6: Exploring the Integumentary System

Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology Lab Manual I: Fundamentals of Structure and Movement · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under CC BY-NC 4.0, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    Introduction

    In this Lab, we will delve into the fascinating world of the integumentary system, examining its structure, functions, and role as the body's protective shield. This lab provides a hands-on opportunity to explore skin anatomy, identify various layers, and understand how this complex system helps regulate temperature, protect against pathogens, and facilitate sensation. We will also distinguish between and identify first, second and third degree burns in figures and calculate percentage (%) of burns following rule of nine.

    The integumentary system is our body's first line of defense. Get ready to explore the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers, each playing a unique role. The epidermis, for instance, is our waterproof barrier, while the dermis supports it with a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves.

    Learning Objectives
    • Identify the layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and describe their structure and function.
    • Differentiate between thick and thin skin based on appearance, structure, and function.
    • Identify the tissue types within the layers of the skin and explain their specific functions.
    • Locate and label the layers of the epidermis and dermis using a microscope slide.
    • Analyze the protective, sensory, and regulatory roles of integumentary structures from a model or image.
    • Examine skin appendages (hair, nails, glands) and describe their functions.
    • Discuss common integumentary disorders, including burns, and explain their impact on overall health.

    • 6.1: Background Information
      This page outlines the skin's essential roles, including protection, immunity, thermoregulation, and sensation, detailing its structure, which consists of the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The dermis has two layers—papillary and reticular—housing crucial structures like sweat and sebaceous glands.
    • 6.2: Pre-Lab Activity
      This page describes a collaborative learning activity focused on the integumentary system's functions including protection, thermo-regulation, sensory perception, and immune defense. Students reflect individually on a key function, engage in paired discussions, and present group insights that emphasize the system's role in homeostasis and health. The activity highlights the interconnectedness and complexity of these functions.
    • 6.3: Activity 1
      This page discusses the adverse health effects of the Industrial Revolution on children, focusing on their excessive factory work and minimal sunlight exposure, which led to vitamin D deficiency and an increase in rickets. It highlights the relationship between environmental and lifestyle changes and children's health outcomes.
    • 6.4: Activity 2
      This page guides students through critical evaluations of statements regarding skin color, vitamin D, and sunscreen. It covers melanin's role in skin pigmentation, debunks myths about dark-skinned individuals' immunity to skin cancer, and discusses the effectiveness of sunscreen SPF. Ultimately, the exercise aims to enhance understanding and foster informed discussions on these health issues.
    • 6.5: Activity 3
      This page emphasizes the integumentary system's structures, encouraging hands-on learning through a laboratory model. Students locate components such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and skin layers, highlighting their significance in system functions. An observational activity prompts examination of skin color changes under pressure, linking physiological responses to these observations.
    • 6.6: Activity 4
      This page describes a lab activity that explores the effects of continuous external pressure on skin color. By applying pressure to a glass plate, participants observe changes in skin color linked to blood flow and oxygenation, emphasizing physiological responses important in medical and cosmetic contexts.
    • 6.7: Activity 5
      This page of the textbook focuses on the integumentary system, detailing its layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. It includes anatomical models and a table linking labeled structures to their physiological roles, enhancing understanding of skin anatomy and health significance. The page also highlights the necessity for physical participation in lab activities.
    • 6.8: Activity 6
      This page compares thick and thin skin, highlighting differences in epidermal layers, body locations, and accessory structures. Thick skin has all four epidermal strata, including the absent stratum lucidum in thin skin, and is located on palms and soles, whereas thin skin covers most of the body. The stratum corneum is thicker in thick skin, which contains eccrine sweat glands but no sebaceous glands, unlike thin skin. Both types possess regeneration capabilities.
    • 6.9: Activity 7
      This page details the histological distinctions among the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis within the integumentary system. It emphasizes the relationship between structure and function, presenting a comparison table of the tissues in each layer, such as stratified squamous epithelium and various connective tissues. Additionally, it highlights the role of blood vessels and sensory receptors, underscoring the complex architecture of the skin.
    • 6.10: Activity 8
      This page outlines a histology lab on the integumentary system, guiding students to examine skin cross sections and identify various tissue structures, including layers of the epidermis, dermis, and connective tissues. It emphasizes the importance of labeling specific structures and noting total magnification. A printed version of the lab is necessary for complete participation, as some content may not be fully accessible online.
    • 6.11: Activity 9
      This page presents an experiment comparing the density of eccrine sweat glands in thick skin (palm) versus thin skin (forearm) to explore sweat production's role in temperature regulation. It details procedures involving iodine and starch for observing sweat gland distribution, guides participants through hypothesis formulation, material preparation, and post-exercise analysis of sweat gland concentration based on color changes.
    • 6.12: Activity 10
      This page explores the detrimental impact of UV-A and UV-B rays on skin, emphasizing the significance of sunscreen with sufficient SPF and broad spectrum protection. It describes an experiment with UV-sensitive beads to evaluate UV exposure and the efficacy of various SPF lotions, underscoring the importance of experimental controls and safety measures when handling UV light in a lab setting.
    • 6.13: Activity 11
      This page covers the assessment of burn injuries, detailing the degrees of burns and the use of the Rule of Nines for initial management. It presents a case study of a 48-year-old male with multiple burn degrees, highlighting the need for assessing burn severity and vital signs. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of teamwork among healthcare specialists for effective management of infection, shock, and pain in burn treatment, showcasing a comprehensive approach to patient care.
    • 6.14: Glossary
      This page details the structure and function of the skin, highlighting the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, along with key skin cells such as keratinocytes and melanocytes. It discusses skin disorders, including genetic conditions like albinism and vitiligo, which affect melanin production. Additionally, the page emphasizes the integumentary system's role, encompassing skin, hair, and nails, in providing protection and sensory functions.

    Thumbnail: The skin is composed of two main layers: the epidermis, made of closely packed epithelial cells, and the dermis, made of dense, irregular connective tissue that houses blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures. Beneath the dermis lies the hypodermis, which is composed mainly of loose connective and fatty tissues. (CC BY 4.0; Aylin Marz; Ganesan Kamatchi; Joseph D'Silva; Krishnan Prabhakaran; Rajeev Chandra; and Solomon Isekeije via Anatomy and Physiology Laboratory Manual for Nursing and Allied Health)

    This page titled 6: Exploring the Integumentary System was last modified on Tue, 01 Sep 2026 01:45:29 GMT and is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Lakshmikanta Sengupta and Susmita Sengupta.