Integumentary System

CHAPTER

5
5,1 Functions of The Integumentary 5,2 Skin
System The skin is made up of 2 major tissue layers :
• consists of the skin and accessory structures, such as • Epidermis - the most superficial layer of skin
hair, glands, and nails - a layer of epithelial tissue that rests on the dermis
• it covers the outside of the body and is easily observed. - provides protection
• the appearance of the integumentary system can indicate • Dermis - layer of condense connective tissues
physiological imbalances in the body. -the dermis is 10 to 20 times thicker than the
epidermis
Major Functions of - responsible for most of the skin’s structural
The Integumentary System strength
1. Protection. The skin provides protection against
abrasion and ultraviolet light. It also prevents
microorganisms from entering the body and
reduces water loss, thus preventing dehydration.
2. Sensation. The integumentary system has sensory
receptors that can detect heat, cold, touch,
pressure, and pain.
3. Vitamin D production. When exposed to
ultraviolet light, the skin produces a molecule
that can be transformed into vitamin D, an
important regulator of calcium homeostasis.
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 skin rests on the SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE
body temperature. - a layer of connective tissue
5. “Excretion. Small amounts of waste products are - not part of the skin but it does connect the skin to
lost through the skin and in gland secretions.” underlying muscle or bone

ACCESSORY STRUCTURES OF THE SKIN Epidermis - roof

• Hairs Dermis - forms most of the house
• Glands Subcutaneous Tissue - foundation on which the house rests
• Arrector Pili
EPIDERMIS
• is stratified squamous epithelium
• in its deepest layers, new cells are produced by mitosis
• As new cells form, they push older cells to the surface,
where they slough, or flake off
• many cells of the epidermis prevent water loss and
resist abrasion
• The outermost cells protect the cells underneath, and
the deeper, replicating cells replace cells lost from the
surface.
KERATINIZATION - a continuous process where the cells change
shape and chemical composition.
- the cells become filled with the protein keratin which
makes them rigid and durable.
- epithelial cells die and form an outer layer of dead, rigid
cells that resist abrasion and acts as a permeability barrier.

STRATA (layers) - layers that is used to

divide the characteristics of epidermis.

STRATUM CORNEUM - the most STRATUM LUCIDUM - a thin, clear zone STRATUM BASALE - a base
superficial stratum of the epidermis. between st. granulosum and st. corneum - consists of cuboidal or columnar
- consists of dead squamous cells - cells no longer have nuclei or cells that undergo mitotic division every
filled with keratin that gives the stratum organelles so it stains more lightly. 19 days.
corneum its structural strength.
- stratum corneum cells are coated STRATUM GRANULOSUM - flat and
and surrounded by lipids released from diamond shaped
the lamellar bodies of the skin cells that - cells accumulate more keratin
act as waterproofing material preventing and release contents of the lamellar
fluid loss through the skin. bodies to the extracellular space.
- composed of 25 or more layers of - nuclei and organelles degenerate,
dead squamous cells joined by the cells die which gives the layer its
desmosomes. grainy appearance.
- Excessive sloughing of stratum
corneum cells from the surface of the STRATUM SPINOSUM - flattened
scalp is called dandruff. appearance and accumulate lipid filled
vesicles called lamellar bodies.
DERMIS Intramascular Injection - delivers material to the blood
• composed of dense collagenous connective tissue faster by inserting a long needle at a 90- degree angle
containing fibroblasts, adipocytes, and macrophages. to the skin into a muscle deep to the subcutaneous
• Nerves, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands, and tissue.
lymphatic vessels extend into the dermis - are used for most vaccines and certain antibiotics.”

Collagen and Elastic Fibers - responsible for the strength of SKIN COLOR
the dermis.
- collagen fibers are oriented in many directions and Factors that determine skin color:
can resist stretch • pigments in the skin
-more collagen fibers are oriented in some directions • blood circulating through the skin
than in others which produces cleavage lines, or tension • thickness of the stratum corneum
lines, in the skin, and the skin is most resistant to stretch
along these lines. MELANIN - group of pigments responsible for skin, hair, and
eye color.
Stretch Marks - lines that are visible in the epidermis caused - provides protection against ultraviolet light
by damage in dermis due to overstretching of the skin. - melanin molecules are brown to black but some
are yellowish or reddish.
Dermal Papillae(nipple) - dermis projection that extend MELANOCYTES - are irregularly shaped cells between st.
toward the epidermis . basale and st. spinosum that produces melanin.
- contains many blood vessels and has blood flow that
supplies the epidermis with nutrients, removes waste and
regulates body temperature.
Friction ridges - dermal papillae in the palms and soles that
are arranged in parallel, curving ridges which forms the finger
and foot prints.

