Chapter 15 Lesson 1Integumentary System
Functions of the Skin
• Your skin is the primary organ of your Integumentary system
• This system includes, Skin, Hair, nails, Sebaceous glands, Sweat glands
Functions of the Skin
Skin Provides these vital functions
1. Providing a protective covering for your body- Skin acts as a barrier between your internal organs and the outside world- shields from injury, pathogens, ultraviolet rays- Helps maintain the body’s balanceof fluid and electrolytes
Functions of the Skin
2. Regulating body temperature
- Helps keep body temperature constant
- When body hot, tiny blood vessels enlarge permitting heat to escape (radiation)
-Sweat glands become active, releasing perspiration, which cools the skin, dropping the body temperature
Functions of the Skin
3. Enabling you to sense the world around you
- Skin is a major sense organ that serves as a means of communication with the outside environment
- Nerve endings in your skin are responsive to touch, pain, pressure, and temperature
Structure of the Skin
• Skin Has 2 main layers– Epidermis – The outer, thinner layer of skin– Dermis – The thicker inner layer
Epidermis
• Made up of both living and dead cells• Form a tough protective coating• Epidermis contains a fatty substance called
lipids that makes the skin waterproof• When dead cells shed replaced by new cells• Some cells produce Melanin – Pigment that
gives skin, hair, eyes their color• The more Melanin the greater protection from
the sun and ultraviolet rays that have been connected to cancer
Dermis
• Made up of connective tissue that gives the skin its elasticity
• Nerve endings and hair follicles extend into the dermis
• So do the sweat glands and sebaceous glands
• Below the dermis is tissue called the hypodermis. It is not part of your skin, but it attaches the skin to bone and muscle
Skin Care
Skin Care
• Good personal hygiene land a balanced eating style promote healthy skin
• Daily washing, bathing, or showering slows the growth of bacteria that causes body odor
• Vitamin A helps promote healthy skin
• Milk, egg yolks, liver, green leafy and yellow vegatables and yellow fruits
Problems of the Skin
Ring worm
Ring worm
• Ring worm is a common fungal infection that affects various parts of the body
• It gets its name from the ring shaped, scaly reddened or blistery patches
Athletes foot
Athletes foot
• The same fungus that causes ringworm causes athletes foot
• Fungal infection between the toes
• Associated with wearing shoes and sweating
• Highly contagious
Boils
Boils
• An inflamed, pus filled area of the skin, usually an infected hair follicle
• Cause is Staphylococcus aureus
• Keeping skin clean helps prevent boils
• Never squeeze or burst a boil; this can spread the infection
• Boils can be serious and if large, should be treated by a doctor
Warts
Warts
• Contagious growths on the outer layer of the skin
• Most are painless an harmless, but the virus that causes them can spread to other parts of the body and form more warts
Moles
Moles
• Moles are small, usually round, slightly thickened brown to dark brown spots on the skin
• Usually harmless
• If mole suddenly appears, grows, bleeds, or changes color, shape consult a physician immediately
Psoriasis
Psoriasis
• Skin disease in which thickened paths of inflamed, red skin form, often covered by white, flaking scales
• Should be treated by a physician
• Cause not known but can be a lifetime skin problem if not treated
Vitiligo
Vitiligo
• Disorder in which patches of skin lose their color
• The affected areas are extremely sensitive to sunlight and should be protected
• Believed to be an auto immune disorder that causes an absence of the skin cells that produce melanin
• No cure, but about 30% of cases the color returns on it own
Impetigo
Impetigo
• A streptococcal infection in which bacteria enter a small break in the skin
• This infection is highly contagious
Blisters
Blisters
• Raised area filled with a watery fluid
• They usually result form the skin being rubbed against the inside of your shoe
• Burns may blister also
• Keep it from breaking and leave t heal on its own
Callus
Callus
• Area of thickened skin that forms as a result of regular or continued friction
• Musicians who play stringed instruments often develop calluses on their fingers
• Calluses can be reduced by rubbing them with a porous stone called pumice
Corn
Corn
• Callus on toe caused by the pressure of a tight fitting shoe
• Spongy corn pads can relieve the pressure that makes corns painful
• Wearing shoes that fit properly is the main way to prevent corns
