Rick Fuentes

Coach Marek
Anatomy
26 September 2017
Integumentary System Lab Report
The skin is the largest organ in the body due to the mass. With its various accessory
structures composing the integumentary system. The skin is a vital organ. Having the capability
to cover our entire body, keep our essential internal organs dry, while staying strong and
flexible.1
The skin is broken down into three divisions (See Figure 1). Two being the epidermis
(top layer) and dermis (middle layer). The third is the subcutaneous layer, which is the fatty
tissue below the two layers. The epidermis, which is the upper surface formed of epithelial
tissue, consists of the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum,
and stratum corneum. The stratum basale is made up of cells that produce pigment (color),
keratin (fibrous protein), and nerve fibers. As new skin cells are produced, they undergo a
process called keratinization as they work their way to the epidermis and replace the dead skin
cells. The dermis consists of a deeper papillary layer and reticular layer, with hair follicles,
capillary networks with blood vessels, and various glands within each. Sebaceous glands produce
sebum (oil), pacinian corpuscles detects pressure and vibration, meissner's corpuscles is a
sensory nerve detecting touch, sudoriferous glands produce sweat and include apocrine glands
that produce odor. Dont forget the eccrine glands that produce water. Below the dermis is the
subcutaneous layer, also referred to as the hypodermis, and consists of layers of adipose, or fat
tissue.
Eccrine sweat glands play a key role in regulating body temperature. Derived from
embryonic ectoderm, millions of eccrine glands are distributed across human skin and secrete
litres of sweat per day.2 Eccrine glands have a tubular structure that opens at the top of the
epidermis. Primarily opening in between hair follicles. They consist of two parts: outer ducts and
inner sweat-secreting cells. The outer duct acts as a vacuum hose, and while still holding true to
shape when it retracts under the skin. The cells then squeezes until the perspiration starts to come
up the pore's opening. The sweat is composed mostly of water but can also contain salt and
electrolytes, which can be reabsorbed by the cells. The rest that is not absorbed will evaporate of
the skins surface. This process allows for the body to regulate its temperature. Sweat production
can also be a physical response due to emotional or psychological stress. Another factor is
hyperhidrosis, a genetic causing excessive sweating. In the lab, Plotting The Distribution of
Sweat Gland (See Figure 2). I used a one cm by one cm square area to plot the numerous sweat
glands on my hand and arm. Using Iodine as the substance to bring out the sweat glands the one
by one paper was then held over the covered area for five minutes. After the time period was up,
the papers were then put under a microscope to jot down the results. Upon reviewing the results I
found that my hand had more sweat glands than my arm. However, results may vary upon a
second experiment due to the amount of solution used on the certain area. By looking at the
square from my hand it was darker than the one used on my arm. This shows that more Iodine
was used on the hand than arm.
Touch is defined as direct contact between two physical bodies. The sense of touch on the
human is highly developed on the hand. This function serves as a cognitive function, and

1. Holes Human Anatomy & Physiology 13th Ed. Vol. 1. T he Secret of Skins Strength and
Flexibility Unit 2 Chapter 6. Shier, David. Butler, Jackie. Lewis, Ricki.
2. Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD,
USA.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26014472
supports the movement of surgeons, sculptors, musicians, etc. Sensory receptors are located in
the skin which provides information to the brain signaling size and shapes of objects your hand is
holding. These receptors are known as Meissners Corpuscles, a key components to our daily
lives as it helps in the previous items mentioned. In some instances our bodies are not able to
detect such touches (See Figure 3). The elbow, sole, and tongue based on the results had the
lowest two-point sensitivity. Due to this we have Pacinian Corpuscles to help aide in completing
the task of touch. Pacinian corpuscle is actually designed to detect vibration. These receptors
play a key role when your hands are doing skilled work and certain tools.
For the last portion of my lab report, I had to review a case study and compose an
infographic. Based on the case study, the body endured many changes or challenges. At first the
body, after spending several hours in the heat became dehydrated and overheated. Thus, causing
the body to have a heat stroke. Blood pressure dropped to dangerously low levels and the heart
began to over work as it tries to pump blood to cool the body down. Without quick treatment
Mark would have died, luckily he was found and was given fluids to replenish and cool down.
However, he was also suffering from first degree burns. At first he was just sunburned, but a few
days later he started to grow moles. After a while they changed colors and began to bleed. His
exposure to Ultraviolet rays and other forms of radiation were the result in the mutation of these
pigment-producing sites. As a result, tumors that start out as moles begin to form and if not
treated, can grow into dangerous malignant tumors which can be fatal. Mark now had
Melanoma, (See Figure 5) in which the cancer was now spreading through his skin. This can be
prevented by wearing sunscreen, keeping the body covered, and avoiding the sun at the peak of
noon.

Figure 1
Thick and Thin Zoomed In Drawing of the Histology. The top portion of the drawing is the thick
version of the integumentary system under a microscope. The layers include: epidermis, Stratum
Corneum, Dermis, Sweat Glands, and the Hypodermis (Subcutaneous layer). The Thin layer is
below and includes: the dermis, stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum
lucidum, and stratum corneum.
Figure 2

Plotting The Distribution of Sweat Glands. The image is the lab conducted to find the sweat
glands on my hand and arm. Based on the drawing, my hand had the most sweat glands.
Figure 3
Sensitivity Data Chart. The following is data collected from the two-point sensitivity test. The
test was to use a compass and find the distance in which two points felt like one simultaneous
touch.
Figure 4
Homunculus Drawing. This drawing is based of the results previously shown in Figure 4. This
maps out the sensitivity levels in each area of the body from head to toe. It is also a
representation of the brain as this is where the signals are received and sent back.
Figure 5

Case Study Infographic. I drew the infographic based off of the case study I read and research I
conducted. I listed and drew the factors acting on Mark on the day he had a heat stroke and
developed skin cancer.
Works Cited
1. Holes Human Anatomy & Physiology 13th Ed. Vol. 1. The Secret of Skins Strength
and Flexibility Unit 2 Chapter 6. Shier, David. Butler, Jackie. Lewis, Ricki.
2. Laboratory of Genetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health,
Baltimore, MD, USA.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26014472
3. Esther, G. P. (2010, May 19). Touch. Retrieved September 26, 2017, from
http://www.cns.nyu.edu/~david/courses/sm12/Readings/Gardner-ELS2010.pdf
4. Evans, D. (2002, June 6). Lost In The Desert. Retrieved from
http://sciencecases.lib.buffalo.edu/cs/files/thermoregulation.pdf
5. Figure 1. Personal Drawing. Thick and Thin Zoomed In Drawing of the Histology.
6. Figure 2. Personal Drawing. Plotting The Distribution of Sweat Glands.
7. Figure 3. Personal Data Collected. Sensitivity Data Chart.
8. Figure 4. Personal Drawing. Homunculus Drawing.
9. Figure 5. Personal Drawing. Case Study Infographic.