Intradermal Injection - delivers material to the blood slowly

and is administered by drawing the skin taut and inserting MELANOSOMES - golgi apparatus package melanin into vesicles
a small needle at a shallow angle into the dermis; an - move into the cell processes of melanocytes
example is the tuberculin skin test • Large amounts of melanin form freckles or moles as well as
darkened areas in the genitalia, the nipples, and the circular
Subcutaneous Injection - pinching the skin to form a “tent” and areas around the nipples.
inserting a short needle into the adipose tissue of the • Other areas, such as the lips, palms of the hands, and soles
subcutaneous tissue; an example is an insulin injection. of the feet, contain less melanin.
SKIN CANCER 5.4 ACCESSORY SKIN STRUCTURES
- most common type of cancer - attached to or embedded into the skin.
Three main types of Skin Cancer: • The accessory skin structures are hair, glands, and nails.
• Basal cell carcinoma - most frequent type HAIR - found everywhere on the skin,
- begins with cells in the stratum basale and except on the palms, the soles,
extends into the dermis to produce an open ulcer the lips, the nipples, parts of the
- Surgical removal or radiation therapy cures this genitalia, and the distal segments of
type of cancer. the fingers and toes.
• Squamous cell carcinoma - develops from cells - Each hair arises from a hair
immediately superficial to the st basale. follicle, an invagination of the epidermis
- the cells continue to divide as they produce that extends deep into the dermis
keratin resulting to a nodular, keratinized tumor • hair shaft - protrudes above
confined to the epidermis the surface of the skin
- if untreated, the tumor can invade the dermis, • hair root - below the surface
metastasize, and cause death. • hair bulb - the expanded base
• Malignant melanoma - a rare form of skin cancer of the root
that arises from melanocytes, usually in a • cortex - surrounds a softer center
preexisting mole. • medulla - the softer center
• Metastasis- common and often fatal if not • cuticle - single layer of overlapping cells that holds the hair in the
diagnosed and treated earlier. follicle
• hair follicle - composed if epithelial tissue
CYANOSIS - a bluish color of the skin caused by • hair bulb - produces the hair, rests on the papilla
decreased blood O2 content. • hair papilla - an extension of the dermis that protrudes into the hair
CAROTENE - yellow pigment found in plants such as bulb
squash and carrots which is a source of vit A. ~ Hair is produced in cycles of growth and rest.
• the growth stage - hair is formed by epithelial cells within the hair
SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE bulb, divide and undergo keratinization. The hair grows longer as
• also known as hypodermis and used to estimate these cells are added to the base of the hair within the hair. “the
total body fat. hair root and shaft consist of columns of dead keratinized epithelial
• Not part of the skin but attaches the skin to cells.
underlying bone and muscle and supplies it with • resting stage - growth stops an the hair is held in the hair follicle
blood vessels and nerves. • growth stage - a new hair is formed and the old hair falls out.
• loose connective tissue, including adipose tissue GROWTH STAGES OF HAIRS:
that contains about half the body’s stored lipids. • Eyelashes - grow for 30 days, rest for. 105 days
ADIPOSE TISSUE - functions as padding and insulation • scalp hair -grow for 3 years, rest for 1-2 years
and responsible for some of the differences in PATTERN BALDNESS - permanent hair loss
appearance between males and females as well as ARRECTOR PILI - smooth muscle association with the follicle that produces
between individuals of the same sex. a raised area of skin when contracted . (Goosebumps)
GLANDS NAILS
Major glands of the skin: - a thin plate, consisting of layers of dead stratum corneum cells
• SEBACEOUS GLANDS - simple, branched acinar that contain a very hard type of keratin.
glands connected by a duct to the superficial • nail body - visible part of the nail
part of the hair follicle • nail root - part of the nail covered by skin
- produces SEBUM - oily, white substance rich - extends distally from the nail matrix
in lipids released by holocrine secretion and • cuticle, or eponychium - stratum corneum that extends onto the
lubricates the hair and skin surface to prevent drying and nail body.
protect it from bacteria • nail bed - where the nail is attached, which is located distal to
• SWEAT GLANDS - has two kinds the nail matrix.
~ Eccrine Sweat Glands • The nail matrix and bed - epithelial tissue with a stratum
- simple, coiled, tubular glands and release basale that gives rise to the cells that form the nail.
sweat by merocrine secretion. • nail matrix - thicker than the nail bed and produces most of the
- located in almost every part of the skin but nail.
most numerous in the palms and soles. -Cell production here causes the nail to grow.
- produce a secretion, mostly water with a few * lunula - small part of the nail matrix can be
salts. seen through the nail body as a whitish, crescent-
- have ducts that open onto the surface of the shaped area at the base of the nail.
skin through sweat pores that produce sweat when body
temperature rises
~ Apocrine Sweat Glands
