The Integumentary system

The Integument
 The Integumentary System ( the
integument) or simply the skin
system is one of the largest and
heaviest organ systems of the
human body. The skin covers the
outer surface of the body and is
continuous with the mucous
membranes found insides the
eyelids, nostrils, and other openings
of the human body.
 The Integument (skin)

 The skin consist of

two major layers,
and bed of
connective tissue
of which it lays
upon called the
subcutaneous
tissue or
(hypodermis.)
 The skin
 The two major layers are:
 -(1) The outer epidermis, derived
from the embryonic ectoderm, and
 -(2) the inner dermis, which
develops from the mesode
 Beneath the dermis is the
hypodermis (sometimes called the
subcutaneous tissue layer or the
superficial fascia)
The skin and its appendages

 hair,
 nails,
 sebaceous and
 sweat glands
The skin and its appendages
 make up a very complex set of organs that
accomplishes several functions for the
human body, namely:
 1. Protection for internal organs from the
outside environment,
 2. Protection from the loss of internal
fluids or dehydration,
 3. Maintenanc of homeostasis, interms of
body overall temperature regulation,
 The skin and its
appendages….
 4. Excretion of some waste products
via the sebaceous and sweat glands,
 5. Maintenance of the sites for
reception of external cutaneous
sensations,
 6. Serves as a blood reservoir, and
finally,
 7. The skin does some metabolic
functions.
 The Skin
 The skin layers:
 Epidermis – specialized epithelium, derived
from the ectoderm.
 Dermis ( corium) – characteristics:
 vascular dense connective tissue
 from the mesoderm.
 Corresponds to the Lamina propria of the mucous
membrane.
 Connected to the underlying hypodermis by
connective tissue fibers .
 Hypodermis – lower layer, not part of the
skin.
 The skin…..

 Dermal ridges – patterns of ridges

over the skin surface consists of
whorls, loops, arches and determined
by hereditary traits. Formed during
3rd and 4th months of fetal life
 Classification:
 thick skin = over the palms of hands
and feet
 thin skin = over the rest of the body.
 The Epidermis.
 Cell types:
 Keratinocyte = differentiate to
keratin.
 Melanocyte
 Langerhans cell
 Merkel cell
 Basal cell layer mitotic activity cells
displaced to higher level  elaborate
keratin  keratin replaces the cytoplasm
 cell dies  shedding.
Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 1. Stratum germinativum:
 The stratum germinatum (SG) provides
the germinal cells necessary for the
regeneration of the layers of the
epidermis. These germinal cells are
separated from the dermis by a thin layer
of basement membrane. After a mitotic
division a newly formed cell will undergo a
progressive maturation called
keratinization as it migrates to the surface.
 Tonofibrils = aggregate bundles of fine
filaments, where mitotic activities are
inititated.
 Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 2. Stratum Spinosum
 The cells that divide in the statum germinativum soon
begin to accumulate many desmosomes on their outer
surface which provide the characteristic “prickles” of the
stratum spinosum (SS), which is often called the prickle-cell
layer.
 Composed of irregular, polyhedral cells, separate and
flattened at the surface.
 Cytoplasm is basophilic, intercellular b ridges with short
process to adjacent cells
 MALPHIGIAN layer = stra. Germinativum & stra. Spinosum:
 a. responsible for proliferation & initiation of keratinization
process.
 b. contains Melanocytesmelanin, for pigmentation.
 c. with scattered langerhans and Merkel cells.
 Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 3. Stratum granulosum
 The progressive maturation of a keratinocyte is
charcterized by the accumulation of keratin,
called keratinization. The cells of the stratum
granulosum (SGR) accumulae dense basophilic
keratohyalin granules (seen on the close-up
view). These granules contain lipids, which along
with the desmosomal connections, help to form a
waterproof barrier that functions to prevent fluid
loss from the body- keratinosomes.
 Consists of 3 to 5 layers of flattened cells whose
long axis is parallel to the skin surface, contains
Keratohyalin granules, cells become pale,
eventually dies.
 Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 4. Stratum Lucidum
 Epidermis varies in thickness throughout the body
depending mainly on frictional forces and is
thickest on the palms of the hands and soles of
the feet. The stratum lucidum is normally only
well seen in thick epidermis and represents a
transition from the stratum granulosum to the
stratum corneum.
 Clear translucent layer 3 – 5 cell layers, flattened
and closely packed, nuclei are indistinct or
absent. Cytoplasm has keratohyalin and
distributed among the tonofibrils.
 Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 5. Stratum Corneum
 As a cell accumulates keratinohyalin granules, it
is thought that rupture of lysosomal membranes
release lysosomal enzymes that eventually cause
cell death. The dead and dying cells filled with
mature keratin form the stratum corneum (SC).
The deeper cells of the stratum corneum retain
their desmosomal junctions, but as they are
pushed to the surface by newly forming cells of
the stratum germinativum (SG), the dead cells
gradually break apart and are lost, a process
called desquamation.
Epidermis of the palms and
sole
 Stratum Corneum
 Nucleus is absent, cytoplasm is
replaced with Keratin from the
tonofibrils and deeper epidermal
layer ( soft keratin) low in sulfur
content.
 Stains pink in Eosin and often
shredded during preparation.
 Stratum disjunctum = most
superficial layer , with flat horny
plates and desquamated constantly.
 Pigmentation of skin:
 Carotene = yellow color.
 Blood = reddish hue.
 melanin pigments = shades of brown
 melanin = produced by melanocytes
within the melanosomes
 melanocytes
 between keratinocytes of stra.
Germinativum and spinosum
 within hair follicles
 dermal connective tissue.
 Pigmentation of skin…..
 Tyrosinase ( enzyme from the ribosomes)
 transferred to endoplasmic reticulum 
Golgi zone  packaged into vesicles
fused into premelanosomes  mature into
4 stages with melanin packed
melanosomes  transferred to
keratinocytes of stra. Germinativum and
spinosum via phagocytosis of melanosome
containing processes of melanocytes 
pigments are injected into the
keratinocytes.
 Pigmentation of skin…..

