INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

Outline:  Outer, most superficial layer

I. Function of Integumentary System  Avascular
II. Skin Anatomy: Epidermis, Dermis,  Regenerates every 4 – 6 weeks
Subcutaneous Tissue
III. Accessory Structures a. STRATUM CORNEUM
 Uppermost layer
SKIN (INTEGUMENT)  20 -30 layers of dead keratinocytes
 Covers the external surface of the body  Cells from stratum lucidum push up 
 Largest organ of the body in weight (7% of cells from this shed  skin flakes/dandruff
total body weight)  Function:
 Protects skin
FUNCTIONS  Decreases water entry and loss from
a. Protection skin
 Keratin protects tissues against b. STRATUM LUCIDUM
abrasion, UV light, microorganisms  Fourth layer
 Lipid inhibits water evaporation (water  2 – 3 layers of dead keratinocytes
retention)  Only found in thick skin (e.g., palms, soles)
b. Sensation (heat, cold, touch, pressure, pain) c. STRATUM GRANULUSOM
 Third layer
Free nerve endings Pain, itch
 3 – 5 layers of keratinocytes undergoing
Merkel’s keratinization
Light touch  Epidermal skin barrier
Meissner’s d. STRATUM SPINOSUM
 Second layer
Ruffini’s corpuscles Heat
 8 – 10 keratinocyte layers that no longer
Krause end bulb Cold divide
 (+) Dendritic cells – antigen presenting
Pacinian corpuscle Pressure, vibration cell (APC)
c. Temperature regulation  Protects the basale
 Adjusting blood flow e. STRATUM BASALE
 Sweating  Innermost layer
d. Vitamin D production (synthesis)  Simple columnar layer of stem cells
 UVR activates Vitamin D  Site for epidermal regeneration
 Activated Vitamin D: CALCITRIOL (1,25-  Cells:
dihydroxycholecalciferol)  Keratinocytes (protein keratin)
 7-Dihydrocholesterol (natural vitamin D  Melanocytes (pigment melanin)
source)
e. Excretion and absorption DERMIS
 Excrete: water, salts, urea, uric acid,  AKA: Corium (TRUE SKIN)
ammonia  Vascular
 Absorb: Vitamin A, D, E, K  Layers:
a. Papillary
LAYERS OF THE SKIN  Fibroblasts – (+) collagen
 (+) blood vessels, macrophages,
nerve endings
 Fingerprints
b. Reticular
 Fibroblasts – (+) elastin
 (+) glands, lymphatics, blood
vessels, hair follicles, nerve
endings
 Temperature regulation

EPIDERMIS SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE

Page 1 of 3 Lecture by: Mary Jane G. Trivino

 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
 AKA: hypodermis
 Adipocytes, fibroblasts
 (+) blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics
 Function:
 Insulation
 Padding/cushion
 Anchor

ACCESSORY STRUCTURE
a. Hair
b. Nail
c. Glands

HAIR
 Vellus hair – short, fine, pale hair that are
barely visible to the naked eyes
 Terminal hair – long, coarse, heavily
pigmented hair

NAIL

 Present everywhere, except palms, soles,

lips
 Hair Follicle
 Encloses the hair root and anchors
the hair
 Produces and supports hair shaft  Thin plate of unalived stratum corneum
 Site of hair shaft formation and with every hard keratin
pigmentation  FOX:
 Hair Papilla  Middle fingers grow fastest
 Supplies nutrients and signals for  Thumb and little fingers grow
hair growth slowest
 Regulates hair growth by signaling  Nail grows faster in summer than
to the follicle’s matrix cells in winter
 Erector/Arrector Pili Muscle
 “Goose Bumps”
 Piloerection
 Eyelashes – 30 days; rest for 105 days
 Scalp – 3 years; rest for 1 – 2 years

Page 2 of 3 Lecture by: Mary Jane G. Trivino

 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
GLANDS
a. Sebaceous Gland
 AKA: oil gland
 Holocrine (secrete oil and entire
cell)
 Secrete: sebum/oil (through hair
follicles)
 Lubrication and hydration
 (-) palms, soles
b. Sudoriferous Gland
 AKA: sweat glands
 Function: thermoregulation, waste
removal
 Eccrine
 Merocrine (sweat only)
 (-) lips, ear canal, clitoris,
glands
 Drains into sweat pores
 Apocrine
 (+) armpits and genitals
 Holocrine (secrete sweat
and entire cell) and
merocrine

Page 3 of 3 Lecture by: Mary Jane G. Trivino