Composed of the skin, hair, oil and sweat glands, nails and sensory receptors
Integumentary system
Helps maintain a constant body temperature, protects the body, and provides sensory information about the surrounding environment
Dermatology
Medical specialty that deals with the structure, function, and disorders of the integumentary system
Skin
Covers the external surface of the body and is by weight the largest organ of the body
Layers of skin
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous tissue
Epidermis
Superficial, thinner portion, composed of epithelial tissue; Avascular
Dermis
Thicker connective tissue portion; dermis is highly vascular
Subcutaneous tissue
Also called the hypodermis; the tissue consists of areolar and adipose tissues; Contains nerve endings called "lamellar corpuscles" or Pacinian corpuscles that are sensitive to pressure
Cell types in epidermis
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Dendritic cells
Tactile epithelial cells
Keratinocytes
Produce a fibrous protein called "keratin"; Also produce lamellar granules, which release a water-repellent sealant that decreases water entry and loss and inhibits the entry of foreign materials
Melanocytes
Pigment producing cells of the body; Produce the pigment melanin (yellow-red or brown-black pigment)
Dendritic cells (Langerhan cells)
Arise from red bone marrow and migrate to the epidermis, where they constitute about 5% of the epidermal cells; Involved in immune response
Tactile epithelial cells (Merkel cells)
Least numerous (2%); Located in the deepest layer; They make contact with the flattened process of a sensory neuron (nerve cell), called a non-encapsulated sensory corpuscle or Merkel disc
Epidermal layers
Stratum basale
Stratum spinosum
Stratum granulosum
Stratum lucidum
Stratum corneum
Stratum basale (Stratum germinativum)
Deepest layer; Single-row of cuboidal or columnar keratinocytes; Some cells are stem cells that undergo cell division; Contains keratin intermediate filaments (tonofilaments)
Stratum spinosum
Superficial to stratum basale; Numerous keratinocytes arranged in 8-10 layers with bundles of keratin intermediate filaments
Stratum granulosum
5 rows of flattened keratinocytes, in which organelles are beginning to degenerate; Contains keratohyalin and lamellar granules
Stratum lucidum
Present only in skin of palms, palmar surfaces of digits, soles, and plantar surfaces of toes; Consists of 4-6 rows of clear, flat, dead keratinocytes with large amounts of keratin
Stratum corneum
Few to 50 or more rows of dead, flat keratinocytes that contain mostly keratin
Dermis
Composed of irregular connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers; Woven network of fibers has great tensile strength and ability to stretch and recoil easily; Much thicker than epidermis
Cell types in dermis
Fibroblasts
Macrophages
Adipocytes
Structures in dermis
Blood vessels
Nerves
Glands
Hair follicles
Layers of dermis
Papillary dermis
Reticular dermis
Papillary dermis
About 1/5 of thickness of the total layer; Contains thin collagen and fine elastic fibers; Surface area is increased by dermal papillae; Contains capillary loops and some tactile receptors or free nerve endings
Reticular dermis
Attached to subcutaneous tissue; Contains bundles of thick collagen fibers, scattered fibroblast, and various wandering cells (macrophages); Collagen fibers are arranged in netlike manner and have a more regular arrangement than those in papillary dermis
Epidermal ridges
Produced during the 3rd month of fetal development; Follow the contour of the dermal papillae of the papillary dermis
Fingerprints
Formed by the ducts of the sweat glands opening on the tops of the epidermal ridges as sweat pores
Skin pigments
Melanin
Hemoglobin
Carotene
Melanin
Causes the skin's color to vary from pale yellow to reddish-brown to black; Synthesized by melanocytes from the amino acid tyrosine in the presence of tyrosinases; Serves a protective function by absorbing UV radiation
Pheomelanin
Yellow to red pigment
Eumelanin
Brown to black pigment
Albinism
Inherited inability of an individual to produce melanin; Melanocytes are unable to synthesize tyrosinase
Vitiligo
Partial or complete loss of melanocytes from patches of skin produces irregular white spots; Due to immune system malfunction
Accessory structures of the skin
Hair
Skin glands
Nails
Hair
Present on most skin surfaces except the nipples, the palms, palmar surfaces of the fingers, the soles, the plantar surface of the toes, and labia minora, and prepuce of the penis; Consists of hair shaft and hair root
Layers of hair
Medulla
Cortex
Cuticle
Skin glands
Include sebaceous glands and sudoriferous glands
Nails
Keratinized structures on the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes