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Integumentary System

The integumentary system, which consists of the skin

(cutaneous membrane) and accessory structures,
accounts for approximately 16% of the total body
weight of an adult. Its surface area covers from 1.5
to 2 m2. The skin, the body’s largest organ in surface
area and significance, is continually bombarded by
all sorts of environmental components, including an
attack by microorganisms, radiation from sunlight,
and exposure to chemicals.

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The skin, as well as the deeper

The accessory integumentary hypodermis, has many functions
system structures include hairs, such as protection, excretion,
nails, sweat glands, and oil temperature maintenance,
glands. The integumentary melanin production, keratin
system is the first line of production, vitamin
defense against the D3(cholecalciferol) synthesis,
environment. lipid storage, and sensory
detection.

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Structure of the
Skin
Skin

The largest organ of the body also known

as the cutaneous membrane has 3 main
components:

• Epidermis
• Dermis
• Hypodermis

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The skin is also known as the integument. This is where the

name integumentary system is derived. The skin varies in

SKIN thickness between 1.5 and 4 mm, depending on which part of

the body it covers. The general functions of the skin are:

❑ Protection
❑ Detection of stimuli
❑ Maintenance of normal body temperature
❑ Melanin production

SKIN
❑ Keratin production
❑ Vitamin D Synthesis
❑ Lipid storage
❑ Excretion of organic waste, salt & water

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Two main layers of the skin

EPIDERMIS DERMIS

❑The epidermis, the ❑The dermis, the

outer layer, is made inner layer, is
up of keratinized much thicker than
stratified squamous
the epidermis and
epithelium
consists of
❑ Itis also called the papillary and
superficial reticular regions.
epithelium.

EPIDERMIS

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EPIDERMIS
Stratum Corneum
• most superficial layer
of the epidermis
• Several layers of dead,
flattened keratinocytes
• Sheds dead
keratinocytes

EPIDERMIS
Stratum Lucidum
• Deep to the Stratum
Corneum
• Found in thick skin
• Clear layer of dead
keratinocytes

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EPIDERMIS
Stratum Granulosum
• Middle layer of the
epidermis
• Named for prominent
granules
• 3-5 rows of cells
• Excretes a lipid-based
substance

EPIDERMIS
Stratum Spinosum (Spino-
prickly)
• Deep to the Stratum Basale
The thickest stratum of the
epidermis
• Named due to its spiky-
appearing cells
• Cells are metabolically active
Undergo mitosis
• Help to synthesize vitamin D

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EPIDERMIS
Stratum Basale (basal-
bottom)
• The deepest layer of the
epidermis
• Consists of a single layer of stem
cells
• Richest supply of blood Most
metabolically active Undergo
mitosis Also known as "Stratum
Germinativum (germinating)"
• Helps to synthesize vitamin D

EPIDERMAL CELLS : KERATINOCYTES

• most abundant (90%)

• produce:

◦ Keratin

◦ Lamellar granules

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Keratinocyte Life Cycle

Begins in the Stratum Spinosum

Sheds in the Stratum Corneum

Can shed from environmental and physical

stress

Shed cells are replaced by mitosis

Cells primarily divide at night

EPIDERMAL CELLS : MELANOCYTES

• 2nd most abundant ( 8%)

• long slender projections

• produce melanin

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EPIDERMAL CELLS : LANGERHANS

CELLS/
INTRAEPIDERMAL MACROPHAGES

• epidermal dendritic cells

• macrophages used in the defense
against microorganisms
• alert immune cells against invading
microbes

EPIDERMAL CELLS : MERKEL

CELLS/TACTILE EPITHELIAL CELLS

• least numerous cells

• connected to sensory neuron
• sensory receptors (touch)

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Other Cells of the Epidermis

Dendritic (Langerhans) Cells

• Found in the Stratum Spinosum
• Phagocytes of the immune system
• Protects the skin and underlying tissue from
pathogens

