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Encyclopedia > Integumentary system

In zootomy, the integumentary system is the external covering of the body, comprising the skin, hair, scales, nails, sweat glands and their products (sweat and mucus). The integumentary system has a variety of functions; in animals, it may serve to waterproof, cushion and protect the deeper tissues, excrete wastes, regulate temperature and are the location of sensory receptors for pain, pressure and temperature. The name derives from the Latin integumentum, which means 'a covering'. It is the skin. Zootomy is a contraction of zoological and anatomy and refers to the dissection of animals as opposed to that of plants (phytotomy) See also: Androtomy, zootomical terms for location, Cat anatomy La Anatomía comparada estudia diversas especies. ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... For the 1968 stage production, see Hair (musical), for the 1979 film, see Hair (film). ... In this SEM image of a butterfly wing the scales are clearly visible, and the tiny platelets on each individual scale are just barely visible in the striping. ... For other uses, see Nail. ... SWEAT is an OLN/TSN show hosted by Julie Zwillich that aired in 2003-2004. ... Mucus cells. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ...

Contents

As an organ system

The integumentary system is often the largest organ system of an animal by surface area. It distinguishes, separates, protects and informs the animal with regard to its surroundings. Small-bodied invertebrates of aquatic or continually moist habitats respire using the outer layer (integument). This gas exchange system, where gases simply diffuse into and out of the interstitial fluid, is called integumentary exchange. This article is about the biological unit. ... For other uses, see Animal (disambiguation). ... In animal physiology, respiration is the transport of oxygen from the ambient air to the tissue cells and the transport of carbon dioxide in the opposite direction. ... Interstitial fluid (or tissue fluid, or intercellular fluid) is a solution which bathes and surrounds the cells of multicellular animals. ...


Anatomy

The cutaneous membrane (skin) and its accessory structures (hair, scales, feathers, nails, exocrine glands) make up the integumentary system. This article is about skin in the biological sense. ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... Exocrine gland refers to glands that secrete their products and temporarily store their secretions in a duct. ...


There are three layers of skin:

  1. Epidermis
  2. Dermis
  3. Subcutaneous tissue

Below the dermis, the subcutis acts to protect underlying muscles, tissues, and other organs. Hair on the surface of the skin helps maintain body temperature and filter out harmful particles. Look up Epidermis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The dermis is a layer of skin beneath the epidermis that consists of connective tissue and cushions the body from stress and strain. ... The distribution of the bloodvessels in the skin of the sole of the foot. ... For other uses of Muscles, see Muscles (disambiguation). ... Biological tissue is a group of cells that perform a similar function. ...


Cutaneous glands include:

In humans, there are four kinds of sudoriferous or sweat glands which differ greatly in both the composition of the sweat and its purpose. ... SWEAT is an OLN/TSN show hosted by Julie Zwillich that aired in 2003-2004. ... Schematic view of a hair follicle with sebaceous gland. ... For other uses, see Skin (disambiguation). ... For the 1968 stage production, see Hair (musical), for the 1979 film, see Hair (film). ... The ear canal (external auditory meatus, external acoustic meatus), is a tube running from the outer ear to the middle ear. ... Wet-type human earwax on a cotton swab. ... Mammary glands are the organs that, in the female mammal, produce milk for the sustenance of the young. ... For other uses, see Breast (disambiguation). ...

Layers

Epidermis

The epidermis is the thin outer layer of skin that contains melanin which gives skin its color and allows for the skin to tan. Carotene, and oxygen-rich hemoglobin also contributes to the color of skin. The epidermis also encompasses the protein keratin which stiffens epidermal tissue to form finger nails. The outermost layer consists of 25-30 layers of dead cells. Further levels include: Broadly, melanin is any of the polyacetylene, polyaniline, and polypyrrole blacks and browns or their mixed copolymers. ... Not to be confused with kerogen or carotene. ... This article discusses the anatomical nail. ...

  1. Scaly Cells form the surface of the skin
  2. Melanocytes give the skin color
  3. Langerhans cells are formed in the bone marrow and work to fight infection

It is divided into the following sub-layers: Langerhans cells are immature dendritic cells containing large granules called Birbeck granules. ...


Sublayers

Epidermis is divided into the following 5 sublayers or strata:

  1. Stratum corneum
  2. Stratum lucidum.....
  3. Stratum granulosum
  4. Stratum spinosum
  5. Stratum germinativum (also called "stratum basale")

The stratum corneum (the horny layer) is the outermost layer of the epidermis (the outermost layer of the skin). ... The Stratum Lucidum is one of the layers of the Epidermis. ... Stratum granulosum contains 3 to 5 rows of flattened cells whose cytoplasm contains small granules. ... It is a multiple-layered arrangement of cuboidal cells containing molecular bridges that conect them to adjacent cells. ... Stratum germinativum (also stratum basale or basal cell layer) is the layer of keratinocytes that lies at the base of the epidermis immediately above the dermis. ...

