Integumentary System

• Skin General Characteristics

  • Composed of several tissue types• Maintains homeostasis• Protective covering• Retards water loss• Regulates body temperature• Houses sensory receptors• Contains immune system cells• Synthesizes chemicals• Excretes small amounts of wastes
• Epidermis

  Lacks blood vessels• Keratinized• Thickest on palms andsoles (0.8-1.4mm)• Melanocytes provide melanin• Rests on basement membra