Although the integumentary system is the largest organ of the human body, it is often overlooked. It has many essential functions in protecting the body. In your initial post:
- Discuss a minimum of three functions of the integumentary system.
- Explain the location, composition, and special features of the three layers of skin.
- Explain the importance of the function of sweat and sebaceous glands and the difference between apocrine and eccrine glands.
Use two scholarly sources (one may be your course text) to support your initial response. All sources must be referenced and cited according to APA guidelines as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.
Guided Response: Respond to two peers. Each peer response should be at least 100 words in length and supported by one scholarly source. In each reply, choose one of the integumentary functions discussed by your peer and explain how this function aids in the prevention or healing of a specific skin condition. Please choose a different function and skin condition for each peer reply.
Remember, you need to discuss and explain your responses. A list is not enough.
Three functions of the integumentary system:
1.
2.
3.
Our integumentary system contains three layers of skin.
The location of each layer of skin is as follows:
The composition (or make up) of each layer of skin includes:
The special features of each of the three layers of skin include:
The function of sweat and sebaceous glands is very important because they
The apocrine and eccrine glands are different in that
References (be sure to include 2 scholarly sources with corresponding citations within the written material)
Add citations of your sourced information above. Add references at the end of your work. If you need assistance, please see the Introduction to APA page in the AU Writing Center.
Thomas Lyons
Aug 12, 2020 at 2:24 PM
- Discuss a minimum of three functions of the integumentary system.
The integumentary system protects you from an invasion of disease-producing pathogens. The integumentary system helps keep the body from drying out, provides a natural sunscreen, and acts as storage for fatty tissue necessary for energy. Importantly, with the aid of some sunshine, the integumentary system produces vitamin D (needed to help your body utilize phosphorus and calcium for proper bone and tooth formation and growth). Finally, the skin provides sensory input (pleasant and unpleasant sensations involving pressure and temperature, for example) to your brain and helps regulate your body temperature. (Colbert, et al., 2013).
- Explain the location, composition, and special features of the three layers of skin.
The integumentary system includes the skin, hair, nails and all associated glands, so essentially it is located around your whole body. The three layers of skin are the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fascia, or the hypodermis layer. The epidermis is the visible skin we see and is made up of smaller layers of stratified squamous epithelium. The epidermis contains no nerve cells and the cells on the epidermis layer constantly shed and are replaced by new cells. The dermis is the layer right below the epidermis. This layer contains blood vessels, elastic fibers, involuntary muscles, nerve endings, lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands (Sudoriferous), and oil glands (Sebaceous). (Colbert, et al., 2013). The primary function of the dermis is to cushion the body from stress and strain, and to also provide: elasticity to the skin, a sense of touch, and heat. (Libretexts, 2020). The hypodermis, or subcutaneous fascia is the innermost layer of skin. The hypodermis is composed of fat cells, blood vessels, sebaceous glands, nerve endings and the hair follicle roots. It’s also made up of fat and connective tissues, that house larger blood vessels and nerves, and it acts as an insulator to help regulate body temperature. (Brannon, 2020).
- Explain the importance of the function of sweat and sebaceous glands and the difference between apocrine and eccrine glands.
The Sudoriferous gland (sweat) can be apocrine, such as those found in the armpits and the groin area, to help contribute to body odor (along with the bacteria on our skin). The eccrine glands, which are found all over the body, help regulate our body temperature through the process of evaporation. The sebaceous glands found in the dermis secrete a substance called sebum that helps to lubricate and protect our skin from drying out. (Libretexts, 2020).
Resources
Brannon, H. L. (n.d.). This Layer of Skin Is Key for Protecting and Insulating the Body. from https://www.verywellhealth.com/subcutaneous-tissue…
Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology, & disease: An interactive journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: MA. Pearson Education.
Libretexts. (2020, July 14). 5.1C: Structure of the Skin: Dermis. from https://med.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Anatomy_and…
Dakota James
Aug 12, 2020 at 7:02 PM
The three functions of the integumentary system are to protect the body, retain bodily fluids, and prevent diseases.
Our integumentary system contains three layers of skin. The first layer of skin is the epidermis, or the layer of skin we see on each other. This layer of skin is avascular and contains no nerve cells and continually sheds and replaces itself (Colbert et al., 2013). The next layer of skin is the dermis; located directly below our outermost layer of skin. The dermis consists of dense, irregular connective tissues that contain blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles and much more (Colbert et al., 2013). The final layer of skin is known as subcutaneous fascia, or the hypodermis, and is the innermost layer of skin on the human body. This layer of skin contains fat cells that provide padding to protect inner organs, energy storage, and provides insulation to assist with body temperature regulation (Colbert et al., 2013).
The location of each layer of skin is as follows: Firstly, the outermost layer of skin is the epidermis. Our middle layer of skin is the dermis. Finally, the innermost layer of skin is the hypodermis.
The composition (or make up) of each layer of skin includes: Melanocytes and keratin filled stratum corneum for the epidermis. Capillaries, collagenous and elastic fibers, muscles, nerve endings, lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat and oil glands within the dermis (Colbert et al., 2013). Lipocytes make up our innermost layer of skin, the hypodermis.
