The Integumentary System

The Integumentary System

• Skin- An aggregation of tissues that performs a certain function (organ).

• Carries out a specialized function• Occupies (3000sq in) in area.

The Functions of the Skin1. Regulate Body Temperature- Accomplished by

glands(sweat= cooling) …blood flow can also change temperature.

2. Protection- Physical Barrier, protects from abrasion, bacteria, dehydration, and UV rays.

3. Reception of Stimuli- Sensitive to temperature, touch, pressure, pain.

4. Excretion- Releases; water, salts, etc.5. Synthesis Vitamin D- Produces the most active

form of Vitamin D.6. Immunity- Cells of the skin are involved in

Immune response; Langerhans & Granstein cells.

Layers of the Skin

• Epidermis

• Dermis

• Hypodermis

The Epidermis• Three main types of cells make up the

Epidermis.• Kerationocytes- waterproofs the skin.• Melanocytes- responsible for skin color.• Nonpigmented Granular Dendrocytes- Involved in

immune response.• Langerhans Cells• Granstein Cells

• The 5 Layers of the Epidermis1. Stratum Basale2. Stratum Spinosum3. Stratum Granulosum4. Stratum Lucidum5. Stratum Corneum

The Dermis• Very thick on palm of hand and sole of

feet.

• Contains numerous blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

• Two divisions of the Dermis1. Papillary Region

• Contains Fraction Ridges, form fingerprint.

2. Reticular Region• Strength, Extensibility, Elasticity

• Striae- Silver/White streaks, stretch marks.

The Hypodermis

• Layer of areolar and adipose tissue under the dermis.

• Allows the other layer to anchor to the body.

Skin Color• The color of skin is due to

pigment(melanin) in the skin, and the amount varies from person to person (pale, yellow, black).

• Albinism- Absence of pigment.

• Vitiligo- Patchy white spots due to loss of pigment.

• Freckles- Concentration of pigment (melanin) in patches in the skin.

Accessory Structures• Hair-Protects from heat and foreign

objects.

• Nail- Plates of tightly packed, hard cells of the epidermis.

• Glands- Oil, Sweat, Wax

Injuries or Trauma to the Integumentary System

• Injuries to the intergumentary system are very common.

• These injuries are open wounds( breaks in epithelium).

Injuries or Trauma to the Integumentary System

• Abrasion- Results from scraping against a solid object, bleeding can be slight.

Injuries or Trauma to the Integumentary System

• Incision- Linear cut produced by sharp objects, bleeding can be severe if deep vessels are damaged.

• Laceration- Jagged, Irregular tear in the skin’s surface, bleeding can be severe, lacerations are prone to infection.

• Puncture- Results from slender, pointed object piercing the epithelium. Little bleeding.

• Avulsion- A chunk of tissue torn away by brute force, considerable bleeding, more serious injuries are possible.