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The Integumentary system
 The Integument
 The Integumentary System ( the
integument) or simply the skin system is
one of the largest and heaviest organ
systems of the human body. The skin
covers the outer surface of the body and
is continuous with the mucous membranes
found insides the eyelids, nostrils, and
other openings of the human body.
 The Integument (skin)

 The skin consist of

two major layers, and
bed of connective
tissue of which it lays
upon called the
subcutaneous tissue
or (hypodermis.)
 The skin
 The two major layers are:
 -(1) The outer epidermis, derived from
the embryonic ectoderm, and
 -(2) the inner dermis, which develops
from the mesode
 Beneath the dermis is the hypodermis
(sometimes called the subcutaneous tissue
layer or the superficial fascia)
 The skin and its appendages

 hair,
 nails,
 sebaceous and
 sweat glands
 The skin and its appendages
 make up a very complex set of organs that
accomplishes several functions for the human
body, namely:
 1. Protection for internal organs from the outside
environment,
 2. Protection from the loss of internal fluids or
dehydration,
 3. Maintenanc of homeostasis, interms of body
overall temperature regulation,
The skin and its appendages….
 4. Excretion of some waste products via
the sebaceous and sweat glands,
 5. Maintenance of the sites for reception
of external cutaneous sensations,
 6. Serves as a blood reservoir, and finally,
 7. The skin does some metabolic
functions.
 The Skin
 The skin layers:
 Epidermis – specialized epithelium, derived from
the ectoderm.
 Dermis ( corium) – characteristics:
 vascular dense connective tissue
 from the mesoderm.
 Corresponds to the Lamina propria of the mucous
membrane.
 Connected to the underlying hypodermis by connective
tissue fibers .
 Hypodermis – lower layer, not part of the skin.
 The skin…..

 Dermal ridges – patterns of ridges over the

skin surface consists of whorls, loops,
arches and determined by hereditary
traits. Formed during 3rd and 4th months
of fetal life
 Classification:
 thick skin = over the palms of hands and
feet
 thin skin = over the rest of the body.
 The Epidermis.
 Cell types:
 Keratinocyte = differentiate to keratin.
 Melanocyte
 Langerhans cell
 Merkel cell
 Basal cell layer mitotic activity cells displaced
to higher level  elaborate keratin  keratin
replaces the cytoplasm  cell dies  shedding.
Epidermis of the palms and sole
 1. Stratum germinativum:
 The stratum germinatum (SG) provides the
germinal cells necessary for the regeneration of
the layers of the epidermis. These germinal cells
are separated from the dermis by a thin layer of
basement membrane. After a mitotic division a
newly formed cell will undergo a progressive
maturation called keratinization as it migrates to
the surface.
 Tonofibrils = aggregate bundles of fine
filaments, where mitotic activities are inititated.
Epidermis of the palms and sole

 2. Stratum Spinosum
 The cells that divide in the statum germinativum soon begin to
accumulate many desmosomes on their outer surface which provide
the characteristic “prickles” of the stratum spinosum (SS), which is
often called the prickle-cell layer.
 Composed of irregular, polyhedral cells, separate and flattened at
the surface.
 Cytoplasm is basophilic, intercellular b ridges with short process to
adjacent cells
 MALPHIGIAN layer = stra. Germinativum & stra. Spinosum:
 a. responsible for proliferation & initiation of keratinization process.
 b. contains Melanocytesmelanin, for pigmentation.
 c. with scattered langerhans and Merkel cells.
Epidermis of the palms and sole
 3. Stratum granulosum
 The progressive maturation of a keratinocyte is
charcterized by the accumulation of keratin, called
keratinization. The cells of the stratum granulosum
(SGR) accumulae dense basophilic keratohyalin granules
(seen on the close-up view). These granules contain
lipids, which along with the desmosomal connections,
help to form a waterproof barrier that functions to
prevent fluid loss from the body- keratinosomes.
 Consists of 3 to 5 layers of flattened cells whose long
axis is parallel to the skin surface, contains Keratohyalin
granules, cells become pale, eventually dies.
Epidermis of the palms and sole
 4. Stratum Lucidum
 Epidermis varies in thickness throughout the body
depending mainly on frictional forces and is thickest on
the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The
stratum lucidum is normally only well seen in thick
epidermis and represents a transition from the stratum
granulosum to the stratum corneum.
 Clear translucent layer 3 – 5 cell layers, flattened and
closely packed, nuclei are indistinct or absent. Cytoplasm
has keratohyalin and distributed among the tonofibrils.
Epidermis of the palms and sole
 5. Stratum Corneum
 As a cell accumulates keratinohyalin granules, it is
thought that rupture of lysosomal membranes release
lysosomal enzymes that eventually cause cell death. The
dead and dying cells filled with mature keratin form the
stratum corneum (SC). The deeper cells of the stratum
corneum retain their desmosomal junctions, but as they
are pushed to the surface by newly forming cells of the
stratum germinativum (SG), the dead cells gradually
break apart and are lost, a process called desquamation.
Epidermis of the palms and sole
 Stratum Corneum
 Nucleus is absent, cytoplasm is replaced
with Keratin from the tonofibrils and
deeper epidermal layer ( soft keratin) low
in sulfur content.
 Stains pink in Eosin and often shredded
during preparation.
 Stratum disjunctum = most superficial
layer , with flat horny plates and
desquamated constantly.
 Pigmentation of skin:
 Carotene = yellow color.
 Blood = reddish hue.
 melanin pigments = shades of brown
 melanin = produced by melanocytes within
the melanosomes
 melanocytes
 between keratinocytes of stra. Germinativum
and spinosum
 within hair follicles
 dermal connective tissue.
 Pigmentation of skin…..
 Tyrosinase ( enzyme from the ribosomes) 
transferred to endoplasmic reticulum  Golgi
zone  packaged into vesicles fused into
premelanosomes  mature into 4 stages with
melanin packed melanosomes  transferred to
keratinocytes of stra. Germinativum and
spinosum via phagocytosis of melanosome
containing processes of melanocytes 
pigments are injected into the keratinocytes.
 Pigmentation of skin…..

