2. Integumentary System The skin provides a protective two-way barrier between our internal environment and the outside world. It also plays an important role in temperature regulation, houses sensory receptors to detect the environment around us and secretes important fluids.
4. Integumentary System Facts Information about different layers of this organ system is covered in short through these facts. An organ system of the body which covers it and provides protection from damage is known as the integumentary system. Along with the skin, the integumentary system is formed of scales, hair, nails, and feathers in case of birds. The integumentary system is divided in 3 parts i.e. the epidermis, dermis and subdermis.
5. Integumentary System Functions The main function of the integumentary system is to protect the internal organs from any kind of damage. Apart from that, the regulation of body temperature, preventing pathogens from entering the body, perspiration, generation of vitamin D, and protection from UV rays are some of the other functions of the integumentary system. Protection of the body from dehydration is also one of the important integumentary system functions. Moreover, the storage of fats, water, vitamin D and glucose takes place in the skin.
6. Integumentary System:Skin Illustration Epidermis: The upper or outer layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin. The epidermis is mostly made up of flat, scale-like cells called squamous cells.Under the squamous cells are round cells called basal cells. The deepest part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. These cells produce melanin, which gives the skin its color. Dermis: The lower or inner layer of the two main layers of cells that make up the skin. The dermis contains blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, and glands that produce sweat, which helps regulate body temperature, and sebum, an oily substance that helps keep the skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the skin's surface through tiny openings in the skin that act as pores.
7. Disorders of the Integumentary SystemIntegumentary system disorders can get triggered due to many environmental, or internal bodily functions/malfunctions, some of them have been listed below. Rash: A rash is a skin condition characterized by the color change and texture of skin. A skin rash is generally associated as a symptom of certain diseases like measles, chicken pox, etc. Even allergies cause rashes to erupt, turn bumpy, dry, blistered, and/or swell up causing pain.Skin Cancer: It is a malignant growth that generally develops in the epidermis. As the cancer develops on the outer layer of the skin, it can be diagnosed quicker as compared to other cancers. Skin cancer exhibits itself through redness, scaly lesions or a lumpy feeling around the infected area.Athlete's Foot: A fungal infection of the skin that primarily affects the foot, but can also infect the groin and other parts of the body. This infection gets transmitted when people walk barefoot in moist or water logged places like showers or bathhouses, or swamps and gutters. In this condition the skin starts to scale, flake and itch.Sun Burn: When a live tissue is overexposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, the condition is known as a sunburn. Sunburn is characterized by red skin that feels very hot and sensitive to touch. Extreme sunburn can cause mild dizziness. Prolonged overexposure to the sun's rays can become a cause of non-malignant skin tumors.Herpes: Herpes is a viral disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. The infection is further classified depending upon the site of infection; oral herpes, genital herpes, ocular herpes, cerebral herpes, etc. It is an easily transmissible infection through contact of body fluid, or during asymptomatic shedding.Acne: Acne is an inflammatory skin condition caused by changes in the oil glands, clogged pores and bacteria. Acne mostly develops in locations where there is a dense population of sebaceous follicles like the face, neck, chest, back and the bottom. When acne develops a very deep blockage with a formation of a stubborn pustule, it results in cysts.
