Integumentary

System
 Integumentary System
The integument, commonly called the skin with all its derivatives, is the outer covering of the
body. Inserted between the internal and external environment of the animal, performs a great
variety of functions and gives rise to such diverse structures as shell, arthropod cuticle, scutes,
hair, feathers, and horn.
 Functions of the integument:
•covering and protection from mechanical injury and entrance of foreign materials; protective
coloration; protection against ultraviolet radiation

•secretion (cutaneous glands); release of repelling or attracting secretions

•excretion of metabolic wastes (cutaneous glands)

•sensation (due to the presence of nerve endings and tactile cells)

•respiration – frogs use the skin, which is highly impregnated with blood vessels, as an accessory
organ or respiration

•absorption – in the frog, the stratum corneum is thin and thus easily allow entrance of water

•regulation of body temperature – applicable only to homoiothermic animals

homoiothermous animals – warm-blooded animals or those with a regulated body temperature
because of their heat-conserving body (Aves and Mammalia)
Poikilothermous animals – cold-blooded animals whose body temperature closely follows that
of their environment

•pigments function in concealment, warming and recognition

Invertebrate Integument

Protozoans

•covered by delicate cell

membrane (Amoeba)

•with firm elastic pellicle

(Paramecium)
 Invertebrate Integument
multicellular invertebrate animals are provided with a tissue, the single layer epidermis.

•Soft-bodied aquatic invertebrate/ those of moist environments on land ex. cnidarians,

flatworms and slugs epidermis is made up of a single layer of cells.
 Invertebrate Integument
Invertebrate Integument

Annelida (earthworm) – epidermis contains a

delicate non-cellular cuticle secreted by the
epidermis as an additional covering

•Platyhelminthes (flukes and tapeworm) and Nemahelminthes (Ascaris) – epidermis

contains a resistant cuticle
 Invertebrate Integument
Arthropods

•Characterized by a jointed chitinous exoskeleton and jointed legs

•Examples are crabs, scorpions, crustaceans and insects
Arthropod Integument Invertebrate Integument
-For protection and support
-The exoskeleton, which is secreted by the epidermis, functions both as a point of attachment
for muscles and as a protective armor, but it imposes limitations on growth and must be
periodically molted if the animal is to undergo much increase in size.

Consists of single-layered epidermis

Secretes a complex cuticle of

two zones.

-Thicker inner zone

procuticle -Composed of chitin
(polysaccharide)

-Thin outer zone

-External surface above
epicuticle procuticle
-Nonchitinous complex of
proteins & lipids
 Invertebrate Integument
Arthropod Integument

Decapod crustaceans:

Cuticle is stiffened by calcification Deposition of calcium carbonate in the outer

layers of procuticle
Arthropod Integument Invertebrate Integument
Insect hardening occurs, When protein molecules bond together w/ stabilizing cross-
linkages w/in & between adjacent lamellae of the procuticle.

sclerotization Formation of a highly resistant & insoluble protein sclerotin

When arthropods molts,

-epidermal cells first divide by mitosis

-digested materials are then absorbed &
consequently not lost to the body
-in space beneath old cuticle, a new
epicuticle & procuticle are formed
-After old cuticle sheds, new cuticle
thickened & calcified or sclerotized
 Vertebrate Integument
The vertebrate integument consists of two principal parts, the epidermis and dermis
 Vertebrate Integument
•Epidermis
1.the outer, thinner but stratified layer of the skin
2.consists primarily of cells
3.ectodermal in origin
4.epidermal derivatives – hair, nails, claws, scutes, hoofs, beaks and bills, horny scales
(reptiles and birds), feathers, spines, enamel of the teeth, glands, horns (hollow and true
horns of ruminants)

•Dermis (true skin)

1.the inner, thicker layer of the skin
2.made up mostly of connective tissue fibers, smooth muscles, blood vessels and sensory
nerve endings, especially tactile corpuscles (specialized nerve endings that respond to tactile,
thermal and pain stimuli)
3.mesodermal in origin (dermatome, epimere)
4.dermal derivatives of the skin – scales of fishes, antlers (horns of deer).
 Vertebrate
VertebrateIntegument
Integument

The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium, consisting usually of several layers of

cells.
The basal part is made up of cells that undergo frequent mitosis to renew layers that lie
above.
As outer layers of cells are displaced upward by new generations of cells beneath, an
exceedingly tough, fibrous protein called keratin accumulates in the interior of the cells.

