Integumentary System

NUR1019- Lecture 4
Dr. Sarwat Fatima

1
Integumentary = outer layer of body

skin accessory structures

e.g. hair, nails, glands

2
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin
2. Accessory structures of skin
3. Functions of the skin
4. Effects of aging on skin
5. Homeostasis

3
1. Structure of the skin
Consists of 3 regions:
i. Epidermis
*Outer and thinner region of skin
*Consists of stratified squamous (flattened) epithelial cells
 arranged in layers
*Lacks blood vessels

Contains 4 main types of cells

-keratinocytes: produce waterproof protein (keratin), forms a
protective barrier between outer environment and body
-melanocytes: produce melanine, responsible for skin/hair color.
Variation in skin colour due to amount of melanine produced and its
distribution.
-exposure to sunlight, melanine production to protect from UV
radiation.
-Langerhans cells: macrophages that initiate immune response against
microbes. Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.

-tactile cells: located in deepest layer of skin. They are in contact with
the flattened end of nerve fibers and signal brain of touch sensations. 4
1. Structure of the skin
i. Epidermis cont’d
* Layers of the epidermis

- cell layers referred to as strata

- 5 layers of thick skin (internal to external)
5 strata
a. Stratum basale

b. Stratum spinosum

c. Stratum granulosum

d. Stratum lucidum

e. Stratum corneum

5
Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.
1. Structure of the skin
i. Epidermis cont’d
Stratum corneum
* Layers of the epidermis

a. Stratum basale Stratum lucidum

- Deepest epidermal layer
Stratum granulosum
- New cells produced by mitosis
- New cells push older cells to surface where
they flake off
- Keritinocytes most common cells
Stratum spinosum
b. Stratum spinosum
- Cells reproduce by mitosis
- Spiny in appearance
- Keratinization begins here Stratun basale

c. Stratum granulosum
- Flattened cells https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis

- Cells are tightly packed together and form

effective barrier 6
1. Structure of the skin
i. Epidermis cont’d
Stratum corneum
* Layers of the epidermis

d. Stratum lucidum Stratum lucidum

-only present in thick areas of skin Stratum granulosum
e.g. soles, fingertips, palms
-thin layers of dead keratinocytes provide
toughness to regions of thick skin
Stratum spinosum
e. Stratum corneum
- Outermost later of epidermis
- Consists of dead cells filled with keratin
- Waterproof nature of keratin protects body
from water loss of water gain Stratun basale

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epidermis

7
1. Structure of the skin
Consists of 2 regions, cont’d:

ii. Dermis

*Deeper and thicker region of skin

*Consists of dense and irregular connective tissues containing

collagen offer resistance to overstretching.

* elastic fibers stretch to allow movement of underlying

muscles and joints.

* Contains blood vessels (capillaries), to supply oxygen and

nutrients to its cells AND also to those of the epidermis.

* Also contains sensory nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.

8
 1. Structure of the skin
iii. Hypodermis
- lies beneath the dermis
- Innermost layer of skin

Functions of hypodermis
-Attaches skin to underlying bone and muscle: contains connective
tissue which connects the skin to bones, muscles, and organs. It
supports structures such as nerves and blood vessels.

- Fat serves as an energy reserve: insulate the body to prevent heat

loss, and act as a cushion to protect underlying structures from trauma.

-Protect the body:  The fat in the hypodermis acts like padding or a
shock absorber that protects the bones, muscles, and organs from cold,
trauma, or impact.

-Regulating body temperature: acts as an insulator by conserving heat

providing protection against the cold. It also protects the body against Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.

heat through sweating.

9
Summary: Structure of the skin

10
https://www.differencebetween.com/difference-between-epidermis-and-vs-dermis/
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin 
2. Accessory structures of skin
3. Functions of the skin
4. Effects of aging
5. Homeostasis

11
Integumentary = outer layer of body

skin accessory structures

e.g. hair, nails, glands

*These structures originate from the epidermis and can extend down
through the dermis into the hypodermis.

12
2. Accessory structures of skin
Hair
* Found everywhere on the skin except on the palms, soles, lips,
nipples, parts of reproductive organs.

