INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Structure and Function

Integumentary system is composed of the skin and
accessory structures (hair, hair follicles, nails, glands
& nerves)
Functions of the integumentary system
Protects the other body systems from injury and infection:
Mechanical damage (cuts & bruises)
Chemical damage (acids & bases)
Thermal damage (heat & cold)
Ultraviolet damage (sunlight)
Defense against microorganisms

Helps the body maintain homeostasis by regulating

temperature, retaining body fluids, and eliminating wastes
Insulates and cushions deeper organs
Figure 9-1 Skin Structures
Skin
The largest organ of the body
21 sq feet, 1.5 2 sq meters
4 kilograms, 9 pds, 7-15% of total body weight
Varies in thickness from 1/50 inch (0.5 mm) in the
eyelids to 1/4 inch (6.3 mm) in the soles of the feet
Changes in the skin often indicate the presence of
other body system disorders including anemia,
respiratory disorders, liver disorders, cancer, and
shock
Each inch of skin contains 15 ft of blood vessels
The body sloughs off about 500 million cells a day; 1
pounds per year
 Skin (cutaneous)
The top layer is full of keratin and hardened
(cornified) to prevent water loss
The rich capillary network and sweat glands help
regulate heat loss from surface
It is a mini-excretory system- loses urea, water
and salts
Manufactures proteins important to immunity and
synthesizes Vitamin A, D & K. (vit D synthesis
very important)
Cutaneous sensory receptors
provide info about the
environment
 Layers of Skin
Epidermis
- it is avascular
Outermost layer of the skin that is composed of a
surface of dead cells with an underlying layer of living
cells; complete regeneration appox 35 days and is
derived from the stratum basale layer
Made up of stratified squamous cells that are capable of
keratinizing (hard/tough)
Melanocytes (pigment cells); increase in sun exposure
will cause these cells to produce more melanin
Langerhans cells: macrophages that activate the
immune system
Merkel cells: sensory nerve receptors
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 Layers of Skin
Dermis (corium or true skin)

Called the true skin; the dermis contains the blood vessels
and nerves
Dense Connective tissue; strong/flexible
Collagen, elastin (stretch/recoil)
Contains:
Blood vessels and capillaries
Lymphatic vessels
Nerves
Hair shafts and hair follicles
Sensory receptors
Sudorferous glands- sweat
Sebaceous glands- oil
**The epidermis and dermis are firmly connected
but can be separated by friction
(blisters) Dense Connective tissue

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Layers of Skin
Subcutaneous- hypodermis
Not skin
Adipose and areolar connective tissue
Stores fat
Anchors skin to underlying structures (muscles)
Allows skin to slide freely
Shock absorber, insulator
Thickens with weight gain
 Types of Skin
Thick skin- only on palms & soles
Thick epidermis (.6-4.5mm) distinct stratum
lucidum & thick stratum corneum
Lacks hair follicles & sebaceous glands
Thin skin- covers most of the body
Thin epidermis (.1-.15mm) lacks stratum
lucidum
Lacks epidermal ridges, fewer sweat glands &
sensory receptors
 Skin
Stretch marks- extreme stretching that
produces a silvery white scar
Blister- separation of epidermal and dermal
layers by fluid filled pocket
Flexure lines- skin markings; dermal folds
at or near a joint; deep creases

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 Skin Color
Pigments:
Keratin
Yellow to orange
Accumulates in stratum corneum and fatty tissue of
hypodermis
Color obvious in palms and soles
Melanin
Only pigment in the skin
Yellow to reddish-brown to black
Synthesis depends on enzyme in melanocytes
Racial differences vary on amount of melanin made
Local accumulation in freckles and moles
Exposure to sunlight increases manufacturing of melanin to
prolonged exposure; tan

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 Abnormal color/homeostatic imbalances
Pallor (blanching)
Emotional distress, anemia, low BP
Erythema (redness)
Congestion of blood in vessels
Burns
Embarrassment (blushing)
Fever
Hypertension
Inflammation
Allery
Abnormal color/homeostatic imbalances
Bruises
Blood escapes and clots under skin, hematoma, vit c deficiency
hemophilia
Albinism
Absence of pigment color
Vitiligo
Loss of pigment in certain areas, usually acquired
Gray/Brown
Chronic poisonings
Cyanosis (blue)
Insufficient oxygen
Bronzing (metallic)
Addisons disease (hypofunction of adrenal cortex)
Jaundice (yellow)
Liver disorder, biliary disorder, presence of bile in blood,
diseases involving destruction of RBCs
 Skin Injuries
Excessive sun exposure
Clumps elastin fibers leathery skin
Temporary depression
of immune system
-DNA alteration (cancer)
Type 1- very fair
Type 2- tans minimally
Type 3- tans gradually
Type 4- medium skin
Type 5- rarely burns (dark)
Type 6- never burns (very dark)
 Skin Injuries
Blisters: injury damages chemical bond of
skin layers at dermal/epidermal junction
Callous: abnormally thick stratum corneum
Burns:1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th degree depending on depth
of burn (UV light, corrosive chemicals, electricity)

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 Accessory Structures
Hair/Hair
follicle
Glands
Nails
Nerves
Hair and Hair Follicles
Skin has hair in all areas except the soles of the
feet and palms of the hands
Composed of keratin and proteins; also dead
epidermal cells
Hair serves to block foreign particles from
entering the body through structures such as
the nose and eyes
The visible portion is called the shaft
The hair follicle is the root with its covering
Anagen: growing follicle
Telogen: resting follicle
 Hair
Growth:
Lanugo: fetal hair and lost at birth
Puberty: coarse hair; grows per month
Arrection Pili= hair muscles
This is a tiny muscle that attaches to the base of a hair
follicle at one end and to dermal tissue on the other
end. In order to generate heat when the body is cold,
the arrector pili muscles contract all at once, causing the
hair to "stand up straight" on the skin. The arrector pili
muscle is a source of information when evaluating a
skin biopsy since it is well-innervated with autonomic
nerves that control when the muscle contracts.
 Nails
Tightly packed, keratinized cells
Nail body is pink due to
underlying capillaries
Free edge appears white
Lunula is white due to
thickened stratum basale
Cuticle (eponychium)
Nail root- buried under skin layers
Glands

Four types of glands in the skin (exocrine)

Sebaceous glands (oil)
Sudoriferous glands (sweat)
Ceruminous glands (wax)
Mammary (milk) glands
Function is to help regulate the body
temperature and excrete body wastes

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 Sebaceous (Oil) glands
Secretory in dermis- open into hair shafts
Acne- bacterial inflammation of glands
Secretions stimulated by hormones at puberty
Associated with blackheads
Sebum- combination of cholesterol,
proteins, fats, and salts
Keeps hair/skin soft and pliable
Inhibits growth of bacteria and fungi
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Sebaceous glands
 Sudoriferous (sweat) glands
Apocrine (sweat) glands- secrete at hair follicle and active at puberty
In dermis with ducts that open into hair follicles
-Axilla (underarm)
Perianal (near the anal area)
Areole, (nipple)
Periumbilical (around the belly button),
External ear canal,
Eyelids
Also consists of ducts and secretory coils, but these glands are larger than
eccrine glands and open onto hair follicles.
Eccrine (sweat glands)
Most areas of the body
In dermis with ducts to surface
Regulates body temp w/ perspiration
*produces about 500 mL p/day
Sudorfierous glands

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 Ceruminous glands (wax)
Modified sweat glands
Located in auditory canal
Cerumen- contains secretions of oil and
wax glands; barrier for entrance of foreign
bodies
Impacted cerumen may reduce hearing
Disorders of the
Integumentary System
Acne vulgaris
Caused by increased secretion of oil related to
increased hormones during puberty
Albinism
Inherited disorder in which melanin is not produced
Alopecia
Baldness
Athletes foot
Contagious fungal infection of the foot
Disorders of the Integumentary
System (continued)
Cellulitis
Bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous
layer of the skin
Chloasma
Patchy discoloration of the face
Cleft lip or cleft palate
Upper lip has a cleft where the nasal palate doesnt
meet properly
Contact dermatitis
Allergic reaction that may occur after initial contact
or as an acquired response
Disorders of the Integumentary System
Dandruff
White flakes of dead skin cells from the scalp
Decubitus ulcers (bed sores)
Sores or areas of inflammation that occur over
bony prominences of the body
Eczema
Group of disorders caused by allergic or irritant
reactions; red, dry, itchy, scaly skin
Fungal skin infections
Skin infections that live on dead outer surface or
epidermis
Disorders of the Integumentary
System (continued)
Furuncle
Boil, or bacterial infection of a hair follicle
Hirsutism
Abnormal amount of hair growth in unusual places
Impetigo
Very contagious bacterial (staph or strep) skin
infection that occurs most often in children
Kaposis sarcoma
Form of cancer that originates in blood vessels and
spreads to skin
Disorders of the Integumentary System
Lupus
Benign dermatitis or chronic systemic disorder
Psoriasis
Chronic skin disorder in which too many epidermal
cells are produced
Rashes
May result from viral infection, especially in children
- Rhinoplasty- surgical repair of the nose
-Ring Worm
-Fungal infection on surface of skin; contagious and
treated with antifungal
Scleroderma
Rare autoimmune disorder that affects blood
vessels and connective tissues of the skin
*Tinea pedis -Athletes foot; fungal infection
Disorders of the Integumentary
System (continued)
Skin cancer
Three forms are basal, squamous, and melanoma;
**basal cell is most common
Skin lesions
Differ in texture, color, location, and rate of growth
Streptococcus
Nonmotile bacteria that affect many parts of the
body
Disorders of the Integumentary
System (continued)

Vitiligo
Condition that causes loss of pigment in the skin
Wart
Papule caused by a viral infection
Issues and Innovations
Skin and hair care
Skin care products include soap,
astringents, and cosmetics
Ways to remove hair include wax,
depilatory creams, and electrolysis
Sun and skin cancer
Damage by ultraviolet rays
Types of skin cancer
 Warning Signs of Melanoma

-Change in size and pigmented spot or

mole
-Change in color of an existing mole
-Change in consistency of shape of the
skin over the pigmented spot
-Inflammation of the skin around an
existing mole
Melanoma