Structures of the Integumentary System - Essay Example

? The Integumentary System Introduction As “integument” means covering, the integumentary system providesprotection for body surface and the openings found on the human body. This system has many collective structures, to perform its function properly. As such, system includes mucous membranes, nails, skin and hair, among other parts. Accordingly, many hygiene practices are based on restoring and maintaining the healthy integumentary system. Sometimes the teeth, which form the part of oral cavity, with its mucous membrane, are also taken as part of the system, being the accessory structure, within the collective structures of the integumentary system. The system is known to provide protection to human beings and other mammals through elastic covering on the outer-surface of the body. This covering is cushioned and self-repairing, while providing a water coating to the body surface. Structures of integumentary system The system structure comprises of cutaneous membrane and accessory structures. The cutaneous membrane has several layers, described below. Major layers Broadly, the system comprises of three major layers, hypodermis being the deepest of these layers. The other two are dermis and superficial epidermis. Within the epidermis, tough and fibrous protein Keratin is produced by the Keratinocytes in its upper layers. The system provides for the reproduction of cells to repair upper layers, in case of any damage to them. Dermis layer contains connective tissues, which are elastic in ligaments and comprise of packed collagen fibers. Hypodermis layer provides covering for the skin connected with underlying tissues. It is an adipose tissue that may have carotene deposits. (Structures of Integumentary System, 4.2) Sub layers Stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum are the layers that belong to epidermis, apart from stratum lucidum, stratum corneum and Stratum basale. In Dermis major layer, there is papillary layer which has capillaries for nourishing the pain and touch receptors. The reticular layer has cutaneous blood vessels with larger capillaries. The epocrine are sweat glands, responsible for regulation of body temperature, while secreting fluid when same is high. The free nerve endings act as pain receptors; the meissner’s corpuscles are touch receptors and pacinian corpuscles are deep pressure receptors. (Timby, 358) Hair follicles, nails and exocrine glands belong to accessory structures. Integumentary system—functional organization As the structure of this system suggests, it comprises of skin, mummery glands, sweat and oil, as well as, nails and hair. Skin being an important part of the human anatomy, it tells the medical professionals about any possible internal problems, while providing an overall picture about the health of the person, under clinical investigation. The function of integumentary system includes protection of human body from environmental dangers, regulation of body temperature and synthesis of vitamin D3.The function also includes, among other things, providing sensory information as well as coordination of immune response to skin cancers. As epidermis and dermis form the part of cutaneous membrane, epidermis is responsible for preventing water loss, while controlling skin permeability. Epidermis also functions for detection of touch, pain, pressure and temperature through sensory receptors. While epidermis protects dermis from chemicals and other hazards, the papillary layer of dermis is responsible for nourishing epidermis. The functions of reticular layer of dermis include restricting the spread of pathogens into epidermis. It also helps in detection of touch, pain, pressure and vibration, through sensory receptors.(Lapres, 2009) Accessory structures Within accessory structures of the integumentary system, the hair follicles are responsible for hair production to protect the skull. The hair produced also provides sensitive touch sensation over surface of the body. Exocrine glands, within accessory structures, function for lubricating epidermis, while excreting wastes. The function of nails includes the protection of fingers and tips, while supporting them. There are two glands, within exocrine glands in skin, sebaceous and sweat glands. The sebaceous glands secrete into hair follicles, while sebaceous follicles secrete into surface of skin. The sweat glands are responsible for flushing the epidermis surface and for production of watery solution through merocrine secretion. The function of apocrine sweat glands includes production of viscous secretion that has a complex composition. The body hormones also influence apocrine sweat glands. The mummery glands form part of apocrine glands, which are responsible for milk production. The secretion of waxy cerumin into the external ear canal is done by ceruminous glands. The merocrine sweat glands are widespread and produce thin watery secretions. These glands are mainly controlled by nervous system. They also perform anti-bacterial action, while playing an important part in thermoregulation.(Lapres, 2009) Working of integumentary system with other organ systems Skin, being an important part of the integumentary system, it is responsible in supporting the other tissues, cells and organs of the body, required for proper function of the overall human anatomy. Skin provides the first line of defense against any outside infection, through its immune cells. The secretions of oils through tiny glands of skin remain an important function for the body immune system. Integumentary system absorbs vitamin D, which helps the body digestive system to use the calcium that is available through the daily diet. In turn, digestive system working is related to the welfare of skin tissues, as the fats and oils intake from diet is essential for making the protective oily layers for skin and hair. Skin has also an important part to play with the circulatory system. This can be observed by working of capillary networks in the skin that are responsible for allowing many substances to enter blood stream; which may help in treating heart patients, among others. The regulation of body temperature through integumentary system is related to the function of brain as nerves send impulses to skin, which help in increasing or decreasing the heat loss form surface of the body. The sensory receptors and body nervous system is closely related to each other, as pain, pressure, touch and vibration signals, originating from neurons in skin, are ultimately sent to the brain. Hence, the nervous system depends on such signals from the skin neurons, to initiate the necessary action, after processing these inputs.(Integumentary system) Conclusion The integumentary system, being an important part of the human anatomy, works with other body organ systems. The main function is to protect the human body from outside diseases and infections, while excreting the waste products. The sensory receptors, within this system, perform very important functions; while coordinating with other systems of human body. Works Cited “Integumentary System”, Science Net Links, NAAS, retrieved on April 27 2013 from: http://sciencenetlinks.com/student-teacher-sheets/integumentary-system/ LaPres Jason, “The Integumentary System”, HUMAN ANATOMY, sixth ed. Ch. 4, web, retrieved on April 27 2013 from: http://www.napavalley.edu/people/briddell/Documents/BIO%20218/04_LectureOutline.pdf “Structures of Ingumentary System” , Anatomy and Physiology Resource, 4.2, web, retrieved on April 27 2013 from: http://lyceum.algonquincollege.com/lts/AandPResources/module4-2.htm?sectionID=4 Timby Kuhn, Barbara, “Fundamental Nursing Skills and Concepts” pg 358-62, web, retrieved on April 27 2013 from: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=M4HwH5IxfToC&pg=PA358&dq=integumentary+system&hl=en&sa=X&ei=cYp7UeagCIeHrAeI2YCgBA&ved=0CDQQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=integumentary%20system&f=false Read More