Unit 2.

1
Parts and Functions of the
Integumentary System
Micah M.Areja
Lorraine V. Tagle
Stan Matthew S. Taylaran
UNIT II Integumentary System
A. Skin and the accessory structures
B. Major functions
C. Characteristics and functions of the different skin
components
D. Structural features of the epidermis
E. Body’s response to injury
Intended Learning Outcomes
1. Review of the basic anatomy of the integumentary system
2. Describing the functions of the components of Integumentary system
3. Explaining the mechanism of scar formation
4. Explaining the pathophysiology of Burn Injuries and Psoriasis
5. Discussing the physiological aspects of skin infections and allergies
6. Identifying common drugs for representative skin disorders
Introduction
❏ Integumentary system include the skin and its accessory
structures including hair, nails and glands, as well as blood
vessels, muscles and nerves

❏ Dermatology is the medical specialty for the diagnosis and

treatment of disorders of the integumentary system
Skin Structure
❏ The skin (cutaneous membrane) covers the body and is the
largest organ of the body by surface area and weight

❏ Its area is about 2 square meters (22 square feet) and weighs
4.5-5kg (10-11lb), about 16% of body weight

❏ It is 0.5-4mm thick, thinnest on the eyelids, thickest on the

heels; the average thickness is 1-2mm
A newborn has a skin surface area three
times greater by volume than does an adult.
 Skin Structure
Consists of two major layers:
❏ epidermis
❏ outer, thinner layer (epithelial tissue)
❏ dermis
❏ inner, thicker layer

Subcutaneous layer aka hypodermis

❏ which attaches the skin to the underlying tissues and
organs
Composition and Structure
❏ The epidermis is composed of keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium
Epidermis
Four major types of cells:
❏ Keratinocytes (90% of the cells) produce keratin which is a tough
fibrous protein that provides protection

❏ Melanocytes: which produce the pigment melanin that protects

against damage by ultraviolet radiation
❏ Langerhans cells: involved in immune responses, arise from
red bone marrow

❏ Merkel cells: which function in the sensation of touch along with

the adjacent tactile discs ; least numerous
 Layers of the Epidermis
❏ Stratum basale (deepest layer) or stratum germinativum,
where continuous cell division occurs which produces all the
other layers
❏ Stratum spinosum, 8-10 layers of keratinocytes
❏ Stratum granulosum, which includes keratohyalin and
lamellar granules
❏ Stratum corneum: composed of many sublayers of flat, dead
keratinocytes called corneocytes or squames that are
continuously shed and replaced by cells from deeper strata;
constant friction can stimulate formation of a callus.
 Thin and Thick Skin
Where friction is
Most regions of the greatest (fingertips,
body: palms, and soles):

have four major have five major

layers (thin skin) layers (thick skin)
stratum basale, stratum basale,
stratum spinosum, stratum spinosum,
stratum granulosum, stratum granulosum,
stratum lucidum,
and a thin stratum corneum
and a thick stratum corneum.
 Epidermis
❏ Stratum lucidum is present only in thick skin (the skin of the
fingertips, palms, and soles)

❏ Keratinization, the accumulation of more and more protective

keratin, occurs as cells move from the deepest layer to the surface
layer

❏ Dandruff - an excess of keratinized cells shed from the scalp

Dermis
is composed of
connective tissue
containing collagen
and elastic fibers
Structural Basis of Skin Color
Variations in skin color arise from variations in the
amounts of three pigments: melanin, carotene(yellow)
and hemoglobin (red)
❏ Melanin - a yellow-red or brown-black pigment
produced by melanocytes (located mostly in the
epidermis, where it absorbs UV radiation).
■ The amount of melanin causes the skin’s color to vary
from pale yellow to red to tan to black
■ The number of melanocytes are about the same in all
people; differences in skin color is due to the amount
of pigment produced
Structural Basis of Skin Color
❏ Carotene - yellow-orange pigment (found in the
stratum corneum, dermis, and subcutaneous layer)

❏ Hemoglobin - red color (located in erythrocytes

flowing through dermal capillaries)
Sun Protection
Jim, a technician working in your pharmacy, asks you to recommend a sunscreen for him to
take to the beach for spring break. He has fair skin and states that he usually gets some
minimal redness on his skin after only 10 minutes in the sun. If you recommend a sun
protection factor (SPF) product of 15 and assume Jim applies this product correctly, for how
long will Jim be able to stay in the sun before he gets the same minimal degree of redness
on his skin as noted above?
A. 30minutes B. 2.5 hours C. 6 hours D. 45minutes E. 1.5 hours