Merkel Cells
• Oval cells found in the Stratum Basale
• Sensory receptors that detect light touch, shapes,
and textures
• Also found in the fingertips, lips, and base of the hair

Melanocytes (melan-black)
• Found in the Stratum Basale
• Produces melanin, a protein that gives pigment to
the skin

Thick vs Thin Skin

Thin Skin

• Consists of only four layers of the

epidermis, lacking the Stratum
Lucidum
• Equivalent to the size of a sheet of
printing paper
• Has hair follicles
• Subject to less mechanical stress

When exposed to the extra pressure,

both thick and thin skin will develop
extra layers of the Stratum Corneum.
This will result in a callus.

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DERMIS

DERMIS

• connective tissue (with collagen & elastic fibers)

• 2 strata
• highly vascular
• innervated
• glandular

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DERMAL STRATA

DERMIS:STRATUM
PAPILLAROSUM/PAPILLARY DERMIS

PAPILLARY REGION
• upper layer in contact w/ epidermis
• 1/5 of dermal thickness
• Areolar connective tissue
Composition:
◦ thin collagen & fine elastic fibers
◦ dermal papillae
◦ Meissner’s corpuscles
◦ free nerve endings

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DERMIS:STRATUM
PAPILLAROSUM/PAPILLARY DERMIS

DERMIS:STRATUM PAPILLAROSUM

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DERMIS: STRATUM
RETICULAROSUM/RETICULAR DERMIS

• RETICULAR REGION
• deeper layer in contact w/ hypodermis
• 4/5 of dermal thickness
• dense irregular connective tissue
Composition:
◦ thick collagen & coarse elastic fibers
◦ blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, glands
◦ Pacinian corpuscles
◦ phagocytes

DERMIS:STRATUM RETICULAROSUM

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DERMIS: STRATUM RETICULAROSUM

SKIN COLOR : 4 TYPES

PALLOR
PALLOR • blanch / pale
CYANOSIS • bluish purple
ERYTHEMA
ERYTHEMA • red
CYANOSIS
JAUNDICE • yellow

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ERYTHEMA

CYANOSIS

JAUNDICE

CYANOSIS

ERYTHEMA

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SKIN APPENDAGES/ ACCESSORY

STRUCTURES

SKIN APPENDAGES : GLANDS

• CUTANEOUS GLANDS
• specialized epithelial cells of stratum basale
• ALL exocrine glands

TWO TYPES:
◦ Sudoriferous glands
◦ Sebaceous glands

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GLANDS : SUDORIFEROUS GLANDS

• SWEAT GLANDS
• eccrine & apocrine type
• simple, coiled tubular gland
• widely distributed in the skin
• secretes sweat/ perspiration

GLANDS : SEBACEOUS GLANDS

OIL GLANDS
• holocrine type
• simple, branched acinar glands
• found ALL over skin
EXCEPT: palms & soles
• mostly open into the hair
follicles
• secretes sebum

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GLANDS : CERUMINOUS GLANDS

SKIN APPENDAGES: HAIR

• epidermal growths made of dead keratinized epithelium
• present in nearly ALL body surfaces
EXCEPT: palms, soles, lips,
nipple, certain area in external
genitalia & distal segments of
the fingers & toes
Color depends on the amount
melanin.

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HAIR : TYPES

TERMINAL VELLUS
• long & coarse • short & fine
• highly pigmented • less pigmented
• scalp, pubic hair, axilla, • body hair of children &
chest, male extremities adult women
& beard, eyebrows,
eyelashes

HAIR : TYPES

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• smooth muscle cells

• “goose flesh”

HAIR : FUNCTIONS

⮚ Protection

⮚ Insulation

⮚ Sensory perception

⮚ Aesthetics

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SKIN APPENDAGES : NAIL

• thin, dense, hard, clear plates of stratum corneum
• growth rate: 0.5 to 1.2 mm per day

FUNCTIONS:
• covering & protection of digits
• grasping & manipulation

NAIL : STRUCTURE

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