Gradually, keratin replaces all metabolically active cytoplasm. The cell dies and is eventually
shed.

This process is called keratinization, and the cell, thus transformed, is said to be
cornified.

Cornified cells, highly resistant to abrasion and water diffusion, comprise the outermost
stratum corneum.

This epidermal layer becomes especially thick in areas exposed to persistent pressure or
wear such as calluses, foot pads of mammals, and the scales of reptiles and birds.
 Vertebrate
VertebrateIntegument
Integument

The dermis mainly serves a supportive role for the epidermis.

Bony (teleost) fishes have bony

scales from dermis, and lizards have
horny scales from epidermis. Dermal
scales of fishes are retained
throughout life. Epidermal scales of
reptiles are shed periodically.

Most amphibians lack dermal bones

in their skin, whereas in reptiles
dermal bones provide the armor of
crocodilians, the beaded skin
appearance of many lizards, and also
contribute to the shell of turtles.
 Vertebrate Integument
Dermal bone also gives rise to antlers, as
well as the bony core of horns. Structures
such as claws, beaks, nails, and horns are
made up of combinations of epidermal
(keratinized) and dermal components.

Their basic structure is the same, with a

central bony core covered by a vascularized
nutritive layer of the dermis, and an outer
epithelial layer.

This epithelial layer has a germinative

component responsible for the continual
growth of horns, hooves, claws, and beaks.

The outer epithelial layer is keratinized.

 Other structures present in the skin
chromatophores and pigments glands

Chromatophores

–specialized connective tissue cells which contain pigments

Types of chromatophores depending upon the pigments present

•melanophores – connective tissue cell which contain black or brown pigments (melanin)

•lipophores – connective tissue cells which contain red and yellow pigments

•erythrophores – contain red pigments (erythrocin)

•xanthophores – contain yellow pigments (xanthin)

•guanophores – connective tissue cells which contain a colorless, white crystalline material
(guanin) which makes animal iridescent (fishes)
•photophores – connective tissue cells which make the animal luminous (deep sea sharks)
 Glands
Types of glands according to structure
•unicellular glands – one-celled glands (lingual glands)
•multicellular glands – many-celled glands (mucous glands)

Types of glands according to the method of secretion

•merocrine gland (true gland) – the glandular cells merely produce the secretion and no
part of the cell goes together with the secretion; the cell then remains intact or is not
destroyed in the process of secretion (sudoriferous or sweat gland)
•apocrine gland – the secretion gathers at the tip of the gland, then a portion of the
cytoplasm of the cell producing the secretion is chipped off and goes together with the
secretion (mammary gland)
• holocrine gland – the entire cell which produces the secretion goes together with the
secretion so that new cells are constantly produced to replace the lost cells (sebaceous glands;
sebum- lubricate skin & hair)

Types of glands according to the type of secretion

•serous gland – watery, thin film of secretion; protein rich product (sweat gland)
•oily gland – oily, thick secretion; lipid secretion (oil gland)
•mucous gland – slippery secretion due to mucin; carbohydrate rich (mucous gland)
merocrine gland
apocrine gland holocrine gland
 Brief description of vertebrate skin
Fishes

•epidermis is thin and glandular and closely applied to scales embedded in the dermis
•glands secrete a mucus that coats the body and protects against disease and injury
•on sharks and rays the scales are covered with enamel and project through the skin
•such scales in the mouth region probably gave rise to the first vertebrate teeth
 Brief description of vertebrate skin

Land vertebrates (amphibians, reptiles birds and mammals)

have a stratified epidermis of several cell layers with the outermost portion
cornified.
Amphibians
•its skin is glandular and moist; thin and naked
•for respiration and absorption
 Brief description of vertebrate skin
Reptiles, birds and mammals
•the cornified part is dry and tougher, more resistant to abrasion and water loss
Reptiles
• skin is very much thicker (especially the epidermis) and is provided with exoskeletal
structures like scales, scutes and plates (for protection and preservation of the loss of body
fluids)
• it is thickened into scales, sometimes underlaid with bony scutes
• reptile-like scales are also found on the legs of birds and tails of rodents
 Brief description of vertebrate skin

