SKIN UNIT

ASSESSMENT
 Integumentary System

The integumentary system

comprises the skin and its
We call skin the integumentary
appendages acting to protect
system is a cover from things
the body from various kinds of
outside the body.
damage, such as loss of water
or damages from outside. 
Functions • Provides a protective barrier against
mechanical, thermal and physical injury and
hazardous substances.
• Prevents loss of moisture.
• Reduces harmful effects of UV radiation.
• Acts as a sensory organ (touch, detects
temperature).
• Helps regulate temperature.
• An immune organ to detect infections etc.
• Production of vitamin D.
explain the three main layers
of skin

• The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin,

provides a waterproof barrier and creates
our skin tone. The dermis, beneath
the epidermis, contains tough connective
tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. The
deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is
made of fat and connective tissue.
the purpose of the special
epidermal cells

• the epidermal melanin unit, which comprise

keratinocytes and melanocytes, has a key
role in regulating pigmentation and
homeostasis of the epidermis.
What is the purpose of
sebaceous glands?

• The normal function of sebaceous glands is

to produce and secrete sebum, a group of
complex oils including triglycerides and fatty
acid breakdown products, wax esters,
squalene, cholesterol esters and cholesterol

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

Contrast Apocrine and
Eccrine Sudoriferous Glands.
• Eccrine glands occur over most of your
body and open directly onto the surface of
your skin. Apocrine glands open into the
hair follicle, leading to the surface of the
skin. Apocrine glands develop in areas
abundant in hair follicles, such as on your
scalp, armpits and groin.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Hair structure and function

• Hair is simple in structure but has important functions

in social functioning. Hair is made of a tough protein called
keratin. A hair follicle anchors each hair into the skin. 
Nails structures and functions

• The keratin in nails makes them hard but flexible. Nails serve a
number of purposes, including protecting the digits, enhancing
sensations, and acting like tools. A nail has three main parts: the
root, plate, and free margin. Other structures around or under the
nail include the nail bed, cuticle, and nail fold.
 Acne
A skin condition that occurs when
hair follicles plug with oil and
dead skin cells.