- simple, coiled, tubular glands that produce a
thick secretion rich in organic substance which are Unlike hair, nails grow continuously and do not have a resting stage.
released by merocrine secretion, some glands 5.5Physiology of The
demonstrate holocrine secretion. Integumentary System
- open into hair follicles, but only in the armpits • PROTECTION - intact skin reduces water loss because its lipids
and genitalia. act as a barrier to the diffusion of water from the deeper
- become active at puberty because of the tissues of the body to the surface of the epidermis.
reproductive hormones. The organic secretion, which is - a barrier that prevents microorganisms and other foreign
essentially odorless when released, is quickly broken substances from entering the body. Secretions from skin glands
down by bacteria into substances responsible for what is also produce an environment unsuitable for some microorganisms.
commonly known as body odor. - stratified squamous epithelium of the skin protects against
abrasion.
- Melanin absorbs ultraviolet light and protects structures
- Head hair acts as a heat insulator, eyebrows keep sweat out of
the eyes, eyelashes protect eyes from foreign objects, and hair in
the nose and ears prevents entry of dust and other materials.
- The nails protect the ends of the fingers and toes from damage.
• SENSATION • EXCRETION - removal of waste products from the body
- sensory receptors are associated with the skin. - sweat contains water and salts, as well as small
- Receptors in the epidermis and dermis can detect pain, amounts of waste products, such as urea, uric acid, and
heat, cold, and pressure. ammonia Even though the body can lose large amounts of
- sensory receptors around the hair follicle can detect the sweat, the sweat glands do not play a significant role in
movement of a hair though hair does not have a nerve supply, the excretion of waste products.
• VITAMIN D PRODUCTION
- a precursor molecule of vitamin D is formed when the 5.6 INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM AS
skin is exposed to ultraviolet light A DIAGNOSTIC AID
- carried by the blood to the liver, where it is modified, - useful in diagnosis because it is observed easily and
and then to the kidneys, where it is modified further to often reflects events occurring in other parts of the body.
form active vitamin D. • Cyanosis - bluish color to the skin caused by decreased
- if exposed to ultraviolet light, humans can produce the blood O2 content, is an indication of impaired circulatory
vitamin D they need. However, many people need to ingest vita- or respiratory function.
min D as well because clothing and indoor living reduce their • Jaundice - yellowish skin color occur when the liver is
exposure to ultraviolet light. damaged by a disease, such as viral hepatitis. Normally,
- Fatty fish, fish oils and vitamin D–fortified milk are the liver secretes bile pigments which are yellow, and
the best sources of vitamin D. their buildup in the blood and tissues can indicate
- Eggs, butter, and liver has small amounts of impaired liver function.
vitamin D but not considered significant sources because • Rashes and lesions - symptoms of problems elsewhere in
large serving size is necessary for daily vitamin D the body.
requirement. The condition of the skin, hair, and nails is affected by
- Adequate levels of vitamin D are necessary because nutritional status.
active vitamin D stimulates the small intestine to - In vitamin A deficiency - skin produces excess keratin
absorb calcium and phosphate, the substances necessary for and assumes a characteristic sandpaper texture
normal bone growth and normal muscle function. - iron-deficiency anemia - nails lose their normal contour
• TEMPERATURE REGULATION and become flat or concave (spoon-shaped).
- normally body temperature is maintained at 37°C Hair concentrates many substances that can be detected by
(98.6°F). laboratory analysis, and a patient’s hair can be compared with
- important because the rate of chemical reactions a “normal” hair for certain diagnoses.
within the body can be increased or decreased by
changes in body temperature.
- Even slight changes in temperature make enzymes
operate less efficiently and disrupt the normal rates of
chemical changes in the body.
- Exercise, fever, and an increase in temperature tend to
raise body temperature.
- to maintain homeostasis, the body must rid itself of
excess heat.
5.7 BURNS • In full-thickness burns, or third-degree burns - the
• injury to a tissue caused by heat, cold, friction, epidermis and the dermis are completely
chemicals, electricity, or radiation. destroyed, and recovery occurs from the edges of
• are classified according to their depth the burn wound.
~ partial-thickness burns -part of the stratum basale - Third-degree burns often are surrounded by
remains viable, and regeneration of the epidermis occurs from areas of first- and second-degree burns.
within the burn area, as well as from the edges of the burn. - the first- and second-degree burn areas are
Partial-thickness burns are divided into first- and second- painful, the region of third-degree burn is usually
degree burns. painless because sensory receptors in the epidermis
and dermis have been destroyed.
- Third-degree burns appear white, tan, brown,
black, or deep cherry red.