* Each hair consist of hair shaft and hair root

Hair shaft= visible part of hair, sticking out of skin
Hair root= inside the skin and extends to the deep layers of skin within
hair follicle

*At the base of the hair, the hair root widens to a round hair bulb. The
hair papilla, which supplies the hair root with blood, is found inside
the bottom of the hair bulb.

* New hair cells are constantly being made in the hair bulb.
Hair bulb
* Hair follicle cell is attached to small muscle (arrector pili) Contraction
of muscle cause hair to stand e.g. during a scare or cold
Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.

* Each hair has one or more oil (sebaceous) glands.

13
2. Accessory structures of skin
Hair colour
*Like the skin, hair gets its color from the pigment melanin

*Melanin is produced by melanocytes in the hair papilla.

* Everyone has the same the number of melanocytes.

*Different hair color results from differences in amount melanin

everyone produces, which is genetically determined.
https://theconversation.com/studying-the-complex-genetics-behind-hair-colour-reveals-how-melanin-affects-us-171088
• More melanin= dark hair clour
• Less melanin= lighter hair colour

* There are 2 types of melanin:   Varying amounts and distribution of these

eumelanin (black) and pheomelanin (red or yellow) determines hair colour

*As a person ages, the melanin production decreases, and hair tends to
lose its color and becomes gray and/or white.
14
2. Accessory structures of skin https://www.msdmanuals.com/uk/professional/dermatologic-disorders/hair-

Hair cont’d
disorders/alopecia

*Eyelash air lifespan = 3 to 4 months

* Scalp hair life span = 3 to 4 years

* Hair shed and regrows at end of lifespan

* Alopecia = hair loss, many causes

* Androgenetic alopecia, baldness in males due to excessive male Alopecia

hormone, dihydrotestosterone.
- Some lotions promote blood flow to hair follicles to stimulate hair https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-nz/professional/dermatologic-disorders/hair-

growth disorders/hirsutism-and-hypertrichosis

* Alopecia areata, sudden onset of patchy hair loss and is common

in children and young adults.

*Hirsutism, excessive body and facial hair in women with excessive

male sex hormone (testosterone).
Hirsutism
2. Accessory structures of skin
Nails
• They are plates of tightly packed, hard, dead keratinized epidermal cells
• The visible part of nail= nail body
• Part of nail covered by skin is called nail root
• Cuticle is fold of skin that hides the nail root
• Lunula= whitish colour of half-moon shaped base. This colour is from the thick
layer of rapidly producing cells in this area

* Unlike hair, naiks grow continuously

https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/5-2-accessory-structures-of-the-skin 16
2. Accessory structures of skin
Glands
* Groups of cell in the skin that produce and secrete a substance into
openings (ducts) onto body surface (exocrine glands).

A. Sweat glands (sudoriferous glands)

- Present in all areas of skin
- 2 types of sweat glands

Eccrine sweat gland Apocrine sweat gland

Empty directly onto skin
Location: all over body (abundant on
palms and soles
Clear watery secretion (92% water,
may also contain salt and urea
Secretion begins soon after birth
More abundant
Empty into hair follicles
Location: armputs, groin, nipples
Viscous cloudy secretion (water, plus
lipid and proteins)
Secretion begins at puberty
Larger than eccrine glands

17
Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.
2. Accessory structures of skin
Glands cont’d
B. Sebaceous glands
• Associated with hair follicles

• Secrete oily substance= sebum (fatty acids, cholesterol)

• Helps keep moisture on skin and promotes skin hydration

• Kills bacteria on skin blackheads

• Black heads form on face if sebum is not discharged

• Acne vulgaris- most common form of acne is a result of

inflammation of sebaceous glands.

