THE

INTEGUMENTARY
SYSTEM
 What is the
integumentary
system?
The integumentary system
consists of the skin and its
accessory structures, including the
hair, nails, sebaceous glands, and
sweat glands.
Structure of the skin
Skin
• Largest organ of the body
• Also known as the cutaneous
membrane
• Has two main components:
Epidermis
Dermis
 Structure of the Skin
Epidermis (epi-on top, dermis-skin)
• Keratinized stratified epithelium Dermis

Dermis
• Loose connective tissue and dense
irregular tissue
Hypodermis ( hypo-below)
• Also known as “superficial fascia” or “
subcutaneous tissue”
• Anchors skin to the muscle
• Loose connective tissue
• Where medicines are administered via
subcutaneous injection.
 FUNCTIONS OF THE SKIN
• PROTECTION
The skin protects against invasion by bacteria and other
harmful agents. It protects delicate cells beneath the surface from
injury.

• THERMOREGULATION
The skin maintains a stable internal body temperature
through negative feed back loops.

• EXCRETION
The skin excretes waste and impurities via sweet.
FUNCTIONS OF THE
SKIN
• VITAMIN D SYNTHESIS
The skin synthesized vitamin D when
exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

• SENSATION
The skin has sensory receptors that detect
internal and external environment changes such as
heat, cold and pain. When stimulation occurs, nerve
impulses are sent to the cerebral cortex of the
brain… and the brain triggers any necessary
response.
 EPIDERMIS
Keratinocytes (cytes- cells)

• Make up 95 % of cells in the epidermis

• Strengthen epidermis, makes it
• Resistant to mechanical trauma
• Joined by desmosomes
• Arrange into “ strata (layers)”
 Stratum Corneum
 Stratum Lucidum
 Stratum Granulosum
 Stratum Basale
STRATUM CORNEUM

• Most superficial layer of the

epidermis
• Several layers of dead, flatted
keratinocytes
• Sheds dead keratinocytes.
• Functions include:
waterproofing, protection from
abrasion
and penetration, rendering the body
relatively to biological, chemical, and
physical assaults
 STRATUM LUCIDUM

• Deep to the stratum Corneum

• Found in thick skin
• Clear layer of dead
keratinocytes
STRATUM GRANULOSUM

• Middle layer of the epidermis

• Named for prominent granules
• 3-5 rows of cells
• Excretes a lipid-based substance
STRATUM SPINOSUM
• Deep to the stratum Basale
• Thickest Stratum of the
epidermis
• Name due to its spiky
appearing cells
• Cells are metabolically active
• Undergo mitosis
• Help to synthesize Vitamin D
STRATUM BASALE

• The deepest layer of the epidermis

• Consist of a single layer of the stem
• Richest supply of blood
• Most metabolically active
• Undergo Mitosis
• Also knowns as “Stratum
Germinativum (germinating)”
• Helps to synthesize vitamin D.
 OTHER CELLS OF THE
EPIDERMIS
Dendritic (Langerhans) cells
• Found in the stratum spinosum
• Phagocytes of the immune system
• Protects the skin and underlying tissue from pathogens
Merkel Cells
• Oval cells found in the Stratum Basale
• Sensory receptors that detect light touch, shapes and textures
• Also found in the fingertips, lips, and base of hair
Melanocytes (melan-black)
• found in the stratum Basale
•
 DERMIS

