Histology of Integumentary System

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M.Phil.)

Histology of Integumentary System

By Dr. Mudassar Ali Roomi (MBBS, M.Phil.)

CELLS OF EPIDERMIS
Keratinocytes are the predominant cell type Non-keratincytes include: 1. melanocytes 2. Langerhans cells 3. Merkel cells.

1. Melanocytes
The color of the skin is the result of several factors: 1. keratinocytes' content of melanin 2. carotene 3. number of blood vessels in the dermis.

1. Melanocytes (cont..)

melanin is a brownish black pigment produced by the melanocyte Melanocytes are neural crest derivatives*** Location: These cells are present in the stratum basale** They have rounded cell bodies and form hemidesmosomes with the basal lamina, but no desmosomes with adjacent keratinocytes. Long irregular dendritic extensions from each melanocyte branch into the epidermis, running between the cells of the basal and spinous layers

2. Dendritic (Langerhans) Cells (cont)

These are antigen-presenting cells (APCs) Location: usually seen in spinous layer. Cytoplasmic processes extend from these cells between keratinocytes of all the layers.

2. Dendritic (Langerhans) Cells

Function: They are bone marrowderived cells, capable of binding, processing, and presenting antigens to T lymphocytes in the same manner as macrophages in other organs do microorganisms cannot penetrate the epidermis without alerting its dendritic cells and triggering an immune response. Langerhans cells, along with lymphocytes of skin make up a major component of the skin's adaptive immunity.

3. Tactile (Merkel) Cells

These are mechanoreceptors that resemble keratinocytes with keratin filaments in their cytoplasm Small, Golgi-derived dense-core neurosecretory granules are present in their cytoplasm. Derived from neural crest cells Merkel cells are located in the basal epidermal layer in areas of high tactile sensitivity The basolateral surfaces of the cells contact expanded terminal discs of unmyelinated sensory fibers that penetrate the basal lamina.

Thick and thin skin

These are distinguished on the basis of the thickness of the epidermis

Thick skin
Epidermis= 400-600 um thick Has got a prominent st. corneum, a well developed st. granulosum and a distinct st. lucidum Location: It lines the palms of hands and the soles of feet It lacks hair follicles, sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscle. Contains greater number of sensory receptors and eccrine sweat glands than thin skin.

Thin skin
Epidermis= 75-150 um thick Less prominent st. corneum and generally lacks st. granulosum and st. lucidum. Location: Thin skin covers most of the parts of the body It contains hair follicles, sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscles. It contains less number of sensory receptors and eccrine sweat glands than thick skin.