The integumentary system is the largest organ system, comprising skin, hair, nails, skin glands and their products (sweat, slime). It distinguishes, separates, protects, and informs the human body with regard to its surroundings.
The name comes from the Latin integumentum, which means "a covering".
Components
The major components of the integumentary system are the cutaneous membrane (skin), and its accessory structures (hair, scales, feathers, nails, exocrine glands).
Cutaneous glands include:
- Sudoriferous glands - or sweat glands
- Sebaceous glands - oil-producing glands
- Ceruminous glands - glands of the ear canal that produce cerumen (earwax)
- Mammary glands - milk-producing glands located in the breasts.
See also
Dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with the integumentary system. As skin is the most visible organ, skin appearance or symptoms provides important clues not only to skin diseases but also to disorders of other organs, such as the liver. Skin is also the most vulnerable organ system because of exposure to radiation, trauma, infection, bruising, and harmful chemicals.
Sources
- Aquatic Path Details of the integumentary system of the fathead minnow
- Free Integumentary Medical Clip Art
- biology4kids
