Integumentary System
Introduction
The integumentary system is the other name for the skin, it’s the largest organ in the body. Unlike other organs, this is an organ system that protects the internal body parts from damage, dehydration, decay as well as other many functions. It has many roles in the body and is the first line of defense against external agents. The integumentary system makes up 15 percent of the body weight in nay human being.
Structure
The integumentary system is made up of the skin, skin derivatives, glands and nails. Components of the skin include sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, lymph vessels and nails. The skin is made up of a layer of epithelial tissue also known as the epidermis which under it is the connective tissues also known as the dermis and below it is the subcutaneous layer also referred to as the hypodermis or subcutis.
The epidermis which is the outmost layer of the skin is made up of squamous cells. It is characterized by two distinct types the thick and thin skin. The dermis on the other hand is the thickest layer of the skin that is beneath the epidermis and helps insulate the body and cushion the internal organs. The hypodermis is the deepest lying part of the skin and helps in insulation of the body as well as protects the internal organs.
Functions
The integumentary system has very many functions which are mostly protective and regulations functions. The skin protects the body’s organs and internal living tissues. It protects against infections and pathogens. The integumentary system protects our bodies from dehydration as well as against abrupt changes in temperature. The skin is also an excretion organ and helps in disposal of waste materials and cleansing the body. It acts as the receptor and point of some of senses such as pressure, cold, heat and touch. The skin also acts as storage for fat and water.
The integumentary system is also the production of Vitamin D using UV sunlight and precursor molecule that
The integumentary system is the other name for the skin, it’s the largest organ in the body. Unlike other organs, this is an organ system that protects the internal body parts from damage, dehydration, decay as well as other many functions. It has many roles in the body and is the first line of defense against external agents. The integumentary system makes up 15 percent of the body weight in nay human being.
Structure
The integumentary system is made up of the skin, skin derivatives, glands and nails. Components of the skin include sweat glands, oil glands, blood vessels, nerves, muscles, lymph vessels and nails. The skin is made up of a layer of epithelial tissue also known as the epidermis which under it is the connective tissues also known as the dermis and below it is the subcutaneous layer also referred to as the hypodermis or subcutis.
The epidermis which is the outmost layer of the skin is made up of squamous cells. It is characterized by two distinct types the thick and thin skin. The dermis on the other hand is the thickest layer of the skin that is beneath the epidermis and helps insulate the body and cushion the internal organs. The hypodermis is the deepest lying part of the skin and helps in insulation of the body as well as protects the internal organs.
Functions
The integumentary system has very many functions which are mostly protective and regulations functions. The skin protects the body’s organs and internal living tissues. It protects against infections and pathogens. The integumentary system protects our bodies from dehydration as well as against abrupt changes in temperature. The skin is also an excretion organ and helps in disposal of waste materials and cleansing the body. It acts as the receptor and point of some of senses such as pressure, cold, heat and touch. The skin also acts as storage for fat and water.
The integumentary system is also the production of Vitamin D using UV sunlight and precursor molecule that