 MSH – melanocyte stimulating

hormones stimulates migration of
melanosomes in dendritic process
and the transfer of keratinocytes
 Ultraviolet rays increases the
melanocytes enzymatic activity
Tanning
 Langerhans cells

 the 3rd cellular population within the

epidermis.
 Star- shaped, with numerous dendritic
process
 Found principally within the stra.
Spinosum.
 Berbick granules = rod-like inclusions in
cytoplasm, strat epith. In oral mucosa,
esophagus, vagina, hair follicles,
sebaceous and apocrine glands, thymus
and lymph nodes. Functions by fixing and
processes exogenous antigens. Associated
 Merkel cells
 the 4th cellular population within the
epidermis.
 Wide epidermal distribution, found in stra.
Germinativum
 With irregular shaped nuclei, cytoplasm
less dense, concentrated at the basal
region of cells.
 Attached to neighboring keratinocytes by
numerous desmosomes.
 Functions as mechanoreceptors.
 Has APUD ( amino precursor uptake and
decarboxylation) like activity.
 The Dermis

 1. The Papillary Dermis

 The papillary dermis (PD) contains vascular
networks that have two important functions. The
first being to support the avascular epidermis
with vital nutrients and secondly to provide a
network for thermoregulation. The vasculature is
organized so that by increasing or decreasing
blood flow, heat can either be conserved or
dissipated. The vasculature interdigitates in areas
called dermal papillae (DP). The papillary dermis
also contains the free sensory nerve endings and
structures called Meissner’s corpuscles in highly
sensitive areas.
 The Dermis….

 2. The Reticular Dermis

 The main fibrous bed of the dermis.
 The reticular layer of the dermis (RD) consists of dense
irregular connective tissue, which differs from the papillary
layer (PD), which is made up of mainly loose connective
tissue. The reticular layer of the dermis is important in
giving the skin it overall strength and elasticity, as well as
housing other important epithelial derived structures such
as glands and hair follicles.
 Langer lines = direction of fiber lines of skin tension, of
surgical importance, incisions heal with less gap and scar
tissues. Ground substance is of amorphous matrix.
 Skin……

 3 principal glycosaminoglycans of the

skin a. hyaluronic acid,
b. dermatan sulfates,
c. chondroitin sulfates.
 Cellular elements:
 fibrblasts
 macrophages
 fat cells
 chromatophores
 connective tissue cells
 true dermal melanocytes is rare
 dopa positive
 accumulate in the sacral region = Mongolian
spots
 accumulate in dermal tumors = blue nevi
 generally papillary layer has more cells and
smaller and finer connective tissue fibers and
reticular fibers.
 Muscle fibers

 maybe found in the dermis

arrectores pilorum muscles.
 Scattered in the dermis = nipple,
penis, scrotum, parts of the
perineum, contraction gives a
wrinkled appearance.
 Hypodermis
 the subcutaneous layer( superficial)
 not part of the skin
 deep extension of the dermis
 density and arrangement determines the mobility
of the skin
 panniculus adiposus = a fat pad due to a
continuous lobules of fat present up to 3 cm in
the abdomen.
 Devoid of fats = eyelids, penis and scrotum.
 Superficial zone contains hair follicles and sweat
glands.
 Skin Appendages

 Nails
 Horny plates of epidermis that forms a protective covering on
the dorsal plates of the terminal phalanges, do not
desquamate. The body is translucent, pink color due to
vascularity in the nail bed. The root is more opaque and
becomes continuous with the body of the nail.
 3rd month, the begin to form as nail groove  differentiate into
soft matrix nail plates  advance into the dorsal surface of the
digits top form nail beds. It lacks sweat glands and hair follicles.
 Hyponychium = thickened epidermis at the junction of stra.
Corneum.
 Lonule = a crescentric margin at the nail bed.
 Nail groove is lined by modified epidermis
 Eponychium = cuticle, extension of the stra. Corneum from nail
bed to free surface of the nail plate.
 Growth rates is 0.5 mm per week
 Faster growth in the fingernail than in toenails.
 Hair Follicle