 Houses blood supply

 Anchors epidermis in place
 Two layers
 Papillary Layer
 Reticular Layer
 PAPILLARY LAYER
• Most superficial layer of the dermis
• Consist of loose connective tissue
• Collagen fibers anchor dermis and
epidermis together
• Dermal Papillae:
• Found on the surface of the papillary
layer
• Houses tiny blood vessels called
capillaries
• Houses sensory receptors called Tactile
(Meissner) corpuscles
 RETICULAR LAYER
 Deepest and thickest layer of the dermis
 Consist of defense irregular connective
tissue
 Collagen fibers that strengthens the dermis
 Elastic fibers that allow skin to revert after
strecthing
 Proteoglycans that hydrate the skin
 Blood vessels and accessory structure (hair,
sweat glands, sebaceous glands)
 Sensory receptors, such as pacinians
(lamellated) corpuscles that respond to
changes in pressure and vibration.
 SKIN PIGMENTATION
MELANIN
 Melanin ranges in colors of orange-red to black. Melanin is produced by melanocytes in
the stratum basale. It is composed of two “ tyrosine” amino acids that are joined by the
enzymes “ tyrosinase”. More melanin is synthesized when exposed to UV radiation
(tanning).
Function of Melanin:
Protect keratinocytes from mutating due to UV exposure.
Prevent the skin from synthesizing too much Vitamin D in response to radiation
Melanin can be unevenly distributed throughout the skin:
• Moles are produced when a high amount of melanocytes are proliferated in one spot.
• Freckles are produced when pigment is concentrated in one spot from a high amount of
melanin production.
• Albinism is when melanocytes fail to produce the tyrosinase enzyme. This lack of skin
pigmentation can increase the risk of DNA damage of keratinocytes.
 SKIN PIGMENTATION
Other Pigments that affect Skin Color
There are two pigments that contribute to skin color, carotene and hemoglobin.

CAROTENE:
• Gives yellow-orange pigment
• Lipid-soluble molecule
• Usually ingested in diet from yellow and orange foods
• Accumulates in stratum corneum
HEMOGLOBIN
• Gives skin a pinkish hue
• Protein found in red blood cells that binds and transports oxygen
• Turns a bright-orange red color when oxided.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
HAIR
Hair or pili, are filamentous structures that project from the
skin’s (thin skin) surface. Hair in different areas of the body all
carry out different protective function for examples:

• Eyelashes and eyebrows keep foreign objects out of the eyes.

• Nose hairs prevents the inhalation of insects and harmful
partciles
• Hair on the head protects the body from UV radiation and
mechanical trauma
Sensory neurons help the hair to detect environmental
changes.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
STRUCTURES OF THE HAIR
They are many structures that make up the hair, with
the root and shaft being the main two:
• Shaft- part of the hair that projects from the surface of
the skin.
• Root- part of the hair that is embedded in the dermis
of the skin.
• Hair papilla-indentation at the base of the hair bulb
that contains blood vessels.
• Hair bulb- structure at the deep end of the hair follicle
• Hair Matrix- structure at the base of hair bulb that
produces new hairs via mitosis.
• Hair Follicle- infolding surrounding the hair root.
ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
STRUCTURES OF THE HAIR
One strand of Hair has 3 regions:

Inner Medulla
• found in thick hairs only
• Contains soft Keratin
Middle Cortex
• Highly Structure with several Layers
• Contain hard Keratin
Outer Cuticle
• Most superficial layer
• Single layer of hard keratinocytes that overlap
 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
HAIR GROWTH
Hair growth averages about 1-1.5 cm per month, but can vary among individuals.
Hair growth occurs through a two-stage cycle:
1. Growth stage
a. Mitosis occurs in the matrix of the root
b. As cells divide, cells above are pushed upward from blood supply
c. Cells keratinize and die
2. Resting Stage
d. Cells in matrix stop dividing and begin to die
e. The follicle shortens
f. Hair is pushed upward and remains dormant for a few months
Age, environment, diet, and genetics can all impact the rate at which hair grows. When
hair begins to fall out faster that it grows (which leads to thinning), this a condition called
alopecia.
 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
NAILS
Nails are hard structures located at the end of our digits
that contain hard keratin. Nails function to protect our
underlying tissue and enable gripping and manipulation.
There are many structures of the nail that help it to carry
out its functions:
• NAIL PLATE- Part of the nail that rests on the top of
the epidermal nail bed.
• NAIL BED- deep to the nail plate, nourishes and
protects the nail.
• NAIL BODY- Visible part of the nail.
• NAIL ROOT- Lies under the skin
• NAIL MATRIX-part of the nail with living, dividing
cells. Supplies oxygen to the nail, sight of nail growth.
 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
NAILS
• PROXIMAL NAIL FOLD- covers the edge of
the root.
• EPONYCHIUM- also known as the “cuticle”,
found at the base of the nail, protects matrix
from infections.
• NAIL FOLDS- Overlapping of the skin that
borders the nail laterally and medially.
• HYPONCYHIUM- skin that lies under the
free edge of the nail.
• LUNULA- crescent shaped area where keratin
accumulates.
 ACCESSORY STRUCTURES
NAILS GROWTH
Nail growth occurs in the matrix. On average,
fingernails grow about 0.5 mm a week, Toe nails
on the other hand grow more slowly.

