The Integumentary System

CD1 M10 - August 21, 2017

LESSON 1

The Integumentary System

• The integumentary system is made up of skin and its glands and outgrowths. It provides protection, sensory perception, temperature regulation and a means of excreting wastes from the human body

• The skin and its appendages accomplish several functions, namely:

1. providing protection for the internal organs from the outside environment

2. providing protection from dehydration

3. maintaining homeostasis

4. excreting some waste products via the sebaceous and sweat glands

5. maintaining the sites for the reception of external cutaneous sensations

6. serving as a blood reservoir

7. doing some metabolic functions

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LESSON 2

The Parts of the Integumentary System and their Functions

• The different parts of the Integumentary system are:

  1. Epidermis - the outer surface of the skin

  2. Dermis - the inner layer of the kin beneath the epidermis

  3. Sebaceous glands - the tiny glands in the dermis of the skin that protect it by secreting sebum

  4. Subcutaneous tissues - the tissue found under the skin

  5. Hair follicles - the its surrounding the roots of hair

  6. Sweat glands - the minute curled tubes of the skin's epidermis growing down into the dermis which actively secrete sweat

• Keratin - the protein responsible for keeping the skin waterproof

• The lymph vessels are tiny openings into the dermis that provide protection from infections

• Sebum - the oily substance that lubricates and waterproofs the hair and skin

• Collagen - the tough fibrous protein of connective tissue found in the skin, bones, teeth, cartilage, ligaments, etc. that forms the matrix of the skin

  1. Glabrous - the thick skin found on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet

  2. Melanin - the black or brown pigment found in varying degrees in the skin, hair nd eyes of human and animals

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LESSON 3

Common Skin Diseases and Injuries: Prevention and Treatment

• The following are just some of the common skin injuries/diseases:

  1. Skin cuts - slits, incisions or injuries made by cutting

  2. Burns - injuries or marks caused by fire, heat, acid, friction, etc.

  3. Psoriasis - a common noncontagious skin disease of unknown cause, characterized by scales

  4. Vitiligo - a condition in which irregular patches of skin lose color and turn white

  5. Acne - a skin disorder, common in adolescence, caused by the overactivity of the sebaceous glands

  6. Scabies - a contagious skin disease caused by a secretion of the itch mite

  7. Prickly heat - a common condition in which areas of the skin itch intensely and often feel prickly or sting due to overheating

  8. Athlete's foot - term used to describe what really is a form of fungal infection of the feet

  9. Tinea versicolor - a common skin condition due to overgrowth of a skin surface yeast

  10. Warts - noncancerous skin growths caused by a viral infection in the top layer of the skin

  11. Boils - staphylococcal skin infections which involves hair follicles

  12. Skin tumors - skin lumps which ae not always malignant or cancerous

  13. Skin cancer - disease caused by a variety of agents including chemicals and chronic X-ray exposure

  14. Skin allergies - reactions caused by contact of the skin with a certain substance

  15. Leprosy - an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae

• The following are some things you can do to keep your Integumentary system healthy:

1. Eat a lot of protein-rich foods

2. Make sure that you get plenty of vitamin A by eating vegetables

3. Avoid activities that may cause skin injuries

4. Always wear or use protective equipment to prevent skin injuries

5. Avoid too much sun exposure

6. Use an umbrella if you are staying long under the sun

7. Keep your skin clean

8. Always get enough sleep and rest

9. Stop smoking

10. Maintain proper hygiene

11. Be careful when using skin products

12. Always seek medical help when an unexplained mark or lesion is noted on the skin

13. Always keep your feet dry

14. Avoid contact with people who have skin lesions