 Hair Follicles
 elastic keratinized threads that developed from the
epidermis.
 Distributed thru out the entire skin surface except:
 palms
 sole
 dorsal surface of distal phalanges
 anal apperture
 urogenital apperture
 has shaft and root embedded in the skin
 hair follicle consists of epidermal and dermal tissues
 Hair Follicle
 Structure =
 dermal root sheath derive from external
connective sheath.
 With 3 layers:
 outer poorly defined, coarse bundle of collagen fibers
( corresponds to reticular layer)
 midlayer = thicker, corresponds to papillary layer,
cellular and with fine connective tissue layer.
 Inner layer, glassy membrane, corresponds to basal
lamina, consists of amorphous ground substance.
 Hair Follicle

 epithermal (epithelial root sheath) =

from the epidermis
 outer epithelial root sheath = posses a
single row of tall cells and an inner
polygonal stratum.
 Inner sheath = keratinized root sheath
 Inner layer of hair follicle
layers:
 Henle’s layer = a single layer of
flattened, clear cells with hyaline
 Huxley’s layer = several layers of
flattened cells with trichohyaline granule
like keratohyaline and tonofibrils.
 cuticle of root sheath = lie against the
hair cuticle. A single layer of transparent
horny scales and interdigitate.
 Inner layer of hair follicle
layers…
 Henle’s layer = a single layer of
flattened, clear cells with hyaline
 Huxley’s layer = several layers of
flattened cells with trichohyaline granule
like keratohyaline and tonofibrils.
 cuticle of root sheath = lie against the
hair cuticle. A single layer of transparent
horny scales and interdigitate.
 Growth = follows mitosis of the
undifferentiated matrix of epidermal
cells.
 Definite period for growth:
 Definite period for growth:
 Head hair = growth is 2 – 4 years
 Eyelashes = 3 – 4 months.
 Upon cessation of growth,
multiplication at the bases stopped
 root detach from matrix  hair
falls out or is pulled. After a period of
rest, a new germinal matrix develops
to grow up the reformed follicle.
 The Hair
 Structure of the Hair
 Layers:
 medulla
 cortex
 cuticle
 Medulla:
 forms loose axis
 with 2 – 3 layers of shrunken
 cornified, cuboidal cells
 Absent in fine short hairs, downy type hair, some scalp hair,
blonde hair.
 Cells contains pigments, medulla is of soft type.
 Cortex
 make up the bulk of the hair
 composed of several layers of long
flattened spindle shaped cornified cells.
 Keratin is of the hard type
 Keratin fibrils are oriented parallel to the
long axis of the hair
 Pigment granules are found in between
cells and are oxidized
 Air accumulates in the intercellular spaces,
modifies hair color.
 Cuticle

 single layer of thin clear cells

 cornified cells, have lost their nuclei
 cells overlap with free edges directed
upwards
 x section, round = Chinese, Eskimos,
American Indians.
 Oval = Caucasians
 Elliptical or reniform = wooly hair of
blacks.
 Sweat Glands
 Eccrine or merocrine  Most numerous in the:
sweat glands or ordinary  palms
sweat glands.  sole
 Coiled, tubular, distributed  Apocrine sweat glands
thru out the skin.  = found in axilla, nipple,
 Not found in: areola, labia majora,
 nail beds circumanal region.
 margin of lips
 glans penis
 = has a thicker secretion,
 eardrum opens into the upper part of
hair follicles. Less coiling, the
lumen is much wider., myo-
epithelial cells are much
larger and form a complete
layer, begins to function only
at puberty. Secretes a waxy
substance = cerumen from
glands of the external
audoitory meatus and the
eyelids glands of Moll.
 Sebaceous glands
 connected with hair follicles
 several drain into a single follicle
 others drain into free surface, e.g., glans penis,
labia minora, tarsal ( meibomian) glands
 absent in palms and soles
 each is encapsulated by a thin layer of connective
tissue.
 alveolar ( saccular) glands which synthesize
lipids.
 Alveoli are completely filled with stratified
epithelium
 Sebaceous glands
 Alveoli are completely filled with stratified
epithelium, the internal surface is a single row of
small cuboidal cells  continuous with basal cells
of epidermis  incr. agranular endoplasmic
reticulum  becomes active in Lipogenesis
center of alveoli nucleus becomes larger
cytoplasm is distended with droplets, containing
cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides  nuclei
gradually shrinks and disappears  cells
breakdown into fatty mass of debris 
 SEBUM , holocrine type, total destruction of
epithelial cells.
 * discharge of sebum is aided by the arector pili
muscle and pressure within alveolus.
 Sebaceous gland…..

 Vascularity
 = rete cutaneum , around the
junction zone between the dermis
and the hypodermis rete
subpapillare ( network between
papillary and reticular layer)
Thank you