INTEGUMENTARY Skin Color

Melanin – pigments responsible for skin, hair, eye color

SYSTEM Melanin pigments – yellow (Caucasian), brown (Asians),
black (African)
▪ It consists of the skin, and accessory structures such
Melanocytes – produce melanin; irregularly shaped cells; s.
as hair, glands, and nails. basale
Functions of the Integumentary S. (PSVTE) Melanosomes – vesicles derived from GA where melanin
1. Protection is produced
2. Sensation
3. Vitamin D production Factors of Melanin Production
4. Temperature regulation a. Genetic factors
5. Excretion b. Exposure to UV light
c. Hormones
Skin
Epidermis Albinism - recessive genetic trait that causes deficiency /
▪ Most superficial layer absence of melanin

▪ Stratified squamous epithelium Cyanosis - bluish skin color; decreased blood O2

▪ In deepest layers, mitosis occurs Carotene – yellow pigment in plants (squash, carrots);
source of vitamin A
Keratinization – cells change shape and chemical
composition; cells become filed with the protein keratin Birthmarks – congenital disorder of the capillaries in the
(hard) dermis
– transformation of the living cells
of the stratum basale into the dead squamous cells of the Subcutaneous Tissue
stratum corneum
▪ Attaches the skin to underlying bones
Stratum basale – deepest; cuboidal & columnar cells, ▪ Also called the hypodermis
undergo mitosis every 19 days
▪ Loose connective tissue
Stratum corneum – most superficial stratum; dead
▪ Storage of our body’s fat (padding, insulation)
squamous cells filled with keratin (structural strength);
lipids (prevent fluid loss); joined by desmosomes
Accessory Skin Structure
Callus – thickened area Hair
▪ Columns of dead, keratinized epithelial cells ▪
Corn – bony prominence, thickened corn shaped structure
Produced in the hair bulb
Dermis
Hair follicle – where each hair rises
▪ Dense collagenous connective tissue, contains Shaft – above the skin
fibroblasts, adipocytes, macrophages Root – below the skin
▪ Nerves, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands, Hair bulb – site of hair cell formation
lymphatic vessels Cortex – hard keratin
Medulla – soft central core
Collagen (resist stretching) & elastic fibers – structural Cuticle – single layer of overlapping cells that holds the
strength hair in the hair follicle

Cleavage lines/Tension lines – collagen fibers are oriented Growth Stage

in some directions; skin is most resistant to stretch along
▪ Hair is formed by epithelial cells within the hair bulb
these lines
▪ Divide and undergo keratinization
Stretch marks – skin is overstretched, leaving lines that are
visible ▪ Hair root + shaft = columns of dead keratinized
epithelial cells
Dermal papillae – contain blood vessels that supply the
epidermis with nutrients, remove waste products, and Resting Stage
regulate body temperature ▪ Growth stops
 ▪ Hair is held in the hair follicle Eyelashes – grow for about 30 days; rest for 105 days

Scalp hairs – grow for 3 years; rest for 1 – 2 years

Next growth stage
▪ A new hair is formed Arrector Pili – smooth muscles; contraction = hair to stand
on end; produces goose bumps
▪ The old hair falls out

Morano, M. A.
Glands matrix visible through the nail body
I. Sebaceous Glands
Physiology of the Integumentary S.
▪ Simple, branched acinar glands
1. Protection
▪ Connected by a duct to the superficial part of the ▪ Reducing water loss
hair follicle
▪ Prevents microorganisms from entering the body
▪ Sebum – oily, white substance rich in lipids;
released by holocrine secretion; lubricates the ▪ Protects underlying structures against abrasion ▪
hair/surface of the skin (prevents drying and Hair on head = insulator
protects against bacteria)
▪ Eyebrows = keep sweat out of the eyes
II. Sweat Glands ▪ Eyelashes = protects the eyes from foreign objects
a. Eccrine Sweat Glands
▪ Hair in the nose, ears = prevents the entry of dust
⮚ Simple, coiled, tubular glands
▪ Nails = protect the ends of the fingers, toes from
⮚ Release sweat by melocrine damage; can be used in defense
secretion
2. Sensation
⮚ Numerous in the palms and soles
b. Apocrine Sweat Glands ▪ Sensory receptors for pain, touch, hot, cold, pressure

⮚ Simple, coiled, tubular glands 3. Vitamin D Production

⮚ Produce a think secretion rich in ▪ Skin exposed to UV light produces cholecalciferol
organic substances (modified in the liver, then in the kidneys to
produce active vitamin D)
⮚ Released primary by melocrine
secretion; some glands demonstrate ▪ Best sources of Vit. D = fatty fish, vit. D fortified
holocrine secretion milk

⮚ Open into hair follicles, in armpits ▪ Small amounts of Vit D = eggs, butter, liver ▪ Active
Vit. D stimulates the small intestine to absorb calcium
and genitalia
and phosphate (normal bone growth, normal muscle
⮚ Become active at puberty function)

