Integumentary System Physiology the Integumentary

Integumentary System

Physiology

The integumentary system is made up of the skin, hair, nails, and associated glands. The system protects the body from the external environment and its many harmful materials. The integumentary system is essential in order for the body to maintain homeostasis. The skin provides the first defense that a person's immune system has. The integumentary system works hand in hand with the circulatory system including the surface capillaries. The skin plays a very important role in regards to a person's sense of touch. Not only does it protect us from injury and infection but it holds all of the other organs inside that we need to survive.

The Integumentary System

The integumentary system is made up of the skin, hair, nails, and associated glands. It is the most visible organ of the human body and one also one of the most complex ones. It is different in both form and function. The system protects the body from the external environment and its many harmful materials. It utilizes the sun while at the same time guards the body from any damage. "In addition, the system helps to regulate body temperature, serves as a minor excretory organ, and makes the inner body aware of its outer environment through sensory receptors" (The Integumentary System, 2009). The skin is the biggest organ in the human body and makes up about 7% of a persons body weight (Morse, 2002).

This system is made up of skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves. Its central purpose is to act as a barricade in order to protect the body. It also works to retain body fluids, protect the body against disease, eliminate waste and regulate the body's temperature. To do these things, the integumentary system has to work with all other body systems. Each system has its own function in maintaining the internal conditions that the human body needs in order to work properly. The integumentary system has many functions which include:

Protecting the body's internal tissues and organs

Protecting the body against invasion by infections

Protecting the body from becoming dehydrated

Protecting the body against sudden temperature changes

Helping the body to dispose of waste

Acting as a receptor for senses such as touch, pressure, pain, heat, and cold

Providing storage for water and fat (The Integumentary System, 2008).

The integumentary system is essential in order for the body to maintain homeostasis. It permits the body to maintain an internal balance of its functions regardless of what is going on outside. The system works to protect tissues and internal organs from injury and infection. It also stops the body from loosing fluids. It receives about one-third of the blood that is pumped from the heart every minute and helps to maintain normal body temperature. It also functions as an excretory system by exuding sweat. Many cells within the skin use sunlight to generate vitamin D, which is necessary for bone growth and function. The skin also contains sensory receptors and nerve endings that allow an individual to experience sensations such as touch, pain, pressure, and temperature (The Integumentary System, 2009).

The skin provides the first defense that a person's immune system has. Oil is emitted through tiny glands in the skin in order to increase the barrier functionality. The skin contains immune cells that supply a line of defense against infections. By helping to create and absorb vitamin D, the integumentary system helps the digestive system to support the absorption of calcium from a person's diet. "Healthy functioning of the skin is also related to the digestive system because the digestion and assimilation of dietary fats and oils are essential for the body to be able to make the protective oils for the skin and hair" (The Integumentary System, 2008).

The integumentary system works hand in hand with the circulatory system including the surface capillaries. Due to the fact that it is possible for substances to enter the bloodstream through the capillaries in the skin, medications in the form of patches can be used for conditions ranging from heart problems to smoking cessation. The skin also works to regulate body temperature. If a person gets excessively hot or cold, the brain sends nerve impulses to the skin to remedy the problem in one of three ways. The first remedy is for the hairs on the skin to trap more warmth if they are standing up, and less if they are lying flat. The second remedy is that the glands under the skin secrete sweat onto the surface of the skin in order to increase heat loss by evaporation if the body is too hot. And thirdly the capillaries near the surface can open when the body needs to cool off and close when it needs to conserve heat (The Integumentary System, 2008).

The skin plays a very important role in regards to a person's sense of touch. The nervous system depends on neurons that are embedded in the skin to sense what's happening in the outside world. It processes input from the senses and initiates actions based on those inputs. The integumentary system also contributes to a number of different physiological processes; especially those that are involved in the regulation of the body's internal environment so that it can remain stable (The Integumentary System, 2008).

As people get older many changes take place within the integumentary system. The epidermis gets thinner as basal cells divide less over time. The dermis also thins and its elasticity decreases. This causes the skin to become weak and start to sag and wrinkle. Melanocytes reduce their production of melanin which causes the skin to become pale and hair to turn white. Sebaceous glands also decrease their production of sebum which causes the skin to become dry. The blood flow to the skin is reduced and body temperature is not as well regulated as well. Lastly, the skin begins to take longer to repair itself after injury (The Integumentary System, 2009).

Even though there is no way to avoid the aging process of the skin, there are ways to reduce the effects on it. The loss of elasticity in the skin can be increased sunlight. The skin should always be protected from the Sun by the use of sunscreens and protective clothing. Sunburns are not good for the skin and should be avoided. This also helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer as well. There are many things that contribute to keeping the integumentary system operating at its best. These include having proper nutrition, drinking healthy amounts of quality water, getting adequate rest, exercising regularly and reducing stress. Although hair loss and graying are both controlled by genetics, stress can speed up both conditions. Exercise and relaxation are both things that have been proven to reduce stress. It is important to proper cleanse the skin on a daily basis. Harsh detergents and scrubbing will not make the skin cleaner and in fact can injure the skin and cause excessive drying. It is recommended that the skin be cleaned with gentle soaps followed by the application of a moisturizer to all areas of the body (The Integumentary System, 2009).