INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM – consists of the skin and accessory structures such as hair, glands and nails
INTEGUMENT – “covering”; protective function
MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM:
1. PROTECTION – the skin provides protection against abrasion and ultraviolet light… it also prevents the
entry of microorganisms and the occurrence of dehydration

2. SENSATION – the system contains sensory receptors (detects heat, cold, touch, pressure and pain)

3. VITAMIN D PRODUCTION – the skin produces a molecule that can transform into Vitamin D when it is
exposed to UV light… Vitamin D enhances calcium (regulates calcium homeostasis)

CHOLECALCIFEROL (Vitamin D3) – from sunlight

ERGOCALCIFEROL (Vitamin D2) – from diet (eggs, milk and margarine)

7-DEHYDROCHOLESTEROL + SUNLIGHT  SKIN PHOTOLYSIS  7-DEHYDROCHOLESTEROL in the

stratum basale is sent to the liver for HYDROXYLATION, which transforms to CALCIDIOL  Calcidiol
goes to the kidneys  The kidney hydroxylizes the calcidiol into Vitamin D3

4. TEMPERATURE REGULATION – The amount of blood flow beneath the skin’s surface and the activity of
sweat glands in the skin both help regulate the body’s temperature
a. HEAT LOSS (through VASODILATION) – the sweat glands are activated, allowing blood to flow into
the capillary beds
b. HEAT RETENTION (through VASOCONSTRICTION) – blood is not allowed to flush into the skin

1|Integumentary system
 capillaries

HEAT = Blood Volume  Dilate  Increase in Blood Supply

COLD = Blood Volume  Constrict  Decrease in Blood Supply and Dissipation of Heat

5. EXCRETION – removal of waste products in the body

BASIC LAYERS OF THE SKIN:

1. EPIDERMIS – the most superficial layer of the skin… prevents water loss and resists abrasion

2. DERMIS – a layer of dense connective tissue… 10-20 times thicker than the epidermis… responsible for
the skin’s structural strength

3. HYPODERMIS or SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE/LAYER – a layer of connective tissue… not part of the skin
but it connects the skin to underlying muscle/bone… contains half of the body’s stored fats… serves
as a shock absorber and insulates the deeper tissues from extreme temperature changes… responsible
for the “curves” in a woman’s body
1. EPIDERMIS – stratified squamous epithelium…new cells are produced by mitosis in its deepest layers…
as new cells form, older cells are pushed superficially where they slough or flake off. These outermost
cells protect the cells underneath while the deeper, replicating cells replace the cells lost from the
surface… Cells change their shape and chemical composition during their movement

KERATINIZATION – cells become filled with KERATIN which makes them hard… as the process
proceeds, epithelial cells die and produce and outer layer of dead, hard cells that resists abrasion and
forms a barrier

STRATA – distinct layers of the skin

1. STRATUM BASALE – the deepest layer… consists of cuboidal or columnar cells and undergoes
mitotic division every 19 days… cells from this stratum take 40-56 days to reach the surface… as cells
move towards the surface, changes in the cells produce intermediate strata
– also known as the STRATUM GERMINATIVUM… germinativum = growth

2. STRATUM CORNEUM – most superficial stratum… consists of dead, squamous cells filled with hard
protein, keratin, which gives it its structural strength… lipids in this layer help prevent fluid loss through
the skin… composed of 25 or more layers of dead squamous cells joined by DESMOSOMES –
mechanical link that bind adjacent cells together

DANDRUFF – excessive stratum cells sloughed from the surface of the scalp
CALLUS – “kalyo” – thickened area produced when the skin is subjected to friction thus resulting to an
increase in the number of layers in the stratum corneum
2|Integumentary system
 CORN – a cone-shaped structure caused by thickening of the stratum corneum over bony prominences

DERMIS – composed of dense collagenous connective tissue containing fibroblasts, adipocytes and
macrophages… nerve endings, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands and lymphatic vessels extend into
the dermis… abundant with collagen and elastic fibers which are responsible for its structural strength

CLEAVAGE LINES or TENSION LINES – produced by collagen fibers oriented in varying directions

STRIAE or STRETCH MARKS – outstretching of the dermis… rapid weight gain may cause this

DERMAL PAPILLAE – finger-like projections in the upper part of the dermis which extend toward the
epidermis… contains many blood vessels that supply the overlying epidermis with nutrients, remove
wastes and regulate temperature… the dermal papillae in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
are arranged in definite patterns that form looped ridges in the epidermal surface (fingerprints and
footprints)…these ridges increase friction and enhance the grasping or gripping ability of the hands and
feet

FINGERPRINTS – identifying films of sweat, formed by the ridges of the fingertip, which is well
provided with sweat pores
SKIN COLOR

MELANIN – pigment that ranges in color from yellow to brown to black… produced by special cells
called MELANOCYTES… it is found chiefly in the stratum basale… responsible for color of the skin, hair
and the eyes… it is a protective pigment

