Laboratory Activity: The Integumentary System

Learning outcomes:
1. Describe the major functions of the skin.
2. Distinguish the locations and components of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis.
3. Identify regions of the skin and associated accessory structures.

I. SKIN AND ITS TISSUES (Cutaneous Membrane)

A. General Structure:
1. Two distinct regions or layers compose the skin:
a. Epidermis = outermost layer;
o keratinized stratified squamous ET.
b. Dermis = inner layer;
o glandular epithelium (sweat, sebaceous glands),
o dense irregular CT (collagen),
o smooth muscle tissue (arrector pili muscles),
o nervous tissue (Meissner's & Pacinian Corpuscles), and
o hair follicles and blood vessels

2. Subcutaneous layer = adipose tissue; also called hypodermis

OpenStax A&P Fig. 5.2 Layers of the Skin

B. Skin Functions
1. Protection:
o Physical barrier
 from water loss; injury; chemicals and microorganisms.
o Chemical barrier
 pH or 5-6; prevents microorganism growth
o Biological barrier
 Langerhan’s cells (epidermis)
 Macrophages and mast cells (dermis)
2. Excretion (minimal, most through kidneys!):
o urea; uric acid.
3. Regulation of body temperature
4. Cutaneous Sensation:
o Light touch detection = Meissner's Corpuscles;
o Pressure detection = Pacinian Corpuscles;
5. Vitamin D Synthesis:
o UV rays in sunlight activate its synthesis;
o Vitamin D is required for bone homeostasis.

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 6. Blood Reservoir:
o The dermis houses about 10% of the body's blood vessels.
o Skin only requires 1-2% of the body’s blood
7. Immunity:
o Langerhan’s cells (macrophages);

C. Epidermis:
1. Structure = keratinized stratified squamous epithelium;
a. Four distinct layers
1. Stratum corneum = outermost layer.
o composed of dead epithelial cells filled with the protein
keratin;
*** Stratum lucidum = translucent layer cells separating s. corneum
from s. granulosum. This extra layer is only found in the thick skin
of the soles & palms;
2. Stratum granulosum is composed of 3-5 layers of flattened
granular cells (filled with keratin granules);
3. Stratum spinosum is composed of many layers of spiky cells with
large nuclei;
4. Stratum basale (germinativum)= innermost layer;
o directly above basement membrane;
o mainly consists of keratinocytes, then main cell type in
the epidermis, in this layer they are arranged in a single
row, very active in mitosis
o contains melanocytes which are specialized cells that
produce the pigment melanin.
2. Main Function = Protection (keratin):
a. prevents moisture loss (waterproof); injury by penetration or entry of
microorganisms / chemicals
b. Pigment = Melanin: determines skin color:
o produced by melanocytes in stratum basale

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 OpenStax A&P Fig. 5.5 Layers of the Skin
D. Dermis:
1. Structure= inner layer of skin; binds epidermis to tissues
a. two distinct layers:
1. papillary layer (20%) is below epidermis:
o composed of loose areolar CT;
o surface forms dermal papillae
(finger-like projections into the epidermis) that form
fingerprints in thick skin
o Meissner's Corpuscles ( receptors for light touch).
2. reticular layer (80%) = dense irregular CT;
o collagen fibers, elastic fibers, and reticular fibers
o Pacinian corpuscles – deep pressure receptors
E. Subcutaneous Layer (hypodermis) = beneath skin.
1. Structure = adipose tissue & blood vessels;
2. Function = insulation.

OpenStax A&P Fig. 5.7 Layers of the Dermis

II. ACCESSORY ORGANS OF THE SKIN (Epidermal Derivatives)

A. Hair Follicles:
1. Structure:
o root in dermis, follicle throughout dermis, hair shaft in epidermis.
2. Arrector Pili Muscle = smooth muscle associated with every hair follicle.
o hair pulled up ("goose bumps") when frightened or cold.

OpenStax A&P Fig. 5.11 Hair

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 B. Nails:
1. Epithelium undergoing keratinization (active mitosis in lunula).
2. Functions: manipulation and protection of digit ends.

OpenStax A&P Fig. 5.13 Nails

C. Sebaceous Glands:
1. holocrine gland (simple cuboidal epithelium);
2. associated with every hair follicle;
3. Secretion (holocrine) = sebum (i.e. oil).

LABELING:

WORD BANK
arrector pili muscle merocrine (sweat) gland
dermis Pacinian corpuscle
epidermis papillary layer of dermis
epithelial sheath reticular layer of dermis
hair follicle sebaceous (oil) gland
hair papillae/bulb
hair shaft stratum basale
hypodermis stratum corneum
Meissner’s corpuscle stratum granulosum

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 melanocytes stratum lucidum*
sensory receptor (nerve) stratum spinosum

Questions
1. Vitamin D3 is a substance is manufactured in the skin by exposure to sunlight (but is not a
secretion). What is the function of this substance and how does it directly affect the skin?

2. What is the significance of the amount of melanin in the skin?

3. How does the skin help in regulating body temperature?

Source: https://libguides.ccac.edu/a-and-p/ap1-lab3

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