The Integumentary System
By: Kaden Reynolds - 4th period
Integumentary system's functions
Some functions of the integumentary system are:
- To protect the body's inner organs by surrounding the outside of the body like armor.
- To protect our bodies from invading viruses that could potentially harm us.
- Sensing temperature, pressure, pain, and touch.
- Protecting our body from bad sunburns.
- Stores water, fat, and Vitamin D
Integumentary system organs
Integumentary system organs include:
- The dermis - the dermis is the inner, much thicker layer to the skin that houses things like veins, blood cells, sweat glands, and more.
- The epidermis - the epidermis is the outer, much thinner layer to the skin that acts as kind of like armor for the inside organs and cells within the dermis.
- Hair - hair is pretty much just an outgrowth of the skin, made from dead and hardened skin cells. Hair is also meant to provide some more protection against strong uv rays.
- Nails - Nails are also just outgrowths of skin made up of dead and hardened skin cells, but nails are meant to protect the cuticles (the skin below your nails), considering they are very sensitive
Skin Ailments
Here are some skin ailments (problems):
- Skin cancer - skin cancer happens when a bad virus enters your body that corrupts all of the cells into hurtful cells, it is caused by smoking, getting badly sunburned, or getting non healing wounds. Some symptoms are discolored skin, or I healing wounds. Skin Cancer can often be treated by radiation therapy, topical therapy, or cryotherapy from a specialized Doctor.
- Sunburn - definitely not as bad as cancer, sunburn can still be pretty harsh. Sunburn happens when the body is over exposed to uv rays without protection, and can cause pain whenever the sunburned area is touched, can cause you to feel over heated, and in extreme cases, sunburn can lead to types of skin cancer. Sunburns will either go away on their own, or to speed up the process, you can apply Aloe Vera to the sunburned area, but usually, they aren't extreme enough to need a doctor.
- Blisters - blisters are also not major, but they are uncomfortable and pretty harsh when big. Blisters are little pockets of liquid that form whenever a portion of the skin is constantly rubbing against something. They also will go away on their own, but the time it takes varies, depending on the size and location, but the best idea is to just stop the area from rubbing, and let it heal on its own.
How the Integumentary system works with the nervous system
Considering one of the functions of the integumentary system is to sense temperature, pressure, and pain, this system works well with the nervous system. When the skin feels something (temperature, pressure, or pain), it sends messages to the brain in faster than a snap of your fingers (less than a hundredth of a second), that also explains why in just one square centimeter of skin holds 4 yards of nerves, 200 nerve endings to record pain, and 3000 sensory cells.