INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM
Appendages of the skin are : nails, hair, sweat glands and
sebaceous glands
FUNTIONS OF
THE SKIN
1) REGULATION
OF BODY TEMPERATURE
The
body temperature is constant at about 36.9 C or 98.4 C
2) PROTECTION
Skin
protects the deeper structures against the invasion of microbes and other
harmful agent. Skin is the covering of the body
3) SKIN HAS
EXCERTORY, SECRETORY AND ABSORPTIVE FUNCTION.
By
perspiration waste materials are excreted. Sebaceous glands secrete a fatty
substance called sebum which keeps the skin soft and smooth and the hair
glossy. Medicines or oily substances are absorbed by the skin when applied
externally
4) FORMATION
OF VIT D
The ultraviolet rays from sun
convert the fatty substance of the skin into vit-D
5) SENSORY
FUNCTION OF THE SKIN
Skin
carries sensory impulse of pain, temperature and touch to the brain
6) STORAGE
FUNCTION
Skin act as a storage of water and
the adipose tissue beneath the epidermis. It is one of the fat depots of the
body
7) IMMUNITY
FUNCTION
Certain
epidermis cells protect the body against foreign invaders thus act as a part of
immune systems
8) RESERVOIR
OF BLOOD
The dermis
carries 8 to 10 percents of the total flow in a resting adult. Skin flow
increases in moderate exercise. Skin blood vessels constrict during strenuous exercise
and thus allows more blood to circulate through contraction of muscles.