Integumenta
ry System
Integumentary System
The integumentary system is the largest body
system and includes the skin, or integument, and its
appendages (the hair, nails, and certain glands).
The word integument means a covering.
Cutaneous membrane.
Functions of the Integumentary
System
1. Protection – protection against abrasion, UV light,
bacterial and dehydration.
2. Sensory perception – can detect heat, cold, touch,
pressure, and pain.
3. Vitamin D production – skin produces a molecule
that can be transformed into vitamin D.
4. Temperature regulation – regulates controlling
blood flow through the skin and the activity of
sweat glands.
5. Excretion – body waste.
Layers of the
Skin
Two major tissue
layers: epidermis, and
dermis.
Subcutaneous tissue –
hypodermis.
Epidermis
Stratified squamous epithelium.
Keratinocytes - primary cells; 90% of epidermal skin
cells.
Keratinization – process in producing protein keratin
(fibrous protein that makes epidermis a tough
protective layer).
Has 4 or 5 layers (“stratum/strata”) depending on
body part (palms and soles have 5 layers).
Avascular.
Layers of Epidermis
• The stratum corneum, or horny layer, is the outermost layer
and consists of tightly arranged layers of cellular membranes
and keratin.
• The stratum lucidum, or clear layer, blocks water
penetration or loss. It may be missing in some thin skin.
• The stratum granulosum, or granular layer, is responsible
for keratin formation and, like the stratum lucidum, may be
missing in some thin skin.
• The stratum spinosum, or spiny layer, also helps with
keratin formation and is rich in ribonucleic acid.
• The stratum basale, or the basal layer, is the innermost
layer and produces new cells to replace the superficial
keratinized cells that are continuously shed or worn away
Dermis
The dermis, also called the corium, is the skin’s second layer.
It’s an elastic system that contains and supports blood vessels,
lymphatic vessels, nerves, and the epidermal appendages.
Collagen and elastic fibers are responsible for the
structural strength of the dermis.
Has 2 layers: papillary dermis, and reticular dermis.
Layers of Dermis
• The papillary dermis has fingerlike projections, papillae,
that connect the dermis to the epidermis. It contains
characteristic ridges that on the fingers are known as
fingerprints. These ridges also help the fingers and toes
in gripping surfaces.
• The reticular dermis covers a layer of subcutaneous
tissue. It’s made of collagen fibers and provides strength,
structure, and elasticity to the skin.
Hypodermis
Subcutaneous tissue.
The innermost (or deepest) and thickest layer of skin.
Loose connective tissue that contains half of the
body’s stored fat.
Skin Color
1. Melanin – dark pigments responsible for skin, hair, and eye
color.
– mostly brown to black, but some are yellowish or
reddish.
– produced by melanocytes.
2. Carotene – yellowish pigment found in plants.
– Gives the skin a slight yellowish tint.
3. Blood flow – blood flow increases it gives a reddish color.
– decrease of blood oxygen produces bluish color
called cyanosis.
Accessory
Skin
Structures
Accessory skin structures are
hair; smooth muscles called
arrector pili, glands, and nails.
Hair
• Serves
as mechanical
protection for the
skin, increases
sensory function,
and aids in
regulating body
temperature.
Hair
• Shaft – above the surface of the skin.
• Root – part of hair enclosed in follicle.
• Hair bulb – base of the hair root.
• Hair follicle – extension of the epidermis deep into the
dermis, plays an important role in tissue repair.
a. Epidermal sheath- inner structure, composed of
epithelial tissue; forms the hair
b. Dermal sheath - outer structure, composed of
dermal tissue, supplies blood vessels to epidermal
portion.
Arrector Pili
• Associated with each hair follicle.
• Responsible for “goose flesh” or “goose bumps”.
Glands
• The major
glands of the
skin are
sebaceous
glands, and the
sweat glands.
Sebaceous Glands
• Found all over skin except palms of hand and soles of
feet.
• Most are connected by a duct to the superficial part of a
hair follicle.
• Produces sebum (oily, substance rich in lipids, protects
against some bacteria).
Sweat Glands
• There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine glands and
apocrine glands.
• Are small tubular structures of the skin that produce sweat.
1. Eccrine (Merocrine) sweat glands – glands located in almost every
part of the skin.
– most numerous in the palms and soles.
– produces sweat once the body temperature rise.
Sweat Glands
2. Apocrine sweat glands – produces thick secretion rich in organic
substances.
– located chiefly in the axillary (underarm) and anogenital
(groin) areas.
– Apocrine glands begin to function at puberty.
• The nails are situated over the distal surface of
the end of each finger and toe. Nails are
Nails composed of a specialized type of keratin.
Nails
• Nail body – visible part of the nail.
• Nail root – part of the nail covered by the skin.
• Eponychium (cuticle) –skin that extends onto the nail
body.
• Nail matrix - area where your fingernails and toenails
start to grow.
• Nail bed – the pinkish-colored soft tissue underneath
your nail plate (the hard part of your nail).
• Lunula – small part of nail matrix, cresent-shaped area
at the based of the nail.
Burns
• Burns are tissue damage that results from heat,
overexposure to the sun or other radiation, or chemical
or electrical contact.
• Partial-thickness burns (first- and second-degree burns),
and full-thickness burns (third-degree burn).
• Classification:
1. First-degree burn - only epidermis is damaged; e.g.
sunburn.
Burns
2. Second-degree burn - epidermis and upper region of
dermis is destroyed; characterized by oozing blisters.
3. Third-degree burn - destroy the entire thickness of skin
and the under lying tissue.
Wallance Rule-of-Nines - For rough
estimation of the body surface area that is
affected by Burn.
Some Common Disorders
• Acne - a skin condition that occurs when your hair
follicles become plugged with oil and dead skin cells.
• Allergic response - skin irritations that results to
redness, itchiness, and swelling that may progress into
blisters.
• Warts are caused by human papillomavirus. The virus
causes uncontrolled growth of epidermal tissue. The virus
is transmitted by direct contact with an infected
individual. The growths are usually benign and disappear
spontaneously. They can also be removed surgically or
with topical applications.
Skin Cancer
• Most common type of cancer.
• Development of skin cancer is often associated with
exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.
• Mostly develop on the face, neck or hands.
Types Skin Cancer
1. Basal Cell Carcinoma – most frequent skin cancer, begins
with cells in the stratum basale and extends into the dermis
to produce an open ulcer.
2. Squamous Cell Carcinoma - second most common, first
dangerous type of skin cancer.
- If left untreated can metastasize, and cause death.
3. Malignant Melanoma – rare form of skin cancer that arises
from melanocytes, usually in a preexisting mole.
- most serious form of skin cancer.
Types Skin Cancer
