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Integument
Integument
Skin
Skin or integument derived from Latin word means to cover
Largest organ system of body
It consist of
Epidermis
Dermis
Thickness of epidermis and dermis varies in different regions of body with in same specie and among
different species
Skin is thicker on lateral and dorsal surface of body and thinner on ventral and medial side of limbs
Epidermis
Formed of Stratified squamous epithelium
Derived from ectoderm
Epidermis is thicker on non hairy regions and thinnest on hairy regions
Epidermal cells undergoes orderly process of proliferation, differentiation and keratinization
During development epidermis specialized to form hair, sweat and sebaceous glands, digital organs
(hoof, claws, digital pads), feathers, horn and specialized glands
Cells of epidermis are classified into
Keratinocytes
Non-keratinocytes
Epidermal Keratinocytes
85% of epidermal cells
Classified into layers on basis of morphology
The layer are from basement membrane to outer side are
Stratum basale (basal layer)
Stratum spinosum (spinous or prickle layer)
Stratum granulosum (granular layer)
Stratum Lucidum (clear layer)
Stratum corneum (horny layer)
Epidermal Non-keratinocytes
Scattered through out epidermis
It includes
Melanocytes
Tactile epitheloid cells (Merkel cells)
Intraepidermal macrophages (Langerhans cells)
Melanocytes
Located in basal layer of epidermis, External epithelial root sheath, hair matrix of hair follicle
Have several dendritic processes
Have spherical nucleus and typical organelles
Cytoplasm contains specific granules called melanosome
Melanosome contains melanin that gives colour to skin and hairs
Tyrosinase enzyme involved in formation of melanin
Albino animals lacks tyrosinase although they have melanocytes
Tactile epithelioid cells (Merkel cells)
Located in basal region of epidermis
Long axis is parallel to surface of skin
Nucleus is lobulated
Cytoplasm contains granules having specie specific chemical mediators (serotonin, vaso-active
intestinal peptides)
When associated with axon form tactile epithelioid cells-neurite complex
The areas having tactile epithelioid cells-neurite complex called tactile hair discs.
Sweat gland