the peritrichial nerve endings wrapped around the base of the hair follicle. The nerve is stimulated by hair movement (see Figure 11-13).

We discussed earlier in this chapter the participation of myosin Va in the transport of melanin-containing melanosomes to keratinocytes (called matrix cells in the hair bulb) and the lack of hair pigmentation in patients with Griscelli syndrome caused by mutations of myosin Va, Rab27a, and melanophilin genes.

GLANDS

The glands of the skin are (1) the sebaceous glands (Figure 11-16), (2) the sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine sweat glands) (Figures 11-17 and 11-18), and (3) the mammary glands. The mammary gland is discussed in Chapter 23, Fertilization, Placentation, and Lactation.

The sebaceous gland is a holocrine simple saccular gland extending over the entire skin except for the palms and soles. The secretory portion of the sebaceous gland lies in the dermis, and the excretory duct opens into the neck of the hair follicle. Sebaceous glands can be independent of the hairs and open directly on the surface of the skin of the lips, the corner of the mouth, the glans penis, the labia minora, and the mammary nipple.

The secretory portion of the sebaceous gland consists of groups of alveoli connected to the excretory duct by a short ductule. Each alveolus is lined by cells resembling multilocular adipocytes with numerous small lipid droplets. The excretory duct is lined by stratified squamous epithelium continuous with the external root sheath of the hair and the epidermis (the malpighian layer). The oily secretion of the gland (sebum) is released on the surface of the hair and the epidermis.

Sweat glands

There are two types of sweat glands: (1) eccrine (merocrine) sweat glands (see Figure 11-17) and (2) apocrine sweat glands (see Figure 11-18).

The eccrine sweat gland is a simple coiled tubular gland with a role in the control of body temperature. Eccrine sweat glands are innervated by cholinergic nerves. The secretory portion of the eccrine sweat gland (see Figure 11-17) is a convoluted tube composed of three cell types: (1) clear cells, (2) dark cells, and (3) myoepithelial cells.

The clear cells are separated from each other by intercellular canaliculi, show an infolded basal domain with abundant mitochondria, rest on a basal lamina, and secrete most of the water and electrolytes (mainly Na+ and Cl) of sweat.

The dark cells rest on top of the clear cells. Dark cells secrete glycoproteins.

Myoepithelial cells are found between the basal lamina and the clear cells.

The excretory portion of the eccrine sweat gland is lined by a bilayer of cuboid cells that partially reabsorb NaCl and water under the influence of aldosterone. The reabsorption of NaCl by the excretory duct is deficient in patients with cystic fibrosis (see next section). The duct follows a helical path when it approaches the epidermis and opens on its surface at a sweat pore. Within the epidermis, the excretory duct loses its epithelial wall and is surrounded by keratinocytes.

Apocrine sweat glands (see Figure 11-18) are coiled and occur in the axilla, mons pubis, and circumanal area. Apocrine sweat glands contain secretory acini larger than those in the eccrine sweat glands. The secretory portion is located in the dermis and hypodermis. The excretory duct opens into the hair follicle (instead of into the epidermis as in the eccrine sweat glands). Apocrine sweat glands are functional after puberty and are supplied by adrenergic nerves.

Two special examples of apocrine sweat glands are the ceruminous glands in the external auditory meatus and the glands of Moll of the margins of the eyelids.

The ceruminous glands produce cerumen, a pigmented lipid; the excretory duct opens, together with the ducts of sebaceous glands, into the hair follicles of the external auditory meatus.

The excretory duct of the glands of Moll opens into the free surface of the epidermis of the eyelid, or the eyelashes.

Clinical significance: Sweat glands and cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder of epithelial transport of Cl by the channel protein CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator), encoded by the cystic fibrosis gene located on chromosome 7.

Exocrine glands and the epithelial lining of the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and reproductive tracts are affected by a mutation of CFTR. Recurrent pulmonary infections, pancreatic insufficiency, steatorrhea, hepatic cirrhosis, intestinal obstruction, and male infertility are clinical features of cystic fibrosis.

The excretory ducts of sweat glands are lined by epithelial cells containing CFTR involved in the transport of Cl (Figure 11-19). The CFTR channel opens when an agonist, such as acetylcholine, induces an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), followed by activation of protein kinase A, production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) (see Chapter 3, Cell Signaling), and binding of ATP to two ATP-binding domains of CFTR.

A defect in CFTR in sweat gland ducts leads to a decrease in the reabsorption of sodium chloride from the lumen, resulting in increased concentrations of chloride in sweat.

In the respiratory epithelium (see Chapter 13, Respiratory System), a defect in CFTR results in a reduction or loss of chloride secretion into the airways, active reabsorption of sodium and water, and a consequent decrease in the water content of the protective mucus blanket. Dehydrated mucus causes defective mucociliary action and predisposes to recurrent pulmonary infections.

FINGERNAILS

The nails are hard keratin plates on the dorsal surfaces of the terminal phalanges of the fingers and toes (Figure 11-20). The nail plate covers the nail bed, the surface of the skin that consists of the stratum basale and stratum spinosum only.

The body of the plate is surrounded by lateral nail folds with a structure similar to that of the adjacent epidermis of the skin. When the lateral nail folds break down, an inflammatory process develops. This process is called onychocryptosis and is frequently observed in the nail of the first toe (ingrown nail).

The proximal edge of the plate is the root or matrix of the nail (where the whitish crescent-shaped lunula is located), in close proximity to the nail matrix, a region of the epidermis responsible for the formation of the nail substance. The distal portion of the plate is the free edge of the nail.

The nail plate consists of compact scales corresponding to cornified epithelial cells. The proximal edge of the nail plate is covered by the eponychium, a projecting fold of the stratum corneum of the skin, the cuticle. A loss of the cuticle facilitates inflammatory and infective processes of the nail matrix, leading to nail plate dystrophies.

Under the distal and free edge of the nail plate, the stratum corneum of the epidermis forms a thick structure, the hyponychium. The hyponychium protects the matrix bed of the nail from bacterial and fungal invasion.

Concept mapping

Integumentary System

Essential concepts

Integumentary System

Glands of the skin include (1) sebaceous glands, (2) sweat glands (eccrine and apocrine), and (3) the mammary gland.

Sebaceous glands are holocrine simple saccular glands. The secretory portion is located in the dermis; the excretory duct opens into the neck of the hair follicle. Cells of the secretory portion (alveoli) contain small lipid droplets (sebum).

Eccrine (merocrine) sweat glands are simple coiled tubular glands. Their primary function is control of body temperature. The secretory portion consists of three cell types: (1) basal clear cells (separated from each other by intercellular canaliculi; they secrete water and electrolytes); (2) apical dark cells (secrete glycoproteins); and (3) myoepithelial cells. The excretory portion is lined by a stratified cuboidal epithelium (except in the epidermis, where keratinocytes constitute the wall of the excretory duct).

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder of epithelial transport of chloride ions by the channel protein cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). The lining epithelium of the excretory duct of eccrine sweat glands contains CFTR. A defect in CFTR causes a decrease in the reabsorption of sodium chloride from the lumen, resulting in increased concentrations of Cl in sweat.

Apocrine sweat glands are coiled and occur in the axilla, mons pubis, and circumanal area. The secretory acini are larger than in eccrine sweat glands. The excretory duct opens into the hair follicle (instead of into the epidermis as in the eccrine sweat glands). Ceruminous glands in the external auditory meatus and glands of Moll of the margins of the eyelids, are examples of apocrine sweat glands.