Birds
• skin is thin, loose and covered
with exoskeletal structures like
feathers, scales, claws and beak or
bill (serve as body covering,
insulation, protection and for flight)

• covered with feathers (nonliving

cornified products of the epidermis
that conserve body heat, protect
against abrasion, smooth contours,
and provide streamlining)

• feathers form the broad surfaces

of wings and tail in flight
 Brief description of vertebrate skin

Mammals
•skin of mammals contain sweat glands,
important in cooling the body, and sebaceous
glands, which secrete a fatty, oily substance that
keeps the skin and hair pliable and reduces the
rate of evaporation of water
•in many mammals fat deposits in the dermis
further contribute to insulation.
•Pigment scattered throughout the skin, being
concentrated in the epidermis in mammals.
•The human skin resembles that of other mammals
but is scantily haired and thin in most parts.
THE HUMAN SKIN Considered as the largest organ

Functions

Skin is a tough, elastic material that prevents rapid evaporation of water from
our bodies. It prevents our inner tissues from completely drying up.

Summary of functions
•covers the body and protects deeper tissues from drying and injury
•protects from invasion of infectious microorganisms
•temperature regulation
•acts as an accessory mechanism for tactile and pressure corpuscles
•excretory function, eliminating water with the various salts that compose
perspiration, and the dead cells themselves become an important way of
eliminating salts
•important light screen for the underlying living cells absorbing powers:; absorb
oily materials placed in contact with
 PARTS OF THE SKIN
The skin consists of two
distinct layers
•epidermis, cuticle
•dermis, corium or cutis vera
 Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

•The epidermis (cuticle) is stratified squamous epithelium. It varies in thickness in

different parts of the body, being thickest in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
and thinnest on the ventral surface of the trunk and inner surfaces of the limbs.

•It forms a protective covering on every part of the true skin and is closely molded on the
papillary layer of the corium

•Devoid of blood vessels

•five regions of the epidermis:

1.Stratum corneum – horny or outer layer
2.Stratum lucidum – clear or translucent
layer
3.Stratum granulosum – granular layer
4.Stratum spinosum – prickle cell layer
5.Stratum germinativum – germinal or
basal layer

•The three outer layers consists of cells that are

constantly being shed and renewed from the cells
of the stratum germinativum
Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

Stratum germinativum

•a layer of columnar cells

that forms the deepest part
of the epidermis
•cells contain a pigment that
determines the darkness of
the skin
•growth of the epidermis is
by multiplication of the cells
of the germinative layer
•cells divide to form daughter
cells continually and newly-
formed cells push the more
mature cells towards the
surface
•cells then pass various
phases of degeneration and
eventually become scales and
are rubbed off
Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

Stratum spinosum

•variable thickness and

composed of irregularly
(many-sided) shaped cells

•called prickle-cell layer

because the surface of the
cells is covered with short
cytoplasmic spines or
projections

•live cells and represent

mature germinal cells
Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

Stratum granulosum

•cells with granules which

represents an early stage
of degeneration

•cells are in transition

between s. germinativum
and the horny cells to the
superficial layers
Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

Stratum lucidum

• cells have lost their nuclei

and cellular outlines due to
the degenerative process
Epidermis (Epi = upon + dermis = skin)

Stratum corneum

•protoplasm of the cell

has become changed into
a protein called keratin,
which acts as a
waterproof covering

•the reaction is acid and

many kinds of organisms,
when placed upon the
skin are destroyed,
presumably by the effect
of the acidity
 Dermis
•Corium or true skin which
lies underneath the epidermis
and composed of loose
connective tissues with
fibrous and elastic tissue fiber
in between. Due to the fibers
dermis is flexible and elastic.

•Highly sensitive and

contains numerous blood
vessels, nerves glands, hair
follicles and papillae

•Fat cells may be present,

blood and lymph capillaries
pass freely through the
dermis but very few nerve
endings penetrate into the
epidermis
 Dermis
Two layers of the dermis
1. Papillary or superficial
layer

•lies next to the epidermis

•layer is increased by small

conical elevations called
papillae.