SKIN DISEASES AND DISORDERS

• Ringworm - Fungal infection that produces patchy scaling
and inflammatory response
• Eczema and dermatitis - Inflammatory conditions of the
skin caused by allergy, infection, poor
circulation, or exposure to chemical or
• First-degree burns - involve only the epidermis and are environmental factors
red and painful. Slight edema or swelling, • Psoriasis - chronic skin disease characterized by thicker
may be present. than normal epidermal layer (st corneum)
- can be caused by sunburn or brief exposure to very that produce large, silvery scales; bleeding
hot or very cold objects, and they heal without may occur when scales are scraped
scarring in about a week. Bacterial Infection
• Second-degree burns - damage both the epidermis and • Impetigo - small blisters containing pus; easily rupture
the dermis. to form a thick, yellowish crust; usually
- If dermal damage is minimal, symptoms include affects children
redness, pain, edema, and blisters. • Decubitus ulcers (bedsores or pressure sores) - develop
- Healing takes about 2 weeks, no scarring results in people who are bedridden or confined to
- if the burn goes deep into the “dermis, the wound a wheelchair; compression of tissue and
appears red, tan, or white; can take several months reduced circulation result in destruction of
to heal; and might scar. the subcutaneous tissue and skin, which
- the epidermis, including the stratum basale where later become infected by bacteria, forming
the stem cells are found, is damaged so it ulcers
regenerates from epithelial tissue in hair follicles and
sweat glands, as well as from the edges of the
wound.
Viral Infections • The skin becomes drier as sebaceous gland activity
• rubeola (measles) - Skin lesions; caused by a virus decreases.
contracted through the respiratory tract; may • The number of melanocytes generally decreases, but in
develop into pneumonia or infect the brain, causing some areas the number of melanocytes increases to produce
damage age spots.
• Rubella (German measles)- Skin lesions; usually mild • Note that age spots are different from freckles, which are
viral disease contracted through the respiratory caused by increased melanin production.
tract; dangerous if contracted during pregnancy • Gray or white hair also results because of a decrease in or
because the virus can cross the placenta and a lack of melanin production.
damage the fetus • Skin that is exposed to sunlight shows signs of aging more
• Chicken pox - Skin lesions; usually mild viral disease rapidly than nonexposed skin, so avoiding
contracted through the respiratory tract overexposure to sunlight and using sunscreen is
• Shingles - Painful skin lesions that can recur when the advisable.
dormant virus is activated by trauma, stress, or
another illness; caused by the chicken pox virus • Fourth-degree burns - extremely severe burns that affect
after childhood infection tissues deeper than the subcutaneous tissue.
• Cold sores (fever blisters)- Skin lesions; caused by -often damage muscle, bone, and other tissues
herpes simplex I virus; transmitted by oral or associated with them and painless due to the
respiratory routes; lesions recur destruction of the pain receptors.
• Genital herpes- Genital lesions; caused by herpes - these burns are so severe, amputation or complete
simplex II virus; transmitted by sexual contact removal of the damaged tissue is required. Resultant
increased susceptibility to infection can cause death.
Venous thrombosis - the development of a clot in a vein, is
another complication of burns. • Deep partial-thickness and full-thickness burns - take a
long time to heal, and form scar tissue with
EFFECTS OF AGING IN THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM disfiguring and debilitating wound
• As the body ages, the skin is more easily damaged contracture
because the epidermis thins and the amount of collagen - to prevent complications and to speed healing,
in the dermis decreases. skin grafts are often performed
• Skin infections are more likely, and repair of the skin - In a procedure called a split skin graft, the
occurs more slowly. epidermis and part of the dermis are removed from
• The skin begins to sag and wrinkle because of a decrease another part of the body and placed over the burn.
in the elastic fibers in the dermis and loss of adipose - Interstitial fluid from the burn nourishes the
tissue from the subcutaneous tissue. graft until blood vessels can grow into the graft
• A decrease in the activity of sweat glands and in the and supply it with nutrients.
blood supply reduces ability to regulate body - When it is not possible or practical to move skin
temperature. from one part of the body to a burn site, physicians
sometimes use artificial skin or grafts.