THE

INTEGUMENTARY
SYSTEM
 an average adult
covers 3000
square inches of
surface body area

 skin weighs about

6 lbs

 receives
approximately 1/3
of all blood
 FUNCTIONS
1. Protection
2. Sensation
3. Vitamin D3 Production
4. Thermoregulation
5. Excretion
 Layers of the Skin
1. Epidermis 1. stratum corneum
 epithelial tissue horny or leathery layer
consist of dead cell
 hold together by
2. stratum lucidum
interlocking cellular
 clear layer
links called
DESMOSOMES 3. stratum granulosum
 very active in
 keratin gives keratinization
strength 4. stratum spinosum
 receives the most  piny or prickly layer
abrasions and weight 5. stratum basale
 mitosis
 melanocytes
Keratinization
 transformation of stratum basale cells
into stratum corneum cells. ( 28 days ).
 lowermost layer of the epidermis divide
through mitosis so new cells push older
cells up toward the surface and as they
move up they change shape and chemical
composition because they lose water and
die.
2. Dermis/corium/true skin
 dense connective tissue
 white Collagen and yellow elastic fibers for
structural STRENGTH
 Blood vessels
 Nerves
 lymph vessels
 smooth muscles
 sweat glands
 hair follicles
 sebaceous glands
Hypodermis/ Subcutaneous
tissue/Superficial Fascia
 loose connective tissue
 attaches the skin to underlying
tissues
 About half of the body’s fat is
stored in the hypodermis.
 Hypodermic injections

 padding and insulation

 Skin Color
Melanocytes- melanin
Carotene
Cyanosis
Blushing
Albinism
Contraction
Thermoregulation

Protection
Growth and resting phase

Phalanges protection/keratin
I mm/week

Excretion - sweat
Lubrication - sebaceous
 The Integumentary System as a Diagnostic
Aid

 The integumentary system is easily observed and often

reflects events occurring in other parts of the body (e.g.,
cyanosis, jaundice, rashes).
Burns
 Partial-thickness burns damage only the epidermis
(first-degree burn) or the epidermis and the
dermis (second-degree burn)
 Full-thickness burns (third-degree burns) destroy
the epidermis, dermis, and usually underlying
tissues.
SKIN CANCER
 excessive exposure to UV rays
 face, neck and hands
 Basal cell carcinoma involves the cells of the stratum
basale and is readily treatable. Can be treated with
radiation or surgery.
 Squamous cell carcinoma involves the cells
immediately superficial to the stratum basale and can
metastasize.
 Malignant melanoma involves melanocytes and is often
associated with moles of the skin, can metastasize, and is
often fatal.
Effects of Aging on the integumentary System and
related diseases
 Blood flow to the skin is reduced, the skin
becomes thinner, and elasticity is lost. ( wrinkling
and sagging of the skin )
 Sweat and sebaceous glands are less active (
dryness )
 number of melanocytes decreases ( gray to white
hair )
 ringworm
 warts, moles
 cold sores
 impetigo, alopecia