INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM found dispersed among the basal

cells in stratum basale.

In the adult human body, the skin - Merkel cell functions as a
makes up about 16% of body weight. In receptor is responsible for nerves
fact, the skin and accessory structures that the brain perceived as
are the largest organ system in the "touch".
human body. - Melanocytes produces melanin
Main Function that gives hair and skin its color
and helps protect the living cells
Our Integumentary system our body of epidermis from UV radiation
with overall protection. It also has damage.
numerous sensory, and autonomic
&sympathetic nerve fibers ensuring Stratum Spinosum
communication through and from the - composed of 8 - 10 layers of
brain. keratinocytes.
Layers of the Skin - Interspersed among keratinocytes
of this layer is a type of cell called
The skin is composed of three main Langerhans cell, functions as a
layers: macrophage by engulfing
bacteria, foreign particles, and
• Epidermis
damage cells that occur in this
• Dermis
layer.
• Hypodermis
- keratinocytes in this layer begin
EPIDERMIS the synthesis of keratin and
release a water repelling
- It does not have any blood glycolipid that help prevent water
vessels within it. loss from the body, making the
- It has 4 (thin) or 5 (thick) layers skin waterproof.
of epithelial cells.
• stratum basale Stratum Granulosum
• stratum spinosum
- 3 - 5 layers deep
• stratum granulosum
- generate large amount of keratin
• stratum lucidum (only on palm
and keratohyalin, these two
and soles)
proteins give the layer its grainy
• stratum corneum
appearance.
The cells in all the layers except the
Stratum Lucidum
stratum basale are called
keratinocytes, a cell that - found only on the thick skin of the
manufactures keratin that gives our palm, soles, and digits.
hairs, nails, and skin their harness and - the keratinocytes in this layer are
water-resistant properties. dead and flattened.
- cells are densely packed with
Stratum Basale
eleidin, a clear protein rich in
- deepest epidermal layer. lipids which gives this cell their
- composed a single layer of cells transparent appearance and
primarily made of basal cells, a provides a barrier to water.
cell that is a precursor of the
Stratum Corneum
keratinocytes. Keratinocytes are
produced from basal cells. - exposed to the outside
- Merkel cell and melanocyte are environment.
two other cell types that are - 15-30 layers of cells
 - this dry, dead layer helps prevent - connects the skin to the
the penetration of microbes and underlying fascia of bones &
the dehydration of underlying muscles.
tissues, a provides mechanical - functions as a mode of fat
protection against abrasions. storage and provides insulation
- exposed to the outside & cushioning for the
environment. integumentary.
- 15-30 layers of cells
- this dry, dead layer helps prevent The hypodermis is home to the most fat
the penetration of microbes and that concerns people when they are
the dehydration of underlying trying to keep their weight under
tissues, a provides mechanical control. Stored fat can serve as energy
protection against abrasions. reserve, insulator to prevent heat loss,
and act as a cushion from trauma.
DERMIS
Fat distribution changes as our bodies
- "Core" of the integumentary mature and age. Men tend to
system accumulate fat in areas such as neck,
- It contains blood and lymph arm, lower back & abdomen, while on
vessels, nerves, and other breast, hips, thighs & buttocks for
structures such as hair follicles women.
and sweat glands.
- Made of two components: Pigmentation
• Papillary layer - The color of the skin is influenced
• Reticular by a number of pigments
Papillary Layer including melanin, carotene, and
hemoglobin.
- within this layer are fibroblasts, - The relative coloration of the skin
adipocytes, and an abundance of depends on the amount of
small blood vessels. melanin produced by
- this layer contains phagocytes, melanocytes in the stratum
defensive cells that help fight basale and taken up by
bacteria or other infections that keratinocytes.
have breached the skin. Skin - Dark-skinned individuals produce
Layer: Dermis Papillary Layer more melanin than those with
- also contains lymphatic pale skin.
capillaries, nerve fibers & touch - Sun exposure stimulates
receptors called the Meissner keratinocytes to secrete
corpuscles. chemicals that stimulate
melanocytes.
Reticular Layer - Too much melanin can interfere
- has a rich sensory and with the production of Vit. D
sympathetic nerve supply.
- elastin fibers provide some
elasticity to the skin, enabling Albinism is a genetic disorder that
movement. affects the coloring of skin, hair & eyes.
- collagen fibers provide structure Individuals with albinism tend to appear
and tensile strength. white or very pale due to the lack of
melanin in their skin & hair.
HYPODERMIS
In Vitiligo, the melanocytes in certain
areas lose their ability to produce
melanin, possibly due to an Sudoriferous (sweat) Gland Eccrine
autoimmune reaction. glands

