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This website is created and managed by Marcial
Designs 2008.
Last updated: January 30, 2008
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The Integumentary
(Skin) System
The Integumentary System (Elimination) is the skin, which is the largest and most
important organ in the body. It is the first barrier of defense. Its function is
to maintain body temperature and protect the body from bacteria and foreign
substances. Some diseases affect the general skin tone, color, and health. Many
physicians evaluate the skin to determine general health and to diagnose
illness. Healthy skin function as a protective covering for our bodies in
several ways. Because our skin is almost completely waterproof, it prevents the
escape of special fluids that bathe body tissues. Our skin prevents many
bacteria and chemicals form entering parts of our bodies. Firm, moist skin also
protects underlying tissues form the harmful rays of the sun. The skin weight
(in most adults) 20 lbs or more, accounting for about 16% of total body weigh
making it the heaviest organ. Its function is to protect the body. Within these
layers of tissue are cells, glands, blood vessels, and fatty tissue.
The Function and Structure of the Skin
The skin has three layers of tissue:
- The Epidermis - the outermost layer of tissue of covers most parts
of the body. The epidermis has four layers. From the outermost to the
innermost, they are the horny, granular, spinous and basal layers. The horny
layer consists of about 15-40 rows of dying cells. These cells are filled
with a tough, waterproof protein called keratin. The
granular layer consists of one or two rows of dying cells that contain small
grains of a substance called keratohyaline. The spinous layer
is composed of 4-10 rows of living cells that have spine-like projections
where the cells touch one another. The basal layer is also made u of living
cells, including cells called melanocytes. These cells produce
a brown pigment called melanin. The basal cells
divide continually and form daughter cells. Some daughter cells remain in
the basal layer. others move toward the outer surface of the skin and
eventually form the upper layers of the epidermis. These cells are called keratinocytes,
and they produce keratin which is found only in the epidermis, hair and
mails. Keratin makes the skin tough and also prevents fluids and certain
substances from passing through the skin. As the keratinocyetes
move upward through the epidermis, the become filled with more and more
keratin. By the time these cells reach the surface of the skin, they have
died and become flat and dry - eventually they are shed in thin flakes.
- The Dermis - the middle layer tissue is between 15-40 times thicker
than the epidermis. It is made up primarily of blood vessels, nerve endings
and connective tissue. The blood vessels nourish both the dermis and the
epidermis . The surface of the dermis has many tiny elevations called papillae
that fit into pits on the undersurface of the epidermis. They help connect
the dermis to the epidermis. The papillae contain nerve endings that are
sensitive to touch. The nerve endings are specially numerous on the palms
and fingertips.
- Subcutaneous Tissue - is a much thicker than the epidermis and the
dermis. In addition to these layers of tissue, the skin includes hair,
nails, and certain glands. it consists mainly of connective tissue which
helps protect the body form blows and other kinds of injuries. It also helps
retain body heat. The amount of fat in the subcutaneous tissue may increase
after a person overeats. If the body needs extra food energy, it breaks down
this stored fat. The hair and glands in the skin are called Epidermal
Appendages. They are formed form the basal cells of the epidermis.
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Skin Types
- Normal Skin - has n average amount of oil, giving the skin a smooth
appearance. Normal skin does not have acne, and wrinkles usually occur later
in life.
- Oily Skin - has an abundance of oil production giving the skin a
"greasy" or shiny appearance. Oily skin has larger pores,
blemishes, and is prone to acne. Wrinkling is retarded due to the extra
surface oil, which protects the skin from pollutants in the environment.
- Dry Skin - has an average to below average amount of oil, thus
giving the skin a dull appearance (i.e. flaky) . Dry sin is irritated by
hot, dry climates and unprotected exposure to the sun and the
environment.
- Combination Skin - characterized by generalized normal skin with
areas of oiliness. These oily areas are usually on the lower forehead,
nose and sometimes the chin. Fine wrinkles seldom occur until later in life.
- Sensitive Skin - a new term used to describe skin that is allergic
to certain substance (foods, cosmetics, or drugs). Usually the allergic
person knows what products cause the allergic reaction. In cosmetics, many
allergic reactions are caused from fragrances and show up as changes in the
skin (e.g. burning, itching, or red blotches on the skin). In addition some
people who have allergic reaction to certain foods, cosmetics or drugs find
that the sun, coupled with the allergen causes the reaction to be worse.
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"The Paved Highway of Belief through touch and
sight leads straightest into the human heart and the precints of the mind."-
Lucretius
As long as the spirit is strong, the body will follow
for the body is forever the slave of your mind and can be willed to achieve
great feats.
A strong positive mental attitude will create more
miracles than any wonder drug.
Brenda Marcial
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