 MSH – melanocyte stimulating hormones

stimulates migration of melanosomes in
dendritic process and the transfer of
keratinocytes
 Ultraviolet rays increases the melanocytes
enzymatic activity Tanning
 Langerhans cells

 the 3rd cellular population within the epidermis.

 Star- shaped, with numerous dendritic process
 Found principally within the stra. Spinosum.
 Berbick granules = rod-like inclusions in
cytoplasm, strat epith. In oral mucosa,
esophagus, vagina, hair follicles, sebaceous and
apocrine glands, thymus and lymph nodes.
Functions by fixing and processes exogenous
antigens. Associated with B and T lymphos.
 Merkel cells
 the 4th cellular population within the epidermis.
 Wide epidermal distribution, found in stra.
Germinativum
 With irregular shaped nuclei, cytoplasm less
dense, concentrated at the basal region of cells.
 Attached to neighboring keratinocytes by
numerous desmosomes.
 Functions as mechanoreceptors.
 Has APUD ( amino precursor uptake and
decarboxylation) like activity.
 The Dermis

 1. The Papillary Dermis

 The papillary dermis (PD) contains vascular networks
that have two important functions. The first being to
support the avascular epidermis with vital nutrients and
secondly to provide a network for thermoregulation. The
vasculature is organized so that by increasing or
decreasing blood flow, heat can either be conserved or
dissipated. The vasculature interdigitates in areas called
dermal papillae (DP). The papillary dermis also contains
the free sensory nerve endings and structures called
Meissner’s corpuscles in highly sensitive areas.
 The Dermis….

 2. The Reticular Dermis

 The main fibrous bed of the dermis.
 The reticular layer of the dermis (RD) consists of dense irregular
connective tissue, which differs from the papillary layer (PD), which
is made up of mainly loose connective tissue. The reticular layer of
the dermis is important in giving the skin it overall strength and
elasticity, as well as housing other important epithelial derived
structures such as glands and hair follicles.
 Langer lines = direction of fiber lines of skin tension, of surgical
importance, incisions heal with less gap and scar tissues. Ground
substance is of amorphous matrix.
 Skin……

 3 principal glycosaminoglycans of the skin

a. hyaluronic acid,
b. dermatan sulfates,
c. chondroitin sulfates.
 Cellular elements:
 fibrblasts
 macrophages
 fat cells
 chromatophores
 connective tissue cells
 true dermal melanocytes is rare
 dopa positive
 accumulate in the sacral region = Mongolian spots
 accumulate in dermal tumors = blue nevi
 generally papillary layer has more cells and smaller
and finer connective tissue fibers and reticular fibers.
 Muscle fibers

 maybe found in the dermis arrectores

pilorum muscles.
 Scattered in the dermis = nipple, penis,
scrotum, parts of the perineum,
contraction gives a wrinkled appearance.
 Hypodermis
 the subcutaneous layer( superficial)
 not part of the skin
 deep extension of the dermis
 density and arrangement determines the mobility of the
skin
 panniculus adiposus = a fat pad due to a continuous
lobules of fat present up to 3 cm in the abdomen.
 Devoid of fats = eyelids, penis and scrotum.
 Superficial zone contains hair follicles and sweat glands.
 Skin Appendages

 Nails
 Horny plates of epidermis that forms a protective covering on the dorsal
plates of the terminal phalanges, do not desquamate. The body is
translucent, pink color due to vascularity in the nail bed. The root is more
opaque and becomes continuous with the body of the nail.
 3rd month, the begin to form as nail groove  differentiate into soft
matrix nail plates  advance into the dorsal surface of the digits top form
nail beds. It lacks sweat glands and hair follicles.
 Hyponychium = thickened epidermis at the junction of stra. Corneum.
 Lonule = a crescentric margin at the nail bed.
 Nail groove is lined by modified epidermis
 Eponychium = cuticle, extension of the stra. Corneum from nail bed to free
surface of the nail plate.
 Growth rates is 0.5 mm per week
 Faster growth in the fingernail than in toenails.
 Hair Follicle

