Importance of the Functions of the integumentary system
The integumentary system is made up of several organs and structures including the skin, hair, nails, glands, and nerves. The primary function of the integumentary system is to protect the inside of the body from elements in the environment—like bacteria, pollution, and UV rays from the sun
The skin and its associated structures also retain bodily fluids, eliminate waste products, and regulate the body’s temperature. The integumentary system works with all other bodily systems—such as the nervous, cardiovascular, and digestive systems—to accomplish all the jobs it performs in helping to maintain the stability of the internal body.
The integumentary system includes:
The skin is the largest and heaviest organ of the body. To function as a protective barrier, it must cover the entire outside of the body, from the top of a person’s head to the end of the toes. The skin is approximately 2 mm (0.079 inches) thick and in its entirety weighs nearly 6 pounds.
Although there may be some differences in the skin from one person to another (such as the color, texture, and thickness), all skin has a few primary similarities. For example, every person’s skin is comprised of different types, including:
There are two layers of the skin:
The fatty layer of the skin is a layer of subcutaneous (under the skin) tissue, also known as the hypodermis.1
The fatty layer serves many different functions, including:
Hair serves to:2
Hair is primarily comprised of a fibrous protein and contains a very small amount of lipids (fats) and water. Hair comes from follicles, which are simple organs made up of cells called epithelial cells.3 Epithelial cells are the cells that line the organs and function to provide a protective barrier.