The SPF is the minimal erythema dose (MED) of sunscreen-protected skin divided by the MED of
unprotected skin. An SPF of 15 means that, if the sunscreen is applied properly, the user can stay out
in the sun about 15 times longer to get a minimal redness reaction compared to being in the sun with
unprotected skin (i.e., with no sunscreen application).
 Sun Protection Factor
A sunscreen's effectiveness is typically measured by its sun
protection factor (SPF), which is calculated as the UV energy
needed to create a minimal erythemal dose (MED) on skin that is
protected divided by the UV energy needed to produce a MED
on skin that is not protected.
SPF 15 sunscreen would enable one to stay in the sun without
burning for roughly 150 minutes if skin ordinarily burns after 10
minutes in the sun (a factor of 15 times longer)

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and Applications Volume 8, Issue 2 Mar-Apr 2023, pp: 1151-1156 www.ijprajournal.com ISSN:
2249-7781
https://www.fda.gov/about-fda/center-drug-evaluation-and-research-cder/sun-protection-factor-spf
Abnormalities in Skin Pigmentation

nevus (mole) albinism vitiligo freckles

benign localized inability to produce condition in which there accumulation of
overgrowth of melanin (genetic) is a partial or complete melanocytes in patches
melanocytes loss of melanocytes (genetic)
from patches of skin
(autoimmune; body
attacks melanocytes)
Quick review!
What is the largest organ of the body?

Which part of the body has the

thinnest layer of skin?

Which part of the body has the

thickest layer of skin?
What are the three pigments that affect your
skin color?
 Subcutaneous Layer
Subcutaneous layer (also called
hypodermis) is not part of the skin
but, among its functions, it
attaches the skin to the underlying
tissues and organs;

Functions: insulation, protection

of muscles from physical trauma,
contains blood vessels to supply
the skin

Detects external pressure to the

skin through the lamellated
(pacinian) corpuscles What type of cells are present hypodermis?
Note: The hypodermis is made of
(hypo= below) connective tissue.
Accessory Structures of the Skin:
1. Hair
2. Skin Glands
3. Nails
Hair (Pili)
❏ Composition: columns of ❏ Parts:
dead, keratinized epidermal ● shaft - projects above the
cells surface of the skin
● root - penetrates into the
❏ Functions: dermis
● protection ● hair follicle - surrounds the
● reduction of heat loss roots
● sensing light touch ■ contains sebaceous gland
■ arrector pili (muscle)
■ hair root plexus (nerve)
Arrector Pili Muscle
• contracts under physiological or
emotional stress, such as cold or fright

• pulls the hair shafts perpendicular to

the skin surface

• goose bumps” or “gooseflesh” happen

because the skin around the shaft
forms slight elevations
Alopecia
● Defined as partial or complete lack of hair
● Factors: illness, age, genetics, gender, severe emotional
stress, diet

● Chemotherapeutic agents - interrupt the life cycle of rapidly

dividing cells. Cells in the hair matrix are rapidly dividing -
this is why those undergoing chemotherapy experience
alopecia

*Normal hair loss : 70–100 hairs per day

Skin Glands
1. Sebaceous glands (oil glands) - secrete sebum
2. Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) - secrete sweat
3. Ceruminous glands - secrete earwax
Sebaceous Glands (oil glands)
❏ secrete an oily substance called sebum

❏ Functions:
❏ prevents dehydration of hair and skin
❏ inhibits growth of certain bacteria

❏ may produce acne, if clogged

Summary of Functions of the Skin
1. regulation of body temperature liberating sweat at its surface and
by adjusting the flow of blood in the dermis
2. blood reservoir
3. protection
4. cutaneous sensations
5. excretion and absorption - about 400 mL H2O/day evaporates
a. water-soluble substances: negligible absorption
b. some lipid-soluble materials (steroids, organic solvents):
penetrate the skin
6. synthesis of vitamin D - requires UV rays (10-15 mins 2x a week)
Wound
Healing
 Examples:
Abrasions and Minor Burns
1. Basal cells of the epidermis surrounding the wound break contact with the basement membrane
2. The cells then enlarge and migrate across the wound
3. A hormone called “epidermal growth factor” stimulates cell division to create another layer

growth factor - any of a group of proteins that stimulate

the proliferation of specific tissues
Quick review!
A condition marked by
partial or complete loss of melanocytes

Part of the hypodermis

that detects external pressure

Names of the muscle and nerve ending

found in the hair follicle