Neither albinism nor vitiligo directly - coiled tubular gland, duct opens
affects the lifespan of an individual. to the skin surface.
- watery secretion "perspiration"
Other changes in the appearance of skin - widely distributed and abundant
coloration can be indicative of diseases on hands, feet & face
associated with other body systems.
Sudoriferous (sweat) Gland
• liver disease - yellow (jaundiced) Apocrine glands
• Addison's disease - deep bronze
color - ducts empty into hair follicles
• sudden drop in oxygenation - - confined to axillary and genital
white (ashen) regions
• prolonged reduction in oxygen - produce milky sweat - water w/
levels - blue (cyanosis) lipids and protein

Nails

- keratinized plate
- protects the end of the fingers &
toes
Accessory Structures Nails Structures
Accessory structures of the skin are: Nail plate - free edge, nail body & nail
• hair follicles & hair root
• sebaceous (oil) glands Skin near nail:
• sudoriferous (sweat) glands
• nails • Nail bed: under nail body
• Nail fold: over nail root
Hair Follicles - tiny hair producing • Eponychium: margin of nail fold
organs that extend deep into the dermis • Hyponychium: under free edge
and often subcutaneous layers. • Paronychium: near sides of nail
Hair - non-living keratinized structures. plate

Arrector pili muscle Functions of Integumentary System

- involuntary smooth muscle • Protection

attached to hair follicle. • Sensory function
- contracts with heightened • Thermoregulation
emotion and cold temp., pull on • Vitamin D Synthesis
the follicle and raises up the hair Diseases, Disorders, & Injuries of
- "goose bumps" the Integumentary System
Sebaceous (Oil) Gland Skin Cancer
- secrete sebum (oil) into hair - caused by abnormal cells in the
follicle onto skin surface body dividing uncontrollably.
- enlarge during puberty
- keeps hair and skin supple, kills Types:
bacteria
- located primarily on face, chest • Basal cell carcinoma
• Squamous cell carcinoma
• Melanoma
Basal Cell Carcinoma Additional signs for the most serious
form, nodular melanoma
- most common of all skin cancers
- affects the mitotically active stem • Elevated - raised on the skin
cells in the stratum Basale surface
- frequently found on the head, • Firm - feels hard to touch
neck, arms, and back. • Growing - getting larger
- UV rays, radiation & arsenic
exposure, wounds on the skin due Skin Disorders
to open sores, tattoos, burns, etc. • Eczema
are the predisposing factors. • Acne
- Starts w/ stratum Basale and • Seborrheic dermatitis
begins to grow towards the surface • Psoriasis
and becomes an uneven patch, • Cold sores
bump, growth, or scar on the skin • Impetigo
surface. • Scabies
- Treatment options include surgery, • Hives
freezing (cryosurgery), and topical • Warts
ointments.
- affects the keratinocytes of the Eczema
stratum spinosum and presents as
- an allergic reaction manifests as
lesions commonly found on the
dry, itchy patches of the skin that
scalp, ears, and hands.
resembles to rashes.
- more aggressive than basal cell
- maybe accompanied by swelling,
carcinoma
flaking, and bleeding
- surgery and radiation are used to
- Symptoms are managed with
cure Squamous Cell Carcinoma
moisturizers, corticosteroid
Melanoma creams, and immunosuppressants.

- characterized by the uncontrolled Acne

growth of melanocytes.
- result of over-production of
- typically develops from mole and is
sebaceous glands.
the most fatal of all skin cancers.
- typically occurs on the face and
- highly metastatic and can be
back.
difficult to detect before it has
- common along with the onset of
spread to other organs. Melanoma
puberty due to hormonal, but also
- appears as asymmetrical brown
occur in infants.
and black patches w/ uneven
- clogging of pores
boarders and raised surface.
- treatment involves surgical Skin Injuries
excision and immunotherapy.
• Burns
ABCDE mnemonic to help with the • Scars & Keloids
diagnosis of early-stage melanoma. • Bedsore & Strech mark
• Calluses
• Asymmetry - sides are not
symmetrical Burns
• Borders - the edges are irregular in
shape - first-degree burns - epidermal layer
• Color - varied shades of brown or - second-degree burns - epidermal
black to a portion of dermis • third-
• Diameter - larger than 6mm degree burns - epidermis to dermis
• Evolving - shape has changed
 - fourth-degree burns - epidermal to
underlying facsia of muscle &
bones
- burns are sometimes measured in
terms of the size of the total
surface area affected.

Scars & Keloids

- Scarring occurs in the repair of skin

damage, but the skin fails to
regenerate the original skin
structure.
- Keloid occurs due to the
overproduction of scar tissue, bec.
the process of collagen formation
does not stop when the wound is
healed.

Bedsores

- Also called decubitus ulcer, are

caused by constant, long-term,
unrelieved pressure on certain
body parts that are bony, reducing
blood flow to the area and leading
to necrosis (tissue death)

Stretch marks

- formed when the dermis is

stretched beyond its limit of
elasticity, as the skin stretches to
accommodate the excess pressure.
- Initially have reddish hue but
lighten over time.

Calluses

- formed on soles of our feet, as well

as on fingers and palms due to
constant abrasion, and mechanical
stress such as long periods of
writing, playing string instruments
or video games.