Share Integumentary System Week 26
Save to Folder
Integumentary system
The skin and its accessory structures, including oil and sweat glands, hair, and nails.
Skin
The largest organ of the body that protects and covers the internal organs from the external environment.
Main function of the skin
To protect and cover the internal organs of the body from the external environment.
Functions of the integumentary system
Protects deeper body organs from physical, chemical, thermal damage, UV radiation, and bacteria.
Physical damage
Bumps and cuts that are cushioned by fat cells and alerted by pressure receptors.
Chemical damage
Blocked by specialized keratin cells in the upper layer of the skin.
Thermal damage
Detected by hot, cold, and pain sensory receptors in the skin.
UV radiation
Partially protected against by melanin produced by the skin.
Bacteria
Destroyed by acidic skin secretions and immune cells if it enters through an open wound.
Epidermis
Composed of five layers of skin, primarily keratin cells that produce tough keratin.
Structure of skin
Made up of the epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (second layer of dense connective tissue).
Dermis
A strong and stretchy layer of skin made up of the papillary layer and the reticular layer.
Collagen and elastin fibers
Decrease with age, causing the skin to sag and wrinkle.
Accessory structures of the skin
Include oil and sweat glands, hair, and nails.
Sweat glands
Eccrine and apocrine glands that secrete sweat to regulate body temperature.
Eccrine glands
Widely distributed sweat glands that respond to internal and external temperature changes.
