The Integumentary System

the integumentary system

a body system comprised of the skin and its associated organs

skin

What is the body’s largest organ?

excretion

elimination of metabolic waste from the body

homeostasis

the constant maintenance of the internal environment

sebaceous glands

glands in the dermis that secrete sebum onto hair emerging from the hair follicle

sudoriferous glands

glands that produce sweat

ceruminous glands

glands that produce earwax

hair follicles

tubes emerging from the dermis in which hair grows

apocrine sweat glands

sweat glands that produce a secretion with an odor (possible a sex pheromone for humans)

eccrine sweat glands

sweat glands that secrete sweat primarily for regulation of body temperature

epidermis

the outer layer of the skin; contains dead cells on the outside and living cells on the inside

dermis

the middle layer of the skin; contains collagen, blood vessels, glands, hair follicles, and nerve endings

hypodermis

the inner/deepest layer of the skin

melanocytes

cells in the epidermis that produce melanin (skin pigment) to protect the body from UV radiation

nails

projections made from skin cells that protect the tips of fingers and toes

vitamin D

produced by the skin when in contact with UV light

sweat

perspiration excreted by the sweat glands through the skin; can contain trace amounts of urea, lactic acid, and alcohol

dilate

What do the blood vessels of the body do when the temperature is too hot?

constrict

What do the blood vessels of the body do when the temperature is too cold?