•the cells of the germinal

layer of the epidermis fit into
these papillae and hollows in
between them. This results in
ridges on the skin surface-
utilized in fingerprinting
procedures.
 Dermis
Two layers of the dermis
2. Reticular or deeper layer

•consists of strong bands of

fibrous tissue and some fibers
of elastic tissue. These bands
interlace, and the tiny spaces
formed by their interlacement
are occupied by adipose tissue
and sweat glands.

•attached to the parts

beneath by a subcutaneous
loose connective tissue
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Nails/Ungues
•are composed of clear, horny cells of the epidermis, joined so as to
form a solid continuous plate upon the dorsal surface of the phalanges.
•each nail is closely adherent to the underlying corium, which is
modified to form what is called bed or matrix
•the body of the nail is the part that
is visible (shown)
•the hidden part is the nail groove
also called as the nail root
•the lunule/lunula is the crescent
shaped white area that can be seen
on the part nearest the root.

•the eponychium is the outer

horny layer of epidermis at the
base of the nail that tends to grow
out over the nail body
•the nails appear pink except the
lunule because the blood in the
capillary bed shows through it
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Hairs

•the hairs or pili are growths of the

epidermis, developed in the hair
follicles.

•hair follicle or hair shaft is a

small canal opening upon the skin
surface and extending down into the
dermis.

•the part that lies within the follicle is

known as the root, and that portion
which projects beyond the surface of
the skin is called the shaft.

•root of hair is enlarged at the bottom of the follicle into a bulb.

•hair has no blood vessels but receives nourishment from the blood
vessels.
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Arrector (Arrectores Pilorum) Muscles

•connected with each follicle are

small bundles of involuntary muscles
called arrector muscles

•they arise from the papillary layer of

the corium and are inserted into the
hair follicle below the entrance of the
duct of a sebaceous gland

•these muscles are situated on the

side toward which the hairs slope and
when they contract under the
influence of cold and fright, they
straighten the follicles and elevate
the hairs, producing the roughened
condition of the skin known as
“gooseflesh”
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Glands of the Skin
Sebaceous glands
•small secreting glands that lie
beside and open into hair follicles.

•each gland consists of a secreting

part, an alveolus, that leads into a
central canal (or duct). This duct
leads into a follicle.

•these occur everywhere over the

skin surface with the exception of the
palms of the hands and soles of the
feet

•abundant in the scalp and face and

are numerous around the apertures
of the nose, mouth, external ears and
anus
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Glands of the Skin
•largest sebaceous glands are found
Sebaceous glands
on the nose and other parts of the
face. giving risk to the condition
commonly known as blackheads,
pimples.

•sebum is the secretion of the

sebaceous glands. It contains fats,
cholesterol, albuminous material,
remnants of epithelial cells and
inorganic salts

•sebum serves to protect the hairs

from becoming too dry and brittle, as
well as from becoming too easily
saturated with moisture
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Glands of the Skin
Sudoriferous glands
•abundant over the whole skin but are largest
and most numerous in the axillae, the palms
of the hands the soles of the feet and the
forehead
•simple tubelike glands
consisting of a single canal or
duct, and a coiled secreting
part. The duct opens upon the
skin surface and has a layer of
epithelial cells surrounding its
canal
•each gland consists of a single
tube, with a blind, coiled end that
is lodged in the subcutaneous
tissue. The coiled end, the tube is
continued as the excretory duct of
the gland up through the corium
and epidermis and finally opens on
the surface by a pore
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Glands of the Skin
Sudoriferous glands
•perspiration or sweat contains the
same inorganic constituents as the
blood but in lower concentration with
the chief salt of sodium chloride
•under ordinary circumstances, the
perspiration that the body is
continually throwing off evaporates
from the surface of the body without
one’s becoming aware of it and is
called insensible perspiration

•when more sweat is poured upon

the surface of the body that can be
removed at once by evaporation, it
appears on the skin in the form of
drops and is then spoken of a
sensible perspiration
 APPENDAGES OF THE SKIN
Ceruminous glands
•skin lining the auditory canal
contains modified sweat glands which
secrete a yellow, pasty substance
resembling wax which is called
cerumen
•an accumulation of cerumen deep
in the auditory canal may interfere
with hearing