CQRG's Winter Medical Terminology Boot Camp
DAY 5 / INTRODUCTION TO THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Welcome to Day 5!
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The Integumentary System
The skin (or, “integument”) and its accessory structures are the largest organ system in the body.
Integument, is a term that refers to something that encloses or covers. Its origin is from the Latin word integumentum (integere = to cover).
The first documented use of the term was around 1611.
The integumentary system acts as a physical barrier between the external and internal environments. Its primary role is to protect and maintain the body.
The integumentary system includes the:
epidermis,
dermis,
hypodermis,
associated glands,
hair, and
nails.
Apart from its protective function, the skin also functions to regulate body temperature, maintain cell fluid balance, participate in Vitamin D synthesis, and detect stimuli.
Anatomy
The skin is composed of multiple layers of skin cells and tissues.
These layers are attached to underlying structures through connective tissue. The deeper layer of the skin is well-vascularized.
Key term: vascularized
referring to formation of vessels, especially blood vessels
The skin is also home to numerous sensory autonomic and sympathetic nerve fibers that allow for communication between the skin and the brain. It is made up of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis.
Below the dermis is a subcutaneous layer called hypodermis.
Squamous type epithelium that is stratified (layers) and keratinized makes up the epidermis. Note the layers in the picture. Depending on where in the body it is located, it is composed of four or five layers of epithelial cells. It lacks blood vessels.
Key term: stratified
Arranged or disposed in layers; or strata
The dermis contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, like hair follicles and sweat glands. It is composed of two layers of connective tissue.
Key term: connective tissue
One of the four primary types of animal tissue, along with epithelial, muscle, and nervous tissue. Connective tissue is part a group of tissues that connect, support, and surround other tissues and organs
The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, is what connects the skin to the underlying fascia of muscles and bones. It can be challenging to distinguish between the hypodermis and dermis, as the layer is not strictly a part of the skin. Well-vascularized, loose areolar connective and adipose tissue serve as a means of storing fat and offer insulation and cushioning.
Physiology
The skin and its accompanying structures carry out a range of vital tasks.
These tasks include safeguarding the body against the intrusion of germs, chemicals, and other external elements. It also plays a crucial role in preventing dehydration, acting as a sensory organ, regulating body temperature and electrolyte balance, and producing vitamin D.
Sweat secreted from specialized glands works to deter microbial over-colonization. Dermcidin in the sweat is released unto the skin surface. This antimicrobial peptide has broad-spectrum antibiotic properties.
Sensory organ functions in the integument are related to the presence of specialized sensory nerve structures present in the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. These structures are responsible for detecting touch, surface temperature, and pain.
Additionally, the hypodermis plays significant roles in storing fats, protecting underlying structures, and offering insulation against low temperatures.
Clinicians should examine a patient’s hair, nails, and skin during their initial assessment. This evaluation helps the provider develop an overall sense of the integrity of a system integral to well-being.
Always keep in mind that the integumentary system is vital to numerous processes that function to safeguard and maintain patient health.
Recommended Reading (Optional)
Textbook
Medical Terminology for Healthcare Professions, Katherine Greene and Andrea Nelson
Read Chapter 5
Available Online: https://pressbooks.uwf.edu/medicalterminology/
