Type of Activity:

⎕Concept Notes ⎕Laboratory ⎕Individual ⎕Quiz ⎕Formative ⎕Summative

⎕Exercise/Drill ⎕Art/Drawing ⎕Pair/Group ⎕Others, specify_____________________________

Topic: Integumentary System

Learning 1. Compare the layers of the skin; and

2. Distinguish the appendages of the skin.
Targets:

References: Cohen, B. J., & Taylor, J. J. (2005). Memmler's Human Body in

Health and Disease (10th ed.). Baltimore, MD: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins.

Mader, S. S. (2004). Understanding Human Anatomy & Physiology

(5th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education.

Marieb, E. N. (2014). Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology

(10th ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Scanlon, V. C., & Sanders, T. (2007). Essentials of Anatomy and

Physiology (5th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Company.

Tate, P. (2009). Seeley's Principles of Anatomy and Physiology.

Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill.

VanPutte, C., Regan, J., & Russo, A. (2010). Fundamentals of

Human Anatomy & Physiology (7th ed.). New Delhi, India:
Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Company Limited

1. TO ENGAGE

What is the largest organ in the human body?

2. TO EXPLORE

Yes, the skin is the largest organ in the human body. The integumentary system
is familiar to most people because it can easily be observed. Some people find it
attractive if you have no skin blemishes whereas acne is sometimes results to
embarrassment for some people. Moreover, wrinkles and loss of hair are signs of aging
that some people find unattractive. These observations indicate physiological
imbalances in the body (Tate, 2009). This module provides an overview on the parts of
the integumentary system and their functions.

3. TO EXPLAIN

The integumentary system includes the skin which is a protective covering. It is

durable, flexible and multi-functional. Aside from the skin, it also includes blood vessels,

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nerves and sensory organs. Appendages are also prominent such as nails, hairs and
glands. Integumentary comes from the word "integument" which means covering
(Cohen & Taylor, 2005).

There are several functions of the integumentary system. One of these is

protection of the deeper tissues from desiccation. This is possible because the skin
contains glycolipid and keratin. Further, mechanical damage is avoided because of
keratin which hardens the skin and fat cells which cushion blows. The skin is protected
from chemical damage (acids and bases) because of impermeable keratinized cells and
from bacterial damage because of the acidic secretions in the skin which inhibit
bacterial growth. Phagocytes also ingest foreign pathogens and substances that are in
contact with the skin. Skin also protects the body from ultraviolet radiation due to
melanin production. Sweat glands in the skin aid in body loss and heat retention.
Moreover, the integumentary system supports the excretion of urea and uric acid.
Lastly, the skin synthesizes vitamin D from cholesterol (Marieb, 2014).

4. TO ELABORATE (to extend, connect, rationalize, and apply)

Layers of the Skin

There are generally two layers of the skin which are the epidermis and dermis.
Figure 32 shows the parts of the skin.

Figure 32. Parts of the integumentary system

Source: [Link]

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Epidermis is the outer layer of the skin. There are no capillaries in this layer,
hence, cells must be supplied by capillaries from the dermis. Its outermost cells are
constantly lost by wear and tear. It has four layers which are stratum basale, stratum
granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum lucidum. In its deepest layer is found the
stratum basale (germinativum) where there is a constant division of cells. New cells are
being pushed upward to the surface of the skin. When there is a loss of nourishment the
cytoplasm of epidermal cells is being replaced by a protein called keratin which is
produced by keratinocytes. This protein thickens and protects the skin. Those epidermal
cells are already dead and are found in the uppermost layer which is called stratum
corneum. It is deeper in thick skin than in thin skin. Exfoliation occurs when cells are lost
and replaced from below. Melanin is a pigment that gives color to the skin and
protection from sunlight. This is produced by melanocytes in stratum basale. Freckles
are irregular patches of melanin (Cohen & Taylor, 2005).

Dermis is the second layer of the skin. It is composed of dense connective tissue.
Epidermal appendages, blood vessels and nerves are found in this layer. Sagging of the
skin is caused by the deficiency of collagen and elastic fibers which are present in this
layer. Blood vessels function in maintaining the temperature of the body. Papillary and
reticular layers are its two regions. The papillary layer is in the upper dermal region and
has projections called dermal papillae. Papillae are arranged into patterns showing
ridges on the soles of the palms and feet. Those ridges increase friction which
enhances our gripping ability. They form our fingerprints and they are unique for every
individual. Reticular layer is the deepest skin layer. It has pressure receptors, oil glands
and sweat glands. Phagocytes in this layer prevent bacteria from penetrating the deeper
part of the body (Marieb, 2014).

