The

Integumentary
System
 The Integumentary System

 Largest body system

 Skin and accessory structures like
the hair, nails, and glands
 Function: Protection of body
structures and regulation of body
temperature
The Skin as first line protection

The skin seals off the body

from the immediate
environment.
Layers:
Epidermis
Dermis
Hypodermis
 Skin cells
 There are many other cells aside
from the keratinized squamous cells
of the skin.
 Melanocytes produce pigment
melanin.
 Langerhans cells participate in the
immune system.
 Skin as temperature regulator

Abundant nerves, blood vessels

and glands are within the skin’s
deeper layer
They aid in temperature
regulation
Blood vessels constrict or dilate
depending on the temperature
 Skin functions
 Sweat glands produce sweat to control
temperature by evaporation
 The piloerector (arrector pili) muscles
will contract to raise the hairs to trap the
heat.
 Other skin functions
 Vitamin D synthesis
 7-dehydrocholesterol(usuallypresent in
the intestines)Cholecalciferol (D3)

 Route of excretion
 Insensible fluid loss of about 500 ml/day
 Sweat contains water, electrolytes, urea
and lactic acid
 Other skin functions
 First line defense of the body in
Immunity
 Skin

 Mucus Membrane
 Skin receptors
 Pain

 Pressure

 Heat and Cold

 EPIDERMIS
 Outermost layer
Stratified Squamous Epithelium
 Thickness varies depending on the
body part
 Thinnest in the eyelids
 Thickest in the soles and palms
 EPIDERMIS
 Layers:
 Stratum Corneum
Outermost layer; with keratin
 Stratum Lucidum
 Stratum Granulosum
 Stratum Spinosum
 Stratum Basale
Innermost layer; skin cell regeneration
 Melanocytes in the skin produce Melanin
 DERMIS
Flexible and elastic
Contains blood vessels,
lymphatic vessels,
nerves and appendages
 DERMIS
 The connective tissues in the dermis
contain:
Collagen (gives its strength)
Elastin (gives its flexibility)

Reticular fibers (connect collagen

and elastin)
 HYPODERMIS
This is the subcutaneous
tissue.
Not strictly a part of the skin
Functions to insulate the
body to conserve heat.
 HYPODERMIS
Serves as the energy
storage and mechanical
shock absorber
With little vascular supply
and scant nerve supply.
 The Skin appendages
 Hairs:
 long shafts composed of keratin. Expanded
lower end is called hair bulb or root. There are
extensive nerve and blood supply in the hair
bulbs.
 Nails:
 flattened structure of specialized type of
keratinized surface. The visible part is the nail
body.
Fig. 5.5
 The Skin Appendages
 Sebaceous glands
 Glandswhich produce an oily material called
sebum, found in all body parts except the palms
and soles.
 Sweat glands or sudoriferous glands
 Glands which secrete sweat, found in all body
parts except in the nipples.
 Two types exist:

Eccrine (PALMS AND SOLES)

Apocrine (AREA WITH HAIR FOLLICLES)
Fig. 5.6