INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

By Cody, Tannor, Trent, and Cassandra

Integumentary System

The integumentary system is the largest of the body's organ systems and one of the most important. Far from being just a covering to make sure that the

body's inner organs aren’t exposed, the skin serves a number of functions, ranging from helping

the body eliminate waste to protecting the body from physical trauma.

Structures

Hair

Nails

Glands

Skin (Epidermis and Dermis)

Skin

The skins functions are protection, temperature regulation, keeping out bacteria and other harmful stuff, and

the skin is waterproof.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the first layer of you skin. The epidermis is mostly for

protection and keeping out bacteria and viruses.

Dermis

The dermis is the middle layer of your skin. It holds most of the glands and nerve endings. Like your sweat glands and your oil glands are located on this level. You feel hot, cold, touch and several

others through your dermis.

Glands

The integumentary system has two main types of glands, the sudoriferous (sweat) gland and

sebaceous (oil) gland.

The sweat eliminated by these glands contain water, salts, and some body wastes.

The oil glands produce a secretion called sebum, an oil that keeps the skin and hair from becoming dry

and brittle and serves as a bactericide. When an oil gland becomes plugged, the accumulation of dirt

and oil results in a blackhead or pimple.

Nail

The nails main function is to protect the tip of the finger. But the nail also acts as a counterforce when the end of the finger touches an object, it enhances the sensitivity of the fingertip, even

though there are no nerves there.

Hair

Hair covers almost every exposed surface of the body and has important functions. Hair on the

head protects you from the suns ultraviolet light and hair in the nostrils, external ear

canals, and the eyelashes prevent dirt and other particles from entering the body. They

also keep the body warm.

Interactions with other systems

The integumentary system interacts with every system, since it provides a barrier for every internal organ and keeps the body warm enough to have every system work properly.

It works with the nervous system because in the skin there are receptors in the skin that send sensory information to the

brain.

It works with the immune system because it’s a barrier to bad bacteria and other stuff.

It also works with the circulatory system because capillaries near the surface of the skin open when your body needs to cool off

and close when you need to conserve heat.