Integumentary System

CMM News

Functions Of The Integument

Cushions and insulates deeper organs
Protects body from abrasion, trauma, chemicals,
pathogens, temperature extremes and UV rays
Excretion and secretion
Contains sensory receptors associated with nerve
endings
Synthesis and storage of nutrients (vitamin D3)

Integumentary
System

Largest body organ

Skin
Hair
Nails
Glands

Integumentary System
Epidermis

Outermost layer of
the skin
Dermis

Contains collagen
Supports nerve and
vascular network
Subcutaneous

Fat and loose

connective tissue

Structure

Epidermis:

Thin avascular,
superficial layer
Nourished blood
vessels (dermis)
Replaced every 28
days
Types of cells:

Melanocytes
keratinocytes

Integumentary Structures
Components of the Integumentary System

Figure 5-1

Skin Structures

The Epidermis- Four Main Cell Types

Melanocytes - found in basal
layer, manufacture and secrete
pigment
Merkel cells - basal layer,
attached to sensory nerve
endings
Keratinocytes Arise from
deepest layer of epidermis to
stratum spinosum
Produce keratin a tough
fibrous protein
Produce antibodies and
enzymes
Keratinocytes are dead at skin's
surface

Langerhans cells - stratum

The Epidermis
Stratified squamous epithelium
Several distinct cell layers
Thick skinfive layers on palms and soles
Thin skinfour layers on rest of body

Layers of The Epidermis

Stratum corneum
Most superficial layer
Dead, flattened
(squamous) cells
Abundant keratin Keratinized (cornified)
tough, water-resistant
protein
Protects skin against
abrasion and
penetration

Stratum lucidum (clear

layer)
Occurs only in thick skin
palms and soles
Composed of a few

Layers of The Epidermis

Layers of the Epidermis

Stratum basale
Deepest layer of epidermis
Attached to underlying
dermis
Stem cells actively divide
Merkel cells associated
with sensory nerve ending
Melanocytes secrete the
pigment melanin

Epidermal Cells and Layers of the Epidermis

Figure 5.3

Sources of Skin Color

Melanocytes
Make melanin from tyrosine
Melanin provides UV
protection
Gives reddish-brown to
brown-black color

Carotene
Contributes orange-yellow
color
Provided from diet (carrots
and tomatoes)

Hemoglobin - blood
pigment
Caucasian skin contains
little melanin

Dermis

Richly supplied with nerves (sensory receptors), blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, sweat and
sebaceous glands derived from the epidermis. Contains two layers: papillary and reticular

Papillary region is composed of loose areolar connective tissue. This is named for its
fingerlike projections called papillae, that extend toward the epidermis and contain either
terminal networks of blood capillaries or tactile Meissner's corpuscles.

Reticular layer is the deep layer of the dermis and consists of the dense irregular connective
tissue. Within the reticular region are the roots of the hair, sebaceous glands, sweat glands,
receptors, nails, and blood vessels.

Dermal Components

Subcutaneous Layer - Hypodermis

Composed of loose connective tissue - areolar and adipose
Stabilizes skin position
Loosely attached to dermis
Loosely attached to muscle
Contains many fat cells
Provides thermal insulation
Cushions underlying organs
Safely receives hypodermic needles

Hair
Filamentous strands of dead
keratinized cells produced by hair
follicles
Contains hard keratin which is tougher
and more durable than soft keratin of
the skin
Chief parts of a hair
Root imbedded in the skin
Shaft projects above skin's surface

Hair Function and Distribution

Functions of hair include:
Helping to maintain warmth
Alerting the body to presence of insects on the skin
Guarding the scalp against physical trauma, heat loss, and sunlight
Hair is distributed over the entire skin surface except
Palms, soles, and lips
Nipples and portions of the external genitalia

Glands

There are there exocrine (conts ducts) glands:

sebaceous,
sudoriferous and;

These glands secrete their contents to the exterior unlike endocrine which
secrete their contents directly into blood.

Sebaceous Glands (oil glands)

Occur over entire body - Except palms and soles
Simple alveolar glands
Holocrine secretion entire cell breaks up to form secretion
Secretes an oily substance called sebum
Most are associated with a hair follicle
Functions of sebum
Softens and lubricates hair and skin
Skin waterproofing
Collects dirt

Sudoriferous Glands (Sweat)

Two types:
Eccrine (Merocrine)
Most abundant sweat gland
True sweat
99% water with some salts
Contains traces of metabolic wastes ~ 2%
urea
Role in thermoregulation
Widely present in skin (up to 500/cm2)
Apocrine
Odorous secretion
Absent before puberty
Present in axillary, areolar, anal and genital
areas

Ceruminous Gland

specialized sudoriferous glands

found only in the external auditory canal where they secrete cerumen
(earwax)
Cerumen is also an insect repellant and keeps the eardrum from drying
out.
However, an excess of this may cause blockage.

Nails
Scalelike modification of epidermis
made of hard keratin
Parts of the nail
Free edge
Body - dense mass of keratinized
cells
Root
Nail folds
Eponychium cuticle

Skin Injury and Repair

Four Stages in Skin Healing
1. Hemostasis
a.
b.

Blood flow increases

Phagocytes attracted

2. Inflammation
3. Proliferative Stage
4. Remodeling

Hemostasis
This process is the stoppage of bleeding

Hemostasis
A special protein known as Fibrin cross links on top of the skin
which prevents blood from flowing out and pathogens from
coming in

Inflammation
Shows sign of redness and swelling
Phagocytosis
Vasodilation

Inflammation: Phagocytosis
Occurs when the white blood cells known as Macrophages
consume and destroy bacteria

Inflammation: Vasodilation
Expansion of the blood vessels

Proliferative Stage
Entry of Fibroblast Cells
Collagen Deposition

Proliferative Stage: Collagen Deposition

The fibroblast cell release collagen which forms connective
tissue to replace fibrin
Dermis contacts to close the wound

Remodeling
Collagen is then rearranged and converted to specific types
Skin slowly return to its original state as best as it can
Wound may then just end up as a scar

Burns

Effects of UV Radiation

Types and Growth of Hair

Vellus hairs
Body hairs of women and children
Terminal hairs
Hair of scalp
Axillary and pubic area (at puberty)
Hair thinning and baldness
Due to aging
Male pattern baldness

Skin Cancer
Melanocytes are the
skin cells that have
clustered thus
forming a mole. They
are also melanin
producing cells

Skin throughout life

Fetal skin
Well formed after the fourth month
At 5-6 months the fetus is covered with lanugo (downy hairs)
Fetal sebaceous glands produce vernix caseosa
Middle to old age
Skin thins and becomes less elastic
Shows harmful effects of environmental damage
Skin inflammations become more common

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