Integumentary System by Tess Dyott

Components

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 20:59:06 UTC

Skin: the largest organ of the body system, which provides a barrier for protection. The barrier can be thin or thick depending on the area of the body, but all having the same properties such as secretions for toxins from the external and internal environment (oil, sweat, water, salt).

Hair: protecting the scalp against heat and other external factors that can effect the scalp that can cause injury. The hair also can capture heat, to eliminate heat loss.

Nails: providing a smaller barrier for fingers and toes to protect against external environmental factors that can cause infection/injury.

Glands: that can secrete and store important nutrients for the body to maintain homeostasis such as oils, water, vitamins and minerals.

Purpose

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 21:32:43 UTC

The purpose of the integumentary system is to form a physical barrier between the external and internal environment. This system also regulates body temperature, cell fluid maintenance, and synthesis of vitamin D; the components of the integumentary system all come together to be able to carry out these functions. Serving as a barrier for protection against internal and external environmental factors, also infections/injury.

Protection of this system includes physical barriers such as the skin, as well as UV protection from the skin. Temperature regulation, which is controlled by the skin by secretions of oils and sweat. This helps maintain body homeostasis.

The skin may also secrete water and salt via sweat to help eliminate toxins/waste products.

Nails help protect the fingers and toes from injury from the environment by creating a barrier, just like the skin.

Hair protects the head from heat, and can also trap air to prevent heat loss.

Diseases/disorders

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 21:35:42 UTC

Psoriasis- a chronic skin disorder that is associated with scaly, itchy patches of the skin and areas such as the scalp, knees or elbows.

Vitiligo- loss of pigment in patches of the skin

Impetigo- a contagious bacterial infection causing blister-like sores

Basal cell carcinoma- most common source of skin cancer

Diagnostic Tests

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 21:38:19 UTC

Skin biopsies: taking a small sample of a body tissue so it can be examined under a microscope for diagnosis of skin disorders/conditions

Surgical Intervention

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 21:40:07 UTC

Skin grafting- transplantation of healthy skin from one part of the body to another to repair damaged or missing skin, usually used for burns or tumors.

Quiz

tessdyott — 2025-05-07 21:52:46 UTC

What does the root word “melan/o” signify in medical terminology?

A) White
B) Red
C) Black
D) Yellow
The suffix ”-itis” in medical terms denotes:

A) Tumor
B) Inflammation
C) Condition
D) Removal
Which term describes a benign tumor composed of fatty tissue?

A) Carcinoma
B) Lipoma
C) Melanoma
D) Sarcoma