Integumentary System Overview

The largest organ system in the body, including skin, hair, nails, and glands.

The skin prevents harmful substances and organisms from entering the body.

The skin helps maintain a stable body temperature in different environments.

The outermost layer of the skin, made of epithelial cells and a protective layer of dead cells.

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, containing blood vessels, hair follicles, and glands.

The layer beneath the dermis, mainly fat, connecting skin to underlying structures.

The pigment that determines skin color, also protects from UV rays.

The skin is composed of three layers: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

Melanoma treatment depends on the tumor stage and may include radiotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted cancer therapy.

Factors increasing the chance of melanoma include a family or personal history of melanoma, fair skin, frequent sun exposure, tanning bed use, and many atypical moles.

A contagious fungal infection causing itchy and often painful skin issues on the feet.

Common symptoms include cracked, peeling skin, itching, rash, and a burning sensation on the feet.

Athlete's foot spreads through skin-to-skin contact, contaminated surfaces, and shared spaces like locker rooms and swimming pools.

The most common cancer type, forming in tissues lining organs, passageways, and skin.

Limit sun exposure, avoid tanning beds, use sunscreen, and wear protective clothing, and seek shade when possible to lower risk factors, including sunburn and melanoma.

The subcutaneous layer, found beneath the dermis, functions as a shock absorber, stores energy, and insulates the body.

Tiny grooves called friction ridges on the skin of our hands and feet create the unique patterns we call fingerprints. These ridges enhance grip and provide a unique identifier.

Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin produced by specialized cells called melanocytes. People with fair skin have less melanin in their epidermis, while those with dark skin have more melanin in all layers.

Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels in the skin, allowing for heat release and cooling the body.

Vasoconstriction is the narrowing of blood vessels in the skin, reducing heat loss and conserving body warmth.

The skin functions in thermoregulation through processes like vasodilation (widening blood vessels for heat loss) and vasoconstriction (narrowing blood vessels to conserve heat). Sweating also cools the body through evaporation.

Collagen and elastin are proteins found in the dermis, providing the skin with flexibility and strength. Changes in these proteins can lead to wrinkles as we age.

The subcutaneous tissue, a layer rich in fat, insulates the body, helping to retain heat and prevent heat loss in cold environments.