Subcutaneous tissue is found under the skin and is not technically a part of the
integumentary system. It is also called as the hypodermis. It is the tissue that attaches
the skin to the bone and muscle. It provides the skin with blood vessels and nerves.
Cells found within the subcutaneous tissue are adipose cells, macrophages and
fibroblasts. Approximately half the body's stored fat is found in the subcutaneous tissue.
This stored fat serves as insulation, source of energy and padding (Tate, 2009).

Appendages of the Skin

The appendages or accessory structures of the skin include hair, receptors, nails
and skin glands. Figure 32 shows the appendages of the skin.

Hairs almost cover the entire body. They are absent in the palms of the hands
and soles of the feet, nipples, lips and some parts of the genital areas. They consist of
keratin and are dead. Examples of their functions are in the protection of the eyes
through the eyelashes and from foreign substances in the respiratory tract through the

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hairs in the nose. They also provide insulation. Furthermore, they developed from
dividing cells at the base of the hair follicle. Hair color is due to the presence of
melanocytes in this area. Shaft is the structure that protrudes above the skin while the
hair root is below the skin. Goosebumps are produced when arrector pili which is a
muscle in the skin contracts making the hair to stand up. Hairs are important for furry
animals to conserve heat. When arrector pili contracts sebum is released by the
sebaceous gland for skin lubrication (Cohen & Taylor, 2005). Figure 32 shows the
structure of the hair.

Receptors are structures that detect a particular stimuli. Most of them are in the
dermis. The senses are pressure, touch, cold, heat and pain. Free nerve endings detect
heat, cold and pain. Encapsulated nerve endings detect pressure and touch. The
sensitivity of the skin area is determined by the number of receptors present. For
example the fingertips are more sensitive than the upper arm. When receptors sense
changes they send nerve impulses or signals to the brain to interpret it and elicit a
response (Scanlon & Sanders, 2007).

Nails refer to layers of keratinized dead stratum corneum. Nail body is the visible
part of the nail while nail root is covered by the skin. The eponychium or cuticle is a
stratum corneum that extends to the nail body. The cells that form the nail are produced
by the nail matrix and bed. Nail matrix is responsible in nail growth. Lunula is the white,
crescent-shaped area at the base of the nail. Nails grow through the process of
extrusion (VanPutte, Regan & Russo, 2010). Figure 33 shows the anatomy of a nail.

Figure 33. Nail anatomy (VanPutte, Regan & Russo, 2004).

Glands are specialized organs that secrete substances into ducts. Mammary
glands, sebaceous glands and sweat glands are found in the skin. Mammary glands are
found within the breasts. Milk is produced within the alveoli which are grouped together
forming lobules. Lobules are further grouped into lobes within the breasts. During
secretion milk enters a duct that opens to the nipple. Milk production only occurs after

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childbirth. Sebaceous glands are mostly associated with hair follicles. They secrete
sebum which is an oily substance in the skin surface for lubrication of the skin and hair
as well as making the skin waterproof. Whiteheads and blackheads are formed when
sebaceous glands fail to secrete sebum but is stuck within. Lastly, sweat glands
(sudoriferous glands) are found in all skin regions. Their two types are apocrine and
eccrine glands. Apocrine glands are present in the armpits, groin and anal region and
their secretion is associated with sex attractant. In contrast, when the person is hot,
eccrine glands lower the body temperature through perspiration. Earwax is produced by
ceruminous glands which are modified sweat glands (Mader, 2004).

5. TO EVALUATE

TASK A. To compare the layers of the skin complete the table below. Write your short
answers inside the boxes.

COMPARISON EPIDERMIS DERMIS

LOCATION

LAYERS

FUNCTIONS

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TASK B. To distinguish the appendages of the skin complete the table below. Write
your short answers inside the boxes.

COMPARISON HAIRS RECEPTORS NAILS SKIN GLANDS

STRUCTURE

IMPORTANCE

TASK C. Label the parts of the integumentary system. Write your answers beside the
numbers.

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