The special features of each of the three layers of skin include: The regeneration of skin cells in the epidermis caused by the stratum basale; additionally pigmentation of skin through melanocytes and carotene are featured in this layer (Colbert et al., 2013). The dermis contains the vital parts of the integumentary system that allow blood flow, movement, hair growth, sweat and oil glands, as well as the ability to grow hair (Colbert et al., 2013). The hypodermis provides protection for organs, stores energy, and regulates body temperature.
The function of sweat and sebaceous glands is very important because they serve a thermoregulatory function via evaporative heat loss in an attempt to regulate body temperature (Hodge, 2019).
The apocrine and eccrine glands are different in that eccrine glands serve as the primary regulator of body temperature while apocrine sweat glands are brought on through puberty.
References
Hodge, B. (2019, April 05). Anatomy, Skin Sweat Glands. Retrieved August 12, 2020, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482278/
Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee. K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology, & disease: An interactive journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Boston: MA. Pearson Education.
Shannon Wight
Aug 12, 2020 at 10:15 PM
Three functions of the integumentary system:
- Protection
- Sensory function
- Thermoregulation
Our skin provide protection from the elements of nature such as, wind, water, UV sunlight acting as chemical, physical, and biological barrier The skin can act as a sensory organ due the root hair plexus surrounding the base of the follicles can sense a disturbance then transmits a signal to the central nervous system. Furthermore, the three layers consist of specialized nerve structures that detect touch, surface, temperature, and painful stimuli. Lastly, thermoregulation is constantly regulating our body temperature through the sympathetic nervous system via our flight-or-fight responses (Biga et al., n.d.). Another component of temperature regulation is the changes in the size of blood vessels in the skin. When the body temperature rises it causes the blood vessels to get larger in a process called vasodilation (Colbert et al., 2013, p. 8.5).
Our integumentary system contains three layers of skin which include, the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (Biga et al., n.d.).
The location of each layer of skin is as follows:
The epidermis is the outer layer of the skin, the dermis is the “core” located in the middle and the hypodermis layer is located at the very bottom (Biga et al., n.d.).
The composition (or make up) of each layer of skin includes:
The epidermis consists of keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium; the layers of the epidermis from superficial to deep include, stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale. The dermis is the “core” and it contains two layers, papillary and reticular. Within those layers there are blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sweat glands. Lastly, the hypodermis aka subcutaneous layer consists of vascularized, loose, areolar connective tissue, and adipose tissue (Biga et al., n.d.).
The special features of each of the three layers of skin include:
The epidermis consists of 5 layers and each layer serves a specific function. The stratum corneum is the most superficial layer and is exposed to the outer environment. The 15 to 30 layers of cells in this layer assists in the impeded penetration of microbes and dehydration of underlying tissues. It also aids in mechanical protection against abrasion for the more delicate layers underneath. The next layer is the stratum lucidum and be found on the palms, soles, and fingers this layer provides a barrier against water. The stratum granulosum generates a large amount of proteins, keratin. Keratin aids in hair, nail, and skin strength and acts as a water repellant. The stratum spinosum is composed of 8-10 layers of keratinocytes and dispersed among these layers are a dendritic cell, Langerhans that function as macrophages by engulfing foreign particles, bacteria, and damaged cells within this particular layer. The dermis serves as an anchor for the epidermis above and the hypodermis below and consists of two layers, papillary and reticular. The papillary layer contains phagocytes that ward of bacteria or infections that invade the skin, it also includes lymph capillaries, nerve fibers, and Messner corpuscles that serve as touch receptors. The reticular layer includes elastin fibers that provide skin elasticity and facilitate movement. Lastly, the hypodermis connects skin to the underlying fascia that surrounds the muscles. This layer provides insulation, cushion, and stores fat (Biga et al., n.d.).
The function of sweat and sebaceous glands is very important because they… The sweat glands aka sudoriferous glands produce sweat to cool the body and sebaceous glands is an oil gland found throughout the body to waterproof and lubricate the skin and hair (Biga et al., n.d.).
The apocrine and eccrine glands are different in that…
The apocrine sweat glands are much larger than eccrine glands and lie deep within the dermis. Apocrine sweat glands correlate to hair follicles in areas, such as the armpits and genital regions. The eccrine glands are found throughout the skins surface, but are abundant on the palms, soles of the feet, and forehead. These glands produce a hypotonic sweat for thermoregulation and homeostasis (Biga et al., n.d.).
References
Biga, L. M., Dawson, S., Harwell, A., Hopkins, R., Kaufmann, J., LeMaster, M., … Runyeon, J. (n.d.). 5.1 Layers of the Skin. https://open.oregonstate.education/aandp/chapter/5-1-layers-of-the-skin/.
Colbert, B. J., Ankney, J., & Lee, K. T. (2013). Anatomy, physiology & disease: An interactive journey for health professionals (2nd ed.). Pearson Education, Inc. https://content.ashford.edu/books/Colbert.3997.17.1
0 comments