Dermis

The dermis is the bottom-most, thick inner layer of skin, which comprises blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves, lymph vessels, sweat glands and hair shafts. It has two main layers: f you all The blood vessels are part of the circulatory system and function to transport blood throughout the body. ... Connective tissue is one of the four types of tissue in traditional classifications (the others being epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue. ... Nerves (yellow) Nerves redirects here. ... In anatomy, lymph vessels are thin walled, valved structures that carry lymph. ... In humans, there are four kinds of sudoriferous or sweat glands which differ greatly in both the composition of the sweat and its purpose. ...

  1. Upper Papillary: Contains touch receptors which communicate with the central nervous system and is responsible for the folds of the fingerprints
  2. Lower Reticular: Made of dense elastic fibers that house the hair follicles, nerves, and gland

the penis has an extra layer of skin known as the penile dermis. it is very sensitive. the skin can become really dak and beatiful if you are blessed and this is called a kong wako neek A macro shot of a palm and the base of several fingers; as seen here, debris can gather between the ridges. ... A hair follicle is part of the skin that grows hair by packing old cells together. ... Human submaxillary gland. ...


Subcutaneous tissue

The subcutaneous tissue or subcutis is the layer of tissue directly underlying the cutis. It is mainly composed of adipose tissue. Its physiological function includes insulation and storage of nutrients. Adipose tissue is one of the main types of connective tissue. ...


Functions

The integumentary system has multiple roles in homeostasis. All body systems work in an interconnected manner to maintain the internal conditions essential to the function of the body. The skin has an important job of protecting the body and acts somewhat as the body’s first line of defense against infection, temperature change or other challenges to homeostasis. Functions include: Homeostasis is the property of either an open system or a closed system, especially a living organism, which regulates its internal environment so as to maintain a stable, constant condition. ...

Look up Tissue in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Dehydration (hypohydration) is the removal of water (hydro in ancient Greek) from an object. ... For the geological process, see Weathering or Erosion. ... For other uses, see Temperature (disambiguation). ... The kidneys are important excretory organs in vertebrates. ... Perspiration (also called sweating or sometimes transpiration) is the production and evaporation of a fluid, consisting primarily of water as well as a smaller amount of sodium chloride (the main constituent of table salt), that is excreted by the sweat glands in the skin of mammals. ... Somatic sensation consists of the various sensory receptors that trigger the experiences labelled as touch or pressure, temperature (warm or cold), pain (including itch and tickle), and the sensations of muscle movement and joint position including posture, movement, and facial expression (collectively also called proprioception). ... Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that contributes to the maintenance of normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream. ... For other uses, see Ultraviolet (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Light (disambiguation). ... Impact from a water drop causes an upward rebound jet surrounded by circular capillary waves. ... For other uses, see FAT. Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and largely insoluble in water. ... Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that contributes to the maintenance of normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the bloodstream. ...

Diseases and injuries

The specialized treatment of the integumentary system is performed by dermatologists. Possible diseases and injuries to the human integumentary system include: Dermatology (from Greek δερμα, skin) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc). ...

A rash is a change in skin which affects its color, appearance, or texture. ... For the packaging type, see Blister pack. ... Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a very common genetic follicular condition that is manifested by the appearance of rough bumps on the skin and hence colloquially referred to as chicken skin. It most often appears on the back and outer sides of the upper arms (though the lower arms can also... Athletes foot or Tinea pedis[1] is a parasitic fungal infection of the epidermis of the foot. ... An infection is the detrimental colonization of a host organism by a foreign species. ... Calcinosis cutis (or cutaneous calcification) is a type of calcinosis wherein calcium deposits form in the skin. ... A keloid is a special type of scar which results in an overgrowth of tissue at the site of a healed skin injury. ...

See also

An exoskeleton is an external anatomical feature that supports and protects an animals body, in contrast to the internal endoskeleton of, for example, a human. ... Various seashells Danielle A shell is the hard, rigid outer covering, or integument, allanimals. ... The major systems of the human body consist of: Circulatory system Digestive system Endocrine system Immune system Integumentary system Lymphatic system Muscular system Nervous system Reproductive system Respiratory system Skeletal system Urinary system Category: ...

In botany

In botany, the integument refers to the envelope of an ovule. Pinguicula grandiflora commonly known as a Butterwort Example of a cross section of a stem [1] Botany is the scientific study of plant life. ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...


References

  • Kardong, Kenneth V. (1998). Vertebrates: Comparative Anatomy, Function, Evolution, second edition, USA: McGraw-Hill, 747 pp.. ISBN 0-07-115356-X/0-697-28654-1. 

The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ...

External links


  Results from FactBites:
 
Science Netlinks: The Integumentary System (458 words)
The purpose of the digestive system is to turn the food you eat into something useful for the body.
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The primary function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen in order for the blood to deliver oxygen to all parts of the body.
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