Integumentary System

• Integumentary system


  The organ of the body that forms a physical barrier between the external environment and the internal body part
• Components of the integumentary system

  • Skin
  • Hair
  • Nail
  • Glands
• Skin


  • It is the outer layer of the body that covers the internal parts of the body
  • It has three major layers: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis
• Epidermis


  • The outermost layer of the skin
  • Made up of dead cells
  • Used to reduce excess water loss, protect from light ray (UV light) and protect from entry of disease causing microorganisms
• Dermis


  • The middle layer of the skin
  • Contains blood vessels responsible for thermoregulation, lymph vessels, sweat glands, sensory receptors and hair follicles
• Hypodermis


  • The lower layer of the skin
  • Contains fatty tissue that is used to store energy and act as an insulation layer to protect from loss of excess heat
• Hair


  • Come from follicles which are simple organs made up of epithelial cells
  • The outer layer of hair is the shaft that is made up of dead cells that turned into keratin and binding materials
  • The hair shaft is formed from three layers: medulla, cortex, and cuticle
• Nail


  • The hard, protective covering at the end of the finger or toe
  • Consists of several parts: nail plate, nail bed, cuticle, nail folds, and lunula
  • The matrix, which is the part of the nail that is not visible, is responsible for the growth of the fingernail
• Types of exocrine glands in the integumentary system

  • Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands)
  • Sebaceous glands
  • Ceruminous glands
  • Mammary glands
• Major skin diseases and disorders

  • Acne
  • Rosacea
  • Eczema
  • Hives
  • Warts
  • Cold sore
  • Carbuncle
  • Blister
  • Actinic keratosis
  • Latex allergy
  • Chickenpox
• Acne


  • A disease of the oil-secreting glands of the skin that often affects adolescents, producing eruptions on the face, neck, and shoulders that can leave pitted scars
  • Caused by when the pores of the skin become blocked with oil, dead skin or bacteria
  • Commonly located on faces, neck, shoulders, chest, and upper back
  • Symptoms include tips, large, solid, painful, and lumps under the skin
• Rosacea


  • A recurring inflammatory disorder of the skin of the nose, cheeks, and forehead that is characterized by swelling, dilation of capillaries, pimples, and a reddened appearance
  • Most commonly associated with redness
• Eczema


  • An inflammation of the skin characterized by reddening and itching and the formation of scaly or crusty patches that may leak fluid
  • Includes dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by redness, skin swelling, itching and dryness, crusting, cracking or bleeding
• Hives


  • Itchy welts that are raised up from the normal layer of the skin
  • Frequently caused by allergic reactions in the body but also caused by outside factors such as stress, illnesses, or tight clothes
• The integumentary system is the largest organ system, consisting of skin, hair, nails, glands, and sensory receptors.
• Skin has three layers: epidermis (outermost), dermis (middle layer), hypodermis/subcutaneous tissue (deepest).
• Keratinocytes make keratin, a protein that forms the outer protective layer of the skin.