MELANOSOMES – “packaged melanin” – the vesicles (with melanin) derived from the Golgi apparatus

The melanin pigment may form freckles, moles, darkened areas in the genitalia, nipples, areola, lips,
palms of hands and the soles of the feet

FACTORS INFLUENCING MELANIN PRODUCTION:

a. Genetic Factors
b. Exposure to light (ex: ultraviolet light increases melanin production = suntan)
c. Hormones – ex: estrogen and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) cause an increase in
melanin production during a mother’s pregnancy… “the mask of pregnancy”)

ALBINISM – a recessive genetic trait that causes a deficiency or absence of melanin… characterized by fair
skin, white hair and unpigmented irises in the eyes

CYANOSIS – bluish decoloration of the skin caused by a decrease in the blood oxygen content
BLUSHING – caused by an increase in blood supply
3|Integumentary system
BIRTHMARKS – a congenital disorder of the capillaries in the dermis
CAROTENE – a yellow pigment found in plants such as squash and carrots… it is lipid-soluble and if taken in
large amounts, the skin may turn yellowish

SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE –attaches the skin to underlying bone and muscle… supplies it with blood vessels
and nerves… it is not part of the skin… sometimes called as the HYPODERMIS… a loose connective tissue
that contains about half of the body’s stored fat… the fat in this layer functions as padding and insulation
and it is responsible for some of the differences in appearance between men and women

The subcutaneous tissue may be used to estimate the total body fat  The skin and subcutaneous tissue
are pinched at selected locations and the thickness of the fold is measured  The thicker the fold, the
greater the amount of total body fat… a female’s acceptable percentage of body fat varies from 21% to
30% while for a male, it is only 13% to 25% (A percentage above these ranges indicates obesity)

ACCESSORY SKIN STRUCTURES or APPENDAGES:

1. HAIR – also called FUR (if it is in large amounts) – found everywhere on the skin except on the palms,
soles, lips, nipples, parts of the genitalia, and distal parts of the fingers and toes

a. HAIR BULB – the “growth zone”

b. CORTEX – central core covering
c. MEDULLA – the “central core”
d. CUTICLE – the heaviest keratinized region
Each HAIR arises from a HAIR FOLLICLE (an extension of the epidermis that originates deep in the
dermis)… The SHAFT of the hair protrudes above the surface of the skin, whereas the ROOT and HAIR
BULB are below the surface…

…a hair has a hard CORTEX which surrounds a softer center called the MEDULLA… The cortex is
covered by the CUTICLE (a single layer of overlapping cells that holds the hair in the follicle)

The HAIR FOLLICLE can play an important role in skin repair... If the surface epidermis is damaged, the
epithelial cells within the follicle can divide and become a source of new cells.

HAIR is produced in the HAIR BULB, which rests on the HAIR PAPILLA... Blood vessels within the papilla
supply the hair bulb with the nourishment needed to produce hair

The HAIR ROOT and SHAFT consist of columns of dead, keratinized, epithelial cells

Eye lashes grow for about 30 days and rest for 105 days whereas scalp hairs grow for 3 years and rest
for 1-2 years.

Hair color is determined by varying amounts and types of melanin… the production and distribution of
4|Integumentary system
 melanin by the melanocytes occurs in the hair bulb… With age, the amount of melanin can decrease
thus resulting to the fading of the hair color… White hair = no melanin; Gray hair = mixture of hairs

2. MUSCLE – associated with each hair follicle are smooth muscle cells called the ARRECTOR PILI

*Contraction of the arrector pili causes the hair to become more perpendicular to the skin’s surface or
to “stand on end” and produces a raised area of the skin called a “goose bump”

3. GLANDS

TWO MAJOR GLANDS OF THE SKIN: SEBACEOUS GLANDS and SWEAT GLANDS

1. SEBACEOUS GLANDS – simple, branched acinar (sac-like) glands

 SEBUM – the oily white substance produced by the sebaceous glands…rich in lipids… it
lubricates the hair and the skin, which prevents drying and kills bacteria... released by holocrine
secretion
 WHITEHEADS – caused by the blockage of sebaceous glands

 BLACKHEADS – caused by the accumulated material which oxidizes, dries and then darkens

ACNE – caused by an infection in the sebaceous gland

 SEBORRHEA or SEBORRHEAL DERMATITIS – known as the “cradle cap” in infants – it is caused
by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands

2. SWEAT GLANDS
 SWEAT – the clear secretion (produced by the sweat glands) that is primarily water, salts,
vitamin C and it may contain traces of metabolic wastes and lactic acid

2 MAJOR TYPES OF SWEAT GLANDS:

a. ECCRINE or MEROCRINE SWEAT GLANDS – simple, coiled, tubular glands located in almost every
part of the skin but it is numerous in the palms and soles

b. APOCRINE SWEAT GLANDS – simple, coiled, tubular glands which produce a thick secretion of
organic substances… open to the hair follicles but only in the axilla (armpits) and in the genitalia… they
are larger than the merocrine glands… becomes active at puberty stage… “Body odor”

