INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

QUESTION NO 1: Define the term integumentary system.

Answer: INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM

The integumentary system is the set of organs forming the outermost layer of an animal's
body. It comprises the skin and its appendages which serves as a physical barrier between
the external and internal environment of the body.

QUESTION NO 2: Discuss the functions of skin.

Answer: FUNCTIONS OF SKIN

1. PROTECTION: Skin protects the body from mechanical injuries.

• Due to stratum corneum, skin act as barrier against bacterial infections, heat and
cold, wet and drought, acid and alkali
• Langerhans cells phagocytose antigen and take it to T lymphocytes
• Sensory nerve ending starts reflex action against painful stimuli and prevents it from
damage.
• The actinic rays of sun are absorbed by melanocytes
2. SENSORY: skin is sensory to touch pain and temperature
3. REGULATION OF BODY TEMP: heat is lost through the evaporation of sweat. It is
conserved by the fat and hairs.
4. ABSORPTION: Oily substances are easily absorbed by the skin.
5. SECRETION: skin secrete sweat and sebum
6. EXCRETION: the excess of waste product, water and salt are excreted through the
sweat
7. REGULATION OF PH: a good amount of acid is excreted through the sweat
8. SYNTHESIS: In the skin, vit D is synthesized from ergosterol by the action of uv rays
of sun.
9. STORAGE: Skin stores chlorides.
10. WATER BALANCE: skin does not permit water to pass in and out of the skin. Thus, it
maintains the water balance of the body.
 QUESTION NO 3: differentiate between dermis and epidermis

ANSWER: DIFFERENCE BETWEEN EPIDERMIS AND DERMIS

The dermis and epidermis are two layers of skin with distinct structure and functions.

• Epidermis:
I. Epidermis is the superficial layer of stratified squamous epithelium.
II. It is primarily composed of epithelial cells, specifically keratinocytes, which produce the
protein keratin, providing structural integrity to the skin.
III. The epidermis is avascular, meaning it does not contain blood vessels. Instead, it relies
on diffusion from the underlying dermis for nourishment.
IV. It serves as a protective barrier against pathogens, UV radiation, and dehydration.
V. The epidermis contains several layers, including the stratum Basale (basal layer), stratum
spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum (only in thick skin), and stratum corneum
(outermost layer).
VI. The epidermis also contains melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment
responsible for skin color and protection against UV radiation.
VII.
• Dermis:
I. The dermis lies beneath the epidermis and is the thickest layer of the skin.
II. It is composed of connective tissue, including collagen and elastic fibers, as well as
various cells such as fibroblasts, macrophages, and mast cells.
III. The dermis contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles,
sebaceous glands, and sweat glands.
IV. It provides structural support to the skin and helps regulate temperature through its
blood vessels and sweat glands.
V. The dermis is responsible for the skin's elasticity and strength due to the collagen and
elastic fibers it contains.
VI. It also plays a role in wound healing and scar formation.

QUESTION NO 4: Discuss the significance of tension lines

ANSWER: SIGNIFICANCE OF TENSION LINES

Tension lines, also known as Langer's lines or cleavage lines, hold significant
importance across medical, surgical, and cosmetic domains. They serve as natural
guides for surgeons during incisions, aiding in minimizing scarring and enhancing
wound healing by aligning cuts parallel to these lines. Understanding tension lines also
allows for better cosmetic outcomes in procedures like facelifts, as surgeons can
strategically plan incisions to follow the natural patterns of tension, reducing visible
scarring. Moreover, tension lines play a crucial role in trauma assessment, helping
forensic experts and clinicians determine the direction and severity of wounds.
Furthermore, tension lines contribute to the understanding of skin biomechanics,
guiding research efforts aimed at developing treatments for various skin conditions.
Overall, tension lines are invaluable tools in optimizing surgical outcomes, promoting
effective wound healing, and advancing our understanding of skin physiology and
pathology.