The
Integumentary
System
What is the Integumentary
System?
 It protects the body from injury and pathogens
 It regulates body temperature
 It eliminates waste through perspiration
 It contains nerve endings for cold, heat, pain, pressure, and
vitamins
 It stores fat and vitamins
What is it?
THE SKIN! (The largest organ in your body)
Don’t forget this system also includes your hair and nails!
Integumentary System
Integument means ‘covering’
Integumentary system covers
body (skin)
Review
Homeostasis
Definition:
 The tendency toward a relatively stable equilibrium
Homeostasis and the
Integumentary System
Normal body
temperature
Change in temperature
Normal body
temperature
How does the integumentary
system respond to changes?
 Increase in body temp. (hotter)
 Vessels in skin will dilate (get bigger)
 Sweat
 Decrease in body temp. (colder)
 Vessels in skin will constrict (get
smaller)
Structure
Epidermis
 Most superficial layer of
skin made up of many
layers of tightly packed
cells
 Form an impermeable
layer
 Acts as a barrier
against bacteria and
viruses
Dermis
 Deep layer of skin
 Most complex layer
 Location of sweat
glands, hair follicles,
nerve fibers, and many
blood vessels*
Hypodermis
 Largely made of
adipose tissue (fat)
 This layer also contains
blood vessels and
nerves
Homeostatic Imbalances of
Skin
 Athletes foot – caused by a fungus,
involves toes and soles of feet
 Boils – caused by bacteria entering
hair follicles or sebaceous glands
 Eczema – red itchy areas of
surface of skin
Homeostatic Imbalances of
Skin
 Skin cancer
 Pressure sores – caused by poor circulation resulting from
pressure that destroys skin and creates ulcer
Homeostatic Imbalances of
Skin
 Shingles – skin eruption due to viral
infection
 Gangrene – necrosis of tissue cells
due to blockage of blood supply to
an area, or blockage from disease
or direct injury
 Dermatitis – inflammation of skin
(type of eczema)
Homeostatic Imbalances of
Skin
 Tears – due to fragile skin
 Warts – viral infection of skin
 Burns – first, second, or third degree, depending on
amount of skin tissue destroyed
 Bruising – due to fragile skin and/or effects of
medications
Observations of the
Integumentary System to
Report
 Breaks
 Rash
 Complaint of itching
 Black and blue areas
 Redness
 Ulcers, sores, or drainage