 Hair Follicles
 elastic keratinized threads that developed from the epidermis.
 Distributed thru out the entire skin surface except:
 palms
 sole
 dorsal surface of distal phalanges
 anal apperture
 urogenital apperture
 has shaft and root embedded in the skin
 hair follicle consists of epidermal and dermal tissues
 Hair Follicle
 Structure =
 dermal root sheath derive from external connective
sheath.
 With 3 layers:
 outer poorly defined, coarse bundle of collagen fibers
( corresponds to reticular layer)
 midlayer = thicker, corresponds to papillary layer, cellular
and with fine connective tissue layer.
 Inner layer, glassy membrane, corresponds to basal lamina,
consists of amorphous ground substance.
 Hair Follicle

 epithermal (epithelial root sheath) = from

the epidermis
 outer epithelial root sheath = posses a single
row of tall cells and an inner polygonal stratum.
 Inner sheath = keratinized root sheath
Inner layer of hair follicle layers:

 Henle’s layer = a single layer of flattened, clear

cells with hyaline
 Huxley’s layer = several layers of flattened
cells with trichohyaline granule like
keratohyaline and tonofibrils.
 cuticle of root sheath = lie against the hair
cuticle. A single layer of transparent horny
scales and interdigitate.
 Inner layer of hair follicle layers…
 Henle’s layer = a single layer of flattened, clear
cells with hyaline
 Huxley’s layer = several layers of flattened
cells with trichohyaline granule like
keratohyaline and tonofibrils.
 cuticle of root sheath = lie against the hair
cuticle. A single layer of transparent horny
scales and interdigitate.
 Growth = follows mitosis of the
undifferentiated matrix of epidermal cells.
 Definite period for growth:
 Definite period for growth:
 Head hair = growth is 2 – 4 years
 Eyelashes = 3 – 4 months.
 Upon cessation of growth, multiplication at
the bases stopped  root detach from
matrix  hair falls out or is pulled. After a
period of rest, a new germinal matrix
develops to grow up the reformed follicle.
 The Hair
 Structure of the Hair
 Layers:
 medulla
 cortex
 cuticle
 Medulla:
 forms loose axis
 with 2 – 3 layers of shrunken
 cornified, cuboidal cells
 Absent in fine short hairs, downy type hair, some scalp hair, blonde
hair.
 Cells contains pigments, medulla is of soft type.
 Cortex
 make up the bulk of the hair
 composed of several layers of long flattened
spindle shaped cornified cells.
 Keratin is of the hard type
 Keratin fibrils are oriented parallel to the long
axis of the hair
 Pigment granules are found in between cells and
are oxidized
 Air accumulates in the intercellular spaces,
modifies hair color.
 Cuticle

 single layer of thin clear cells

 cornified cells, have lost their nuclei
 cells overlap with free edges directed upwards
 x section, round = Chinese, Eskimos, American
Indians.
 Oval = Caucasians
 Elliptical or reniform = wooly hair of blacks.
 Sweat Glands
 Eccrine or merocrine sweat  Most numerous in the:
glands or ordinary sweat glands.  palms
 Coiled, tubular, distributed thru  sole
out the skin.  Apocrine sweat glands
 Not found in:  = found in axilla, nipple, areola,
 nail beds labia majora, circumanal region.
 margin of lips
 glans penis
 = has a thicker secretion, opens
 eardrum into the upper part of hair follicles.
Less coiling, the lumen is much
wider., myo-epithelial cells are
much larger and form a complete
layer, begins to function only at
puberty. Secretes a waxy
substance = cerumen from glands
of the external audoitory meatus
and the eyelids glands of Moll.
 Sebaceous glands
 connected with hair follicles
 several drain into a single follicle
 others drain into free surface, e.g., glans penis, labia
minora, tarsal ( meibomian) glands
 absent in palms and soles
 each is encapsulated by a thin layer of connective tissue.
 alveolar ( saccular) glands which synthesize lipids.
 Alveoli are completely filled with stratified epithelium
 Sebaceous glands
 Alveoli are completely filled with stratified epithelium,
the internal surface is a single row of small cuboidal cells
 continuous with basal cells of epidermis  incr.
agranular endoplasmic reticulum  becomes active in
Lipogenesis center of alveoli nucleus becomes larger
cytoplasm is distended with droplets, containing
cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides  nuclei
gradually shrinks and disappears  cells breakdown into
fatty mass of debris 
 SEBUM , holocrine type, total destruction of epithelial
cells.
 * discharge of sebum is aided by the arector pili muscle
and pressure within alveolus.
 Sebaceous gland…..

 Vascularity
 = rete cutaneum , around the junction
zone between the dermis and the
hypodermis rete subpapillare ( network
between papillary and reticular layer)
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