III. Other Glands 4. Temperature Regulation

a. Ceruminous glands – cerumen (earwax) b. ▪ Normal body temp. = 37oC (98.6 oF)
Mammary glands – milk
▪ Rate of chemical rxns within the body can increased
Nails
of decreased based on the body temp. ▪ Factors that
▪ Dead stratum corneum cells raise body temperature
▪ Contain a very hard type of keratin ⮚ Exercise

⮚ Fever
Nail body – visible part of the nail
Nail root – part of the nail covered by skin ⮚ Increase in environmental
Cuticle – eponychium; s. corneum that extends onto the
temperature
nail body
Nail matrix – produces the nail ▪ The skin controls heat loss from the body through
Nail bed – contributes to nail formation dilation and constriction of blood vessels
Lunula – white, crescent-shaped area; part of the nail ▪ Sweat glands produce sweat, which evaporates and
 lowers body temperature Scarlet fever causes reddish rash, allergic reaction to food
or drugs can develop rashes
▪ Heat is lost by radiation (infrared energy),
convection (air movement), conduction (direct Vitamin A Deficiency – excess keratin; sandpaper texture
contact) characteristic

5. Excretion Iron Deficiency Anemia – nails become flat or concave

▪ Skin glands remove water and salt
Lead Poisoning – high levels of lead in the hair
▪ Also removes small amounts of urea, uric acid,
ammonia Burns
Burn – injury to a tissue caused by heat, cold, friction,
Integumentary S. as a Diagnostic Aid chemicals, electricity, and radiation
Cyanosis – bluish color to the skin caused by decreased
blod O2 content I. Partial-thickness Burns

Jaundice – yellowish skin color caused by liver damage ▪ S. basale remains viable;
(viral hepatitis)
▪ Regeneration of the epidermis occurs within the
burn area
Rashes & lesions - symptoms of problems elsewhere; e.g.

Morano, M. A.
a. First-degree burns been destroyed)
⮚ Epidermis ⮚ White, tan, brown, black, deep

⮚ Red and painful cherry red

⮚ Take a long time to heal
⮚ Slight edema (swelling)
⮚ Form scar tissue
b. Second-degree burns
⮚ Skin grafts are used to prevent
⮚ Epidermis, dermis
complications and to speed healing
⮚ Epidermis regenerates from the
Skin Cancer
epithelial tissue
▪ Most common type of cancer
⮚ Dermal damage is minimal;
▪ Exposure to UV light from the sun
❖ Redness, pain, edema, blisters
▪ Usually on face, neck, hands
❖ Healing = 2 weeks
▪ Most like to have skin cancer = fair skinned or older
❖ No scarring
than 50
⮚ Deep into the dermis
▪ Limiting exposure to sun, using sunscreen; reduces
❖ Red, tan, or white the likelihood of developing skin cancer ▪ Ultraviolet
❖ Takes several months to heal light

❖ Might scar ⮚ UVA

❖ Longer wavelength
II. Full-thickness Burns
a. Third-degree burns ❖ Causes most tanning of the skin

⮚ Epidermis, dermis, and underlying ❖ Development of malignant

tissues are completely destroyed melanoma
⮚ Recovery occurs from the edges of
⮚ UVB
the burn wound
⮚ Region of the 3rd degree burn is ❖ Most burning of the skin
painless (sensory receptors have ❖ Development of basal cell and
 squamous cell carcinoma ▪ Often fatal

I. Basal cell carcinoma

FX of Aging on the Integumentary S.
▪ Most frequent type
▪ Epidermis thins
▪ S. basale and extends into the dermis to produce an
▪ Amount of collagen in the dermis decreases ▪
open ulcer
Skin infections are most likely
▪ Cure; surgical removal or radiation therapy ▪
▪ Repair of skin occurs slower
Little danger of cancer to spread, metastasize
II. Squamous cell carcinoma ▪ Decrease no. of elastic fibers in the dermis and loss of
fat (sagging of skin, wrinkles)
▪ Immediately superficial to the s. basale
▪ Decrease of activity of sweat glands = reduced ability
▪ Cells continue to divide as they produce keratin =
to regulate body temp.
nodular, keratinized tumor confined to the
epidermis ▪ Decrease sebaceous gland activity = skin becomes
drier
▪ Can invade the dermis, metastasize, and cause death
▪ Decrease no. of melanocytes
III. Malignant melanoma
▪ Some areas, the no. of melanocytes increase = age
▪ Rare form of skin cancer that arises from spots
melanocytes; usually from a pre-existing mole ▪ Mole ▪ Increased melanin production = freckles; also,
– an aggregation or nest of melanocytes ▪ Large, flat, gray/white hair
spreading lesion or deeply pigmented nodule ▪ Skin that is exposed to sunlight = shows signs of
aging more rapidly
▪ Metastasis is common

Morano, M. A.