The Integumentary

System

Prepared by Mickelder Kercy, MD - Instructor

Functions of the Integumentary system

Protection : Against pathogens (bacteria, viruses etc.),

pollution, chemical products and the sun’s ultraviolet

rays (melanin). Of the bones’ strength by producing

Vit D

Regulation : Body temperature control

Sensation : To pressure, traction, heat, cold, pain etc.

Secretion : - Sweat by the Apocrine sweat glands

close to the hair follicles in axillary, inguinal and anal

regions and the Eccrine/Merocrine sweat glands in

the skin all over the body)

- Sebum/oil by the sebaceous glands

Structure of the Skin

Epidermis : - Stratum Corneum (outermost layer with dead cells filled with keratin that hardens the skin). Cells shed every 7 days

- Stratum Lucidum, Stratum Granulosum,

Stratum Spinosum

- Stratum Germinativum (deepest layers with

cells capable of mitosis and melanocytes producing melanin)

Basal Membrane : Below the epidermis

Dermis : Connective tissue with nerve endings, blood vessels, sebaceous and sweat glands, hair follicles and lymph vessels

Hypodermis/Subcutaneous : Support, nourish,

insulate and cushion the skin

Accessory Structures of the Skin

Hair : Shaft/visible portion, Root within the follicle and

the pilomotor muscle attached to the follicle. Protect the

eyes, ears and nose (foreign particles)

Sebaceous Glands : Sebum(oil) waterproofs, lubricates &

protects the hair and skin

Sudoriferous glands :

Also called sweat glands

producing perspiration

Nails : Epidermis with hard keratin. Nail Body,

Lunula, Nail Bed, Nail Root, Nail Matrix

1st degree burn : Epidermis (redness, edema and

sometimes pain)

2nd degree burn : Epidermis + part of the Dermis

(redness, edema and severe pain)

3rd degree burn : Epidermis and whole Dermis

(painless, white/brown/black/red color)

Common Skin Signs

Macule : Small flat lesion

Patch : Large macule

Wheal : Localized swelling due to an allergic reaction

or provoked when tested for Tuberculosis

Papule : Solid round bump

Nodule : Large papule

Vesicle : Fluid filled sac

Pustules : Pus filled sac

Erosion/Ulcer : Breakdown of the outer layers of the

skin

Crust : Dry, serous or seropurulent exudate

Scale : Excess dead skin cells

Fissure : Cleavage or crack-like sore

Sunburn : Red, painful skin that feels hot to the touch

that appears within a few hours after sun exposure

Basal Cell Carcinoma : Pearly lesion showing

telangiectasias and a depressed center. This lesion

rarely metastasizes but can cause significant

destruction and disfigurement by invading

surrounding tissues

Squamous Cell Carcinoma : Scaly or crusted

cancerous lesion of the skin

Melanoma : Uncontrollable growth of melanocytes

that can spread to other organs

Acne Vulgaris : Due to the oil and dead skin cells

clogging the skin’s pores

Alopecia : Male Baldness/Androgenic Alopecia or

loss of hair

Alopecia Areata : Patches of baldness

Traction Alopecia

Cellulitis : Inflammation of the cells in the skin

caused by bacterial infection

Callus : Area of thickened skin with no identifiable

border

Corn : Area of thickened skin with a distinct border

Decubitus Ulcer/Pressure sore/bedsores : Area of the

skin and tissue that breaks down due to constant pressure

decreasing the blood supply to the area

Stage I

Stage II

Stage III

Stage IV

Eczema/Atopic Dermatitis : Chronic skin condition

caused by an allergic type reaction

Furuncles/Boil : Abscess of a hair follicle and the

adjacent subcutaneous tissue

Carbuncles : Collection of furuncles

Folliculitis : Infection or inflammation of the hair

follicle

Herpes Simplex : Lesions such as fever blisters

affecting the lips, mouth and the genitals caused by

HSV-1 and HSV-2

Herpes Zoster/Shingles : Painful rash on one side of

the body caused by the varicella zoster virus which

also causes chickenpox.

Hirsutism : Thick abnormal hair growth affecting

mostly women in areas of the skin typically found in

men

Impetigo : Highly contagious skin infection mostly

in infants and children

Keloids/Hypertrophic scar : Post surgery or injury

Pediculus Humanus Capitis/Head Louse

Lice Infection

Eyelashes

Pediculus Corporis

Pthirus Pubis/Pubic Louse

Psoriasis : Redness, itching and thick dry scales on

the skin

Rosacea : Redness on the cheeks, nose chin and

forehead

Scabies : Itching and red rash caused by the highly

contagious scabies

Seborrheic dermatitis : Inflammation of the sebaceous

glands caused by an increase in sebum

Fungal Infections

Tinea Capitis

Tinea Corporis/Ringworm

Cruris/Jock itch

Tinea Pedis/Athlete’s foot

Urticaria/Hives : Severe itching and sometimes

pharyngeal airway obstruction due to an allergic

reaction

Vitiligo/Leukoderma : White patches due to

decreased pigmentation in the skin

Warts/Verrucae : Caused by the HPV viruses

The End