4. NAIL – a thin plate consisting of dead, stratum corneum cells that contain a very hard type of keratin

The visible part of the nail is the NAIL BODY and the part of the nail covered by skin is the NAIL ROOT…

5|Integumentary system
 The CUTICLE or EPONYCHIUM is the stratum corneum that extends onto the nail body… The nail root
extends distally from the NAIL MATRIX… The nail also attaches to the underlying NAIL BED, which is
located distal to the matrix… The nail matrix and bed are epithelia tissues with a stratum basale that
gives rise to the cells that produces most of the nail… The LUNULA (a small part of the matrix) can be
seen as a whitish, crescent-shaped are at the base of the nail

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM:

1. PROTECTION:

a. The intact skin plays an important role in REDUCING WATER LOSS because its lipids act as a barrier to
the diffusion of water

b. The skin prevents THE ENTRY OF MICROORGANISMS AND OTHER FOREIGN SUBSTANCES into the
body

c. The skin PROTECTS UNDERLYING TISSUES against abrasion

d. Melanin ABSORBS UV light and PROTECTS UNDERLYING STRUCTURES from its effects

e. Hair provides protection in several ways: Hair on the head acts as a HEAT INSULATOR, eyebrows
keep sweat out of the eyes, eyelashes protects eyes from foreign objects and hair in the nose prevents
the entry of dust and other materials

f. The nails PROTECT THE ENDS OF FINGERS & TOES from damage and can be used in defense

2. SENSATION – the skin detects pain, heat, cold, pressure and other stimuli

Heat can be lost through RADIATION (infrared energy), CONVECTION (air movement), CONDUCTION
(direct contact) and EVAPORATION (through sweat)

3. EXCRETION – remove wastes products, water and salts, urea, uric acid, ammonia, etc.Z

4. VITAMIN D PRODUCTION

INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM AS DIAGNOSTIC AID:

1. CYANOSIS – detects decrease in oxygen level… impaired circulatory and respiratory function
2. JAUNDICE – detects liver damages such as viral hepatitis (yellow color)
3. RASHES or LESIONS – detects bacterial infection
4. IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA – may be detected through the presence of flat or concave nails
5. LEVELS OF LEAD IN HAIR – detects lead poisoning

6|Integumentary system
6. VITAMIN A DEFICIENCY – detected through excess keratin production and “sand paper” texture

BURNS
1. FIRST-DEGREE BURN – involves the epidermis… red and painful… slight edema or swelling… may be
caused by sunburn or a brief exposure to hot/cold objects… could heal without scarring in about a week

2.SECOND-DEGREE BURN – there is a minimal dermis damage… has redness, pain, edema and blisters…
heals in about two weeks… there is no scarring… if the damage goes deep within dermis, it appears red,
tan or white… take several months to heal and may scar after healing

3. THIRD-DEGREE BURNS or FULL-THICKNESS BURNS – the epidermis and dermis are completely
destroyed… usually painless because sensory receptors in the dermis or epidermis were already
destroyed.. appears white, tan, brown or black or deep cherry red
 SKIN CANCER – the single most common type of cancer… associated with the exposure to UV
light
 BENIGN – does not spread
 MALIGNANT – spread out through blood and lymph vessels… cancerous

 RISK FACTORS: overexposure to UVR infrared light, frequent irritation of the skin by infections,
chemicals, and physical trauma

 THREE TYPES OF SKIN CANCER:

1. BASAL CELL CARCINOMA – the most frequent type and least malignant of the three types…
begins with cells in the stratum basale and extends into the dermis to produce an open ulcer

2. SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA – develops from cells immediately superficial to the stratum
basale… the cells continue to divide and grow rapidly as they produce keratin… metastatic

3. MALIGNANT MELANOMA – “cancer of the melanocytes” – 5% of skin cancers, it is often

deadly… it can appear as a large, flat, spreading lesion or a deeply pigmented module

ABCD Rule for Recognizing Melanoma:

A – Asymmetry
B – Border
C – Color
D – Diameter

7|Integumentary system
BASIC LAYERS OF THE SKIN:
1. EPIDERMIS
2. DERMIS
3. HYPODERMIS or SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE/LAYER

BURNS

1. FIRST-DEGREE BURN
2. SECOND-DEGREE BURN
3. THIRD-DEGREE BURNS or FULL-THICKNESS BURNS

2 MAJOR TYPES OF SWEAT GLANDS:

1. ECCRINE or MEROCRINE SWEAT GLANDS

2. APOCRINE SWEAT GLANDS

ACCESSORY SKIN STRUCTURES or APPENDAGES

1. HAIR
2. GLANDS
3. NAIL
4. MUSCLE

EPIDERMIS

1. STRATUM BASALE

2. STRATUM CORNEUM

MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM:

1. PROTECTION
2. SENSATION
3. VITAMIN D PRODUCTION
4. TEMPERATURE REGULATION
5. EXCRETION

8|Integumentary system