The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the body. It includes the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands. The integumentary system performs a variety of vital functions; it forms a protective barrier against the environment, prevents excessive fluid loss, produces vitamin D precursors, and more.
When any of the structures in this system aren’t working properly, it can lead to major health problems.
Some common diseases of the integumentary system include skin cancer, psoriasis, dermatitis, scabies, and impetigo. Some less common conditions include leprosy and vitiligo.
Treatment for integumentary disorders depends on the specific disease or problem. In some cases medications may help resolve symptoms; in others surgery or other treatments are necessary.
The Integumentary System
The integumentary system is the body’s largest organ. It includes the skin, hair and nails. Skin is the most visible part of this system, and it has many vital functions.**
Skin protects the body from injury and infection. The skin also helps to regulate body temperature by sensing environmental conditions and helping to maintain a stable internal temperature through sweat glands, oil glands and blood vessels.**
The hair on your skin has a variety of functions, including keeping your head warm, acting as a shield against ultraviolet light, and providing you with tactile sensations. Your hair can also serve as an indicator of health. For example, shiny hair may indicate good nutrition or good health. Dry, brittle hair may mean you are under stress or getting sick.*
Nails give helpful information about a person’s health. For example, clubbing of the fingertips may indicate anemia or other nutritional problems.*
The integumentary system is susceptible to a variety of diseases and disorders that can range from slight annoyance to life threatening illnesses. These include:*
-Acne: Acne is a disorder that causes an outbreak of blemishes on the skin due to blocked pores in the skin.*
-Athlete’s Foot: Athlete’s
The integumentary system is made up of hair, nails, and skin. It protects the body against heat loss, water loss, injury, and infection. The integumentary system has a number of functions:
Protects from invasion by disease-causing organisms.
Protects from water loss (evaporation).
Protects from heat loss.
Prevents overexposure to sunlight.
Prevents excessive vitamin D production with prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Contains sensory receptors that respond to touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.
Manufactures vitamin D in response to ultraviolet radiation in sunlight.
The integumentary system is the body’s largest organ. It is made up of the skin and its structures, including hair, nails, and glands. The skin is the barrier that protects us from infections and helps to regulate body temperature. It also detects sensations like pressure, heat, and cold.
When the integumentary system does not function properly, it can affect the entire body. Skin conditions can affect appearance and self-esteem. For example, acne can make a person feel unattractive and nervous about social situations. Other skin conditions, such as psoriasis or eczema, may cause itching or discomfort. Some people with skin disorders suffer from depression or anxiety as a result of their condition.
Skin problems vary in severity. Some are minor irritations; others are life threatening. The most common types include:
Acne
Eczema (atopic dermatitis)
Hives (urticaria)
Ringworm (tinea corporis)
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Skin cancer
The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the human body. It’s made up of the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands. The skin is only about 2 millimeters thick yet is by far the largest organ in the body. It makes up 15% of the total body weight, with a surface area of almost 20 square feet. The integumentary system plays a number of roles: it forms a protective barrier against microbes and environmental damage, prevents dehydration, protects against abrasion and sun damage, excretes waste products through sweat, helps regulate temperature, acts as a sensory organ for touch and pain, synthesizes vitamin D and stores fat.
The integumentary system is composed of the largest organ of the body, the skin. Skin is not only protective but also contains the receptors for touch, pressure, pain and heat. The other components that make up the integumentary system include hair and nails.
The skin is composed of two layers: the epidermis and dermis. The epidermis is composed of stratified squamous epithelium and accounts for approximately 95% of the thickness of the skin. It contains melanocytes, which are responsible for skin pigmentation; Merkel cells which are associated with sensory perception; and Langerhans’ cells which are involved in immune processes.
The dermis contains blood vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, sebaceous (oil) glands, lymphatic vessels and nerves. The hypodermis or subcutaneous layer lies beneath the dermis and consists predominantly of adipose (fat) tissue. Hair is a complex structure consisting of dead keratinized cells; it grows from a follicle located in the dermis. The nail plate covers the dorsal surface of each digital tip, extending from its root at the lunula to its free edge. Nails grow from a matrix located beneath the nail bed, forming a nail plate composed primarily
The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the human body. It consists of the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands and sebaceous glands. The integumentary system plays a vital role in protecting the body from infection, injury and ultraviolet radiation. It also helps to maintain body temperature and fluid balance.
The integumentary system is composed of multiple layers of cells that work together to provide protection for the internal organs of the body. The outermost layer of skin is called the epidermis, while the layer underneath it is called the dermis. The layers are separated by a thin membrane known as the basement membrane.
The epidermis contains several types of cells called keratinocytes, melanocytes and Langerhans cells. Keratinocytes produce keratin, a protein that gives structure to hair and nails and also provides protection for skin cells. Melanocytes produce melanin, which gives color to the skin and protects skin from damage caused by ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. Langerhans cells help fight infection.
The dermis is made up of connective tissue, blood vessels and nerve endings called sensory receptors that are responsible for sending messages to your brain about touch, pain and temperature. The dermis also contains structures found in