• Hormonal changes during puberty leads to very active

sebaceous glands
18
acne vulgaris https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
2. Accessory structures of skin
Glands cont’d
C. Ceruminous glands

• Modified apocrine glands

• Secrete cerumen (earwax)

• Found in lining of external ear canal

• Cerumen serves as a barrier to prevent entry of foreign

bodies

• An abnormal amount of cerumen impacts hearing Cerumen produced near outer opening of canal

https://www.earspecialistperth.com.au/what-we-do/ear-canal-disorders/earwax/

19
Summary: structure of the skin

https://www.scientificanimations.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Skin.jpg

20
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin 
2. Accessory structures of skin 
3. Functions of the skin
4. Effects of aging
5. Homeostasis

21
3. Functions of the skin
The skin has various functions
A. Protection
Provides protection from invasion of microbes, chemicals.
- Melanocytes protect skin from UV radiation
- Lanhergan cells protect against invasion from pathogens

B. Water resistance
Outer skin cells are dead and keratinized cells
- Skin is waterproof, preventing water loss
- Prevents water from entering the body when skin is immersed

C. Excretion
Eliminates excess water and waste through sweat glands

D. Sensory function https://www.acne.org/human-skin-basic-anatomy-and-functions.html

Receptors in the epidermis and dermis layers can detect pain, heat, and
cold…resulting in voluntary or reflex activities.
22
3. Functions of the skin
The skin has various functions cont’d
E. Regulate body temperature
Regulation of body temp is important as it will affect the rate of chemical reactions
in the body.

Slight changes in temperature can affect enzyme activity and disrupts normal rates
of chemical changes

If body temperature rises above normal (37◦C)

- The body will get rid of excess heat
- Blood vessels in dermis will dilate…> more blood flow to skin surface …>release
heat from body to environment

If body temperature rises below normal (37◦C)

- Heat is conserved by constriction of blood vessels….>reduces bloof flow to the
skin…>heat loss is reduced https://www.acne.org/human-skin-basic-anatomy-and-functions.html

23
3. Functions of the skin
The skin has various functions cont’d
F. Produces vitamin D
- Keratinized cells in epidermis exposed to UV radiation
produce vitamin D

- Vitamin D enters the liver and kidney where it's converted

to calcitriol which helps absorb calcium

- Calcium is essential for bones

- Lack of vitamin D in the body can lad to Rickets

https://healthjade.net/rickets/
- Rickets is a bone disorder characterized by weekend bones

24
3. Functions of the skin
Summary
The skin has various functions

https://www.bbraun.co.uk/en/patients/wound-healing/knowledge-series.html 25
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin 
2. Accessory structures of skin 
3. Functions of the skin 
4. Effects of aging
5. Homeostasis

26
4.  Effects of Aging of Integumentary System
As the body ages, many change stake place in the integumentary system

* Cells
- Epidermal thinning
- Decreased no. of Langerhan cells
- Decreased melanocyte activity

* Activity
- Decreased glandular activity (sweat and oil glands)
- Decreased function of hair follicles

* Production
- Reduced blood supply
- Decreased vitamin D production
- Reduction of elastic fibers https://www.restorbio.com/how-does-aging-affect-the-integumentary-system/

* Slower repair rate

27
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin 
2. Accessory structures of skin 
3. Functions of the skin 
4. Effects of aging 
5. Homeostasis

28
5.  Homeostasis
Homeostasis: Keep things in balance

* Characteristics of all living things

* Maintains stable conditions inside you body to adjust to changes in the

environment homeostasis

* Regulates certain substances/enzymes in the body to control factors like

temperature

* Organisms cannot survive without such regulation

* Without homeostasis, person can develop diseases like diabetes,

hypoglycemia

29
5.  Homeostasis
Homeostasis: example, temperature

* After extensive physical activity, your body temperature

increases
* Sweating releases heat
* You body will take action to help it cool down and return * Increased blood flow helps cool
to normal body temperature

Sweating
Physical activity Increase blood flow

c tivity
a
ysi cal
Ph

Hot Cold Hot Cold

30
5.  Homeostasis

* The skin and other parts of integumentary system work

with other parts of the body to maintain homeostasis

31
Longernbaker, S.N. (2019). Mader's Understanding human anatomy and physiology (10 ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Learning Outcomes
1. Structure of the skin 
2. Accessory structures of skin 
3. Functions of the skin 
4. Effects of aging 
5. Homeostasis 

32
References
1. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body
2. https://www.britannica.com
3. Longbaker, Susannah Nelson. (2017). Mader's understanding human anatomy physiology . New York: McGraw
Hill.

33