Organs are two or more tissues which together perform a specialized function.

Cutaneous membrane is the skin the major organ of the integumentary system Integumentary system is the skin and the organs derived from it (hair, glands, nails) One of the largest organs 2 square meters; 10-11 lbs. Largest sense organ in the body The study of the skin is Dermatology

The Integumentary System -Includes the skin, hair, Nails, sweat glands, and oil Glands. This is the most Visible body system, and it has many functions. Protects the body from dirt and germs. Regulates body temperature. Eliminates waste materials through perspiration. Produces vitamin D from sunlight. Detects pain through nerves contained in the skin. Protect us from injury and infection It compose of two main layers the epidermis and dermis

SKIN Skin is our largest organ, and it completely covers the body. Our skin has two layers. The outer layer is called the epidermis. This layer is very thin over all the body except on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. The palms and the soles receive a great deal of hard use and the epidermis on these areas needs to be thicker. The cells of the epidermis are constantly dying and being shed. This dead skin is normal. Beneath the epidermis is the inner layer of skin called the dermis. The dermis is thicker than the epidermis. New skin cells are produced in the dermis to replace those dying in the epidermis. Blood vessels. EPIDERMIS Is the outmost layer. There are no blood vessels in the epidermis *thats why a small scratch does not cause bleeding It contains melanocytes (it produce dark pigment called melanin) *dark & light skinned people have the same number of melanocytes, the difference in skin color is due to the amount of melanin produced by melanocytes New cell produced, they push older cells to the surface of the skin (dead skin) where they become flattened & begin to make keratin. Keratin a tough fibrous protein, forms the basic structure of human hair, nails & even calluses eventually, the keratin-producing cells called keratinocytes. 4 principal cells that compose the epidermis. These cells are as follow: 1. Keratinocytes- Comprise approximately 90% of all epidermal cells. These cells produce a protein mixture known as keratin which helps waterproof and protect the skin. Melanocytes- Comprise approximately 8% of all epidermal cells. These cells produce a group of pigments known as melanin which are responsible for skin, hair and eye color.

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Langerhans cells- These cells arise from the bone marrow and migrate to the epidermis. These cells play an important role in the immune response. Merkel cells- These cells are located in the deepest regions of the epidermis and are associated with sensory neurons and are thought to function in the sensation of touch epidermis is composed of five layers or strata. These layers from the deepest to the most superficial are:

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Stratum corneum -Stratum corneum (corneum means horny) - Dead, flat cells full of keratin,Keratin is waterproof,Cells are shed Stratum lucidum (lucid = clear) - More apparent in thick skin,3-5 layers of clear cells,Eleidin Stratum granulosum-3-5 layers - Keratinization begins here,Keratohyalin found in granules,Cells beginning to die Stratum spinosum - 8-10 layers attached by desmosomes ,See spines when cell is stained for microscopy,Keratinocytes take in melanin by cytocrine secretion tratum basale - single layer of cuboidal to columnar cell,Stem cells that produce keratinocytes ,Melanocytes - # the same for all races,Melanin produced in a melanosome

AGE-RELATED CHANGES Skin is our largest and most visible organ. The aging changes in the skin are also very evident. As the person ages, the skin becomes thin and dry. It may become as fragile as tissue paper and tear very easily. Particular care must be taken when caring for a client with fragile skin to avoid injury. The older clients may have lost some of their fat stores under the skin. This may make sitting and lying on hard surfaces uncomfortable. Since fat acts as an insulator, the older clients may feel the changes in temperature more acutely. The home health aide can make clients more comfortable by padding hard surfaces and keeping the older client warmly dressed and adequately covered. The skin wrinkles and sags as the person ages due to the loss of muscle and elasticity. Brown spots may appear on those areas of the skin which are usually exposed to sunlight (hands, arms, face). These brown spots may not be considered attractive, but they do not harm the client.

DERMIS It is beneath the epidermis It is the second & deeper layer of the skin It consists of a dense network of connective tissue laying under & nourishing the epidermis . Beside being made up of many irregular connective tissue cells, the dermis contains innumerable microscopic fibers.

2 KINDS OF FIBERS COLLAGENOUS FIBERS are strong & hard to stretch DERMAL FIBERS are elastic & enable the skin to adopt itself readily to the changing contours of the body during movement. *in old age, the elastic fibers largely disappear & this is one reason why the skin wrinkled. Contain the ff. blood vessels-on warm day, blood vessels of the dermis widen to increase heat loss while on colder day they become narrow to conserve heat & limit heat loss. Smooth muscle Sensory receptors Hair folices from which hair grows HYPODERMIS OR SUBCUTANEOUS it is beneath the dermis contain 2 major glands 1.sweat glands - Sweat glands in the skin eliminate waste products through perspiration. Perspiration also helps regulate body temperature. When the perspiration evaporates in the air, it carries away heat and cools the body. - There are approximately 3 to 4 million sweat glands in the human body. 2.sebaceous glands - Oil glands function to lubricate the skin. They keep the skin soft and flexible. These glands also supply the hair follicles with oil. - Sebaceous glands are located in the dermis and are usually connected to hair follicles. -These glands produce an oily, white substance known as sebum which oils the hair and skin and thus prevents drying and also provides protection against some bacteria. -Sebaceous glands are located on the lips, on the eyelids and on the genitalia. -The sebaceous glands are glands found in the skin of mammals. They secrete an oily substance called sebum (Latin, meaning fat or tallow) that is made of fat (lipids) and the debris of dead fatproducing cells. These glands exist in humans throughout the skin except in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sebum acts to protect and waterproof hair and skin, and keep them from becoming dry, brittle, and cracked. It can also inhibit the growth of microorganisms on skin. -Sebum is odorless, but its bacterial breakdown can produce odors. Sebum is the cause of some people experiencing "oily" hair if it is not washed for several days. Earwax is partly sebum, as is mucopurulent discharge, the dry substance accumulating in the corners of the eye after sleeping.

HAIR Hair and nails are considered appendages or attachment to the skin. Hair grows in follicles, which are tubes that extend from the dermis to the epidermis and hold the hair root. The health and growth of hair and nails reflects the general health of the client. Produced by cell called hair follicles (from which hair grows), are in close contact with the help sebaceous glands. Sebum helps maintain the condition of each individual hair. It has sense receptors at their root that is why when something brushes against the hair we felt it. Most of our skin is covered with hair. It help our sense of touch the hair are dead except for a small part just above the base but at their roots they have sense receptors

AGE-RELATED CHANGES Hair often loses its color, turning gray or white as the person ages. It also may become dry and sparse. Facial hair, especially around the mouth and chin, may increase on women. Shaving or tweezing the face may become a choice for some aging women. -ajaeNails Nail Structure Nails are plates of hard, tightly packed keratinized cells of epidermis. Nails are composed of three principal parts: 1. Nail body- The visible portion of the nail. 2. Free edge- The aspect of the nail that may extend past the distal end of the digit. 3. Nail root- The aspect of the nail that is buried underneath a fold of skin. Other structures associated with the nail include: 1. Lunula- The whitish semilunar area of the proximal end of the nail body. 2. Eponychium- Also known as the cuticle. This is a narrow band of epidermis which extends from the lateral border of the nail wall. 3. Nail matrix- Epithelial tissue deep to the nail root where actual nail growth occurs. Nail Function Functionally, nails allow us to grasp and manipulate small objects. In addition, nails also provide protection against trauma to the distal ends of the digits. edit] Myths It is a myth that nails and hair will continue growing for several days after death. The appearance of growth is actually caused by the retraction of skin as the surrounding tissue dehydrates (desiccation), making nails and hair more prominent.