One of the most common conditions of the nail is

an “ingrown nail”. Ingrown nails usually occur in
the toenail. This condition in which the nail grows
into tissue medial or lateral to the nail. An
ingrown nail can be treated by the removal of the
nail or by administrating chemicals to the matrix
of the nail to kill off the cells.
 GLANDS
GLANDS
The skin has two main types of glands, sudoriferous glands that produce sweat,
and sebaceous glands which produce sebum (oil). Both are located in the
dermis of the skin.
SUDORIFEROUS or SWEAT GLAND – found all over the body surfaces
and opens into the sores of the skin
SUDORIFEROUS (sweat) glands have four types:
• Eccrine sweat glands- Released through sweat pores.
• Apocrine Sweat Glands- Sweat released into hair pores. Sweat metabolized
by bacteria which produced an odor.
• Ceruminous Glands - with waxy secretion found in the external auditory
meatus
• Mammary Glands -for milk secretion
 GLANDS
GLANDS
The skin has two main types of glands, sudoriferous glands that produce
sweat, and sebaceous glands which produce sebum (oil). Both are located in
the dermis of the skin
SEBACEOUS GLANDS are branched glands with clusters of small ducts
surrounded by secretory cells called named acini cells. These ducts empty a
waxy oily liquid called sebum (oil) into either a hair follicle or through a
small pore. They function to coat the skin and hair with moisture.
 DISORDER / ABNORMALITIES
HYPERHYDROSIS

.
 DISORDERS (Bacterial Infections)
PIMPLE/ ACNE
(Acne vulgaris)
 DISORDER (Bacterial Infections)

• LEPROSY
Mycobacterium leprae
 DISORDER (Bacterial Infections)

•BOILS
(CARBUNCLE)
 DISORDERS (Fungal
Infections)
Symptoms of a Possible Fungal Foot
Infection include:
• Reddened, cracked, and peeling skin
• Some bleeding if irritated
• Itching
• Burning
• Stinging sensation
 DISORDERS (Fungal Infections)
• RING WORM
• Tinea corporis
• Tinea capitis
 DISORDERS (Fungal Infections)
• ATHLETE’S FOOT
• Tinea pedis
 DISORDERS (Fungal Infections)
• ONCHOMYCOSIS
• Tinea unguium
 DISORDERS (Fungal Infections)
• JOCK ITCH
• Tinea cruris
 DISORDERS / ABNORMALITIES
• ECZEMA
 UNUSUAL SKIN CONDITION
• HEMANGIOMA
(BIRTHMARK)
 UNUSUAL SKIN CONDITION
• MOLE (NEYUS)
 UNUSUAL SKIN CONDITION
• KELOID (SCAR)
 UNUSUAL SKIN CONDITION
• WHITE & BLACK
HEADS
 UNUSUAL SKIN CONDITION
• MELANOMA
 BURNS
FIRST DEGREE or partial thickness burn
• Only epidermis is damaged
• Erythema, mild edema, surface layer shed
• Healing – a few days to two weeks
• No scarring
 BURNS
SECOND DEGREE - deep partial-layer burn
• Destroys epidermis
• Blisters form
• Healing depends on survival of accessory organs
• No scars unless infected
 BURNS
THIRD DEGREE or full-thickness burn
• Destroys epidermis, dermis and accessory
organs of the skin
• Healing occurs from margins inward
• Skin grafting may be needed
• Autograft
• Homograft
• Rule of Nines
 BURNS
First-degree
(epidermis only; redness)

Second-degree
(epidermis and dermis,
with blistering)

Third-degree
(full thickness, destroying
epidermis, dermis, often part of
hypodermis)