Unit 5:

The Integumentary System

•Largest organ system in
the body.
•Includes skin, hair, nails,
glands
Major Components:
• Skin (epidermis & dermis)
• Hypodermis (subcutaneous
tissue)
• Accessory structures: hair,
Functions of the Integumentary
System:

• Protection (physical, chemical,

biological)
• Body temperature regulation
• Cutaneous sensation
• Metabolic functions (e.g., vitamin
Integumentary System:

7% of total body weight.

Pliable but tough.
 consist of 2 layers:
1.Epidermis
2.Dermis
2 distinct layers:

1. Epidermis:
- composed of epithelial cells.
- the outermost protective shield
of the body.

2. Dermis:
- makes up the bulk of the skin.
- tough, leathery layer composed
mostly of connective tissue.
Subcutaneous Tissue
• Lies deep to the skin
• Also known as the “HYPODERMIS” or
superficial fascia.
• Not part of the skin but has skin protective
functions.
• Consists mostly of adipose tissue.
EPIDERMIS

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Cells of Epidermis:

1. Keratinocyte
- produces keratin for protection
- keratin – a fibrous protein that helps give epidermis its protective
properties.
2. Melanocytes
- synthesizes the pigment melanin for UV protection
- melanin – a natural pigment found in most organism which is
crucial in determining the color of the skin, hair and eyes.
3. Dendritic Cells
- “star shaped”
- also called “Langerhans Cells”.
- arises from bone marrow and migrates to the epidermis.
- key activator of immune system.
4. Tactile Epithelial Cells
- also called Merkel Cells
- numerous in sensitive skin areas like fingertips, lips and face.
- involve in sensing light, touch and texture.
- work closely with nerve endings.
Layers of the Epidermis:
 Stratum basale
 Stratum spinosum
 Stratum granulosum
 Stratum lucidum (thick skin
only)
• Stratum Basale
Deepest epidermal layer
Basal Layer
Cell division/regeneration – replaces skin
cells lost at the surface.
Contributes to skin tone via melanin
production
“factory floor” of the epidermis.
• Stratum Spinosum
Prickly layer
Provides strength and flexibility to the
skin.
Protecting barrier against pathogens and
environmental damage.
• Stratum Granulosm
Granular layer
Critical barrier to water, chemicals, and
microbes
Maintains skin hydration by securing in
moisture.
• Stratum Lucidum
Clear layer.
Provides an extra layer of protection in
areas exposed to frequent friction and
pressure.
Contributes to toughness and thickness
of the skin.
• Stratum Corneum
Horny layer
Comes from the Latin word “corneus”
means “horny” of “horn-like”.
Outer most layer of the epidermis
Primary barrier between your body
and external environment.
Skin Pigmentation:

• Melanin – made by melanocytes for protection

against UV.
• Carotene – yellow/orange pigment from the diet.
• Hemoglobin – red pigment which is visible through
pale skin.
• Variation in skin color is due to melanin quantity,
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Just so you know…….

 Thick skin – protects against constant friction, pressure and trauma like walking
and grasping
 Thin skin – allows flexibility, hair growth and oil secretion.
DERMIS
Dermis
• made up of strong, flexible
connective tissue.
• vascular
• two layers:
1. Papillary (superficial)
2. Reticular (deep)
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Papillary Layer (Superficial Dermis)
• Areolar connective tissues which supports
and binds other tissues.
• Contains:
Capillaries that nourishes the epidermis
Dermal papillae: finger-like projection into
epidermis
(in thick skin, DP form friction ridges or
fingerprints)
Reticular Dermis
• Makes up about 80% of dermal
thickness
• Dense irregular connective tissue:
 Collagen fibers for strength and
binding
 Elastic fibers for stretch and
recoil 23
Skin Markings:
1. Cleavage (tension) lines:
• externally visible lines that runs longitudinally in the skin of the
limbs and in circular patterns in the neck and trunk.
2. Flexure lines:
• Dermal folds that occur at or near joints where dermis is tightly
secured to deeper structures.
• Visible on the wrists, fingers, soles and toes.
3. Stretch marks (striae):
• Extreme stretching of the skin such as during pregnancy where it
tears dermis leaving silvery white scars.
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What happens when there is a damage to the dermis?

• Deep cuts or burns that reach the dermis may scar

due to collagen repair
• Dermis houses blood supply, so the if there is a
damage it would cause bleeding.
• Nerve damage here affects sensation like burns
affecting the pain receptors.
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HYPODERMIS
Hypodermis
• Also called superficial fascia
• Not technically part of the skin but
supports it
• Composed mainly of:
• Adipose tissues (fat) 29
Functions:
• Anchors skin to underlying structures
like muscles.
• Insulates the body and conserves heat
• Shock absorption (cushions internal
organs) 30
Subcutaneous Injections:
• Targets for insulin, epinephrine auto injectors, vaccines or
hormone therapies.
• Why in the hypodermis?
 Because it is highly vascularized, allowing slow and
sustained absorption into the bloodstream.
 Less painful than intramascular.
 Safe for self-administration.
• Common injection sites:
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 Abdomen, thigh and upper arm
SKIN
APPANDAGES
Appandages
• are epidermal derivatives rooted in the dermis.
• Functions: aids in protection, temperature regulation,
and sensation
• Major types:
 Hair and hair follicles
 Nails
 Sebaceous (oil) glands
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NAILS
• forms a clear
protective covering on
the dorsal surface of
the distal part of a
finger or toe.
• contains hard keratin.

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SWEAT GLANDS
• also called sudoriferous glands
• are distributed over the entire skin surface
except the nipples and parts of the external
genitalia.
• their number is staggering up to 3 million per
person.
• have two types of sweat glands:
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Eccrine
• also called merocrine sweat glands
• are far more numerous than apocrine sweat
glands
• particularly abundant on the palms, soles of the
feet, and forehead.
• Functions:
• temperature control
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Apocrine
• found mainly in the armpits (axillae) and
anogenital region.
• their ducts open into hair follicles, not directly
onto skin surface.
• normally odorless, but bacteria break it down
causing body odor (musky smell).
• Two important types of modified apocrine glands
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•Ceruminous Glands
 Location: External ear canal
 Function: Produce cerumen (earwax)
 Secretion: Mixture of ceruminous gland secretion + sebum
from sebaceous glands
 Purpose: Protects ear by being sticky & bitter which traps dust,
deters insects, blocks foreign material
•Mammary Glands
 Location: Breasts
 Function: Specialized to secrete milk for nourishment of infants
 Note: Considered part of the integumentary system, but studied
in relation to the female reproductive system. 38
Sebaceous Glands
•Softens & lubricates skin and hair
•Prevents brittleness of hair
•Reduces water loss from skin
•Has bactericidal (bacteria-killing)
properties

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SKIN CONDITIONS
Types of Skin Cancer:
• Basal Cell Carcinoma : Most common, slow-
growing, rarely spreads.
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Faster growing and
may spread.
• Melanoma: Ost dangerous which arises from
melanocytes; fast metastasis. 42
Burn Degrees
• 1st degree – epidermis (red and painful
like sunburn)
• 2nd degree – epidermis and dermis
(causes blisters and swelling)
• 3rd degree – full thickness (charred and
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RULE of NINES
- estimates the percentage of the body
surface burn.
- this method divides the body into 11 areas,
each accounting for 9% of total body area,
plus an additional area surrounding the
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genitals accounting for 1% of body surface
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Effects of Aging on Skin:
• Thinner skin and fewer melanocytes
• Wrinkles and prominent and healing
is slower.
• Less Vitamin D production
• Weaker barrier and immune defence
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