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Integumentary System

Skin – Hair – Nails -  the body’s outer protective cover.

The adjective cutaneous literally means "of the skin" (from Latin cutis, skin).

Skin - the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of ectodermal tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs.[1]  Skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens[2] and excessive water loss.[3] Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates.

Skin performs the following functions:

• Protection - an anatomical barrier from pathogens and damage between the internal and external environment in bodily defense; Langerhans cells in the skin are part of the adaptive immune system.[2][3]
• Sensation - contains a variety of nerve endings (sensors) that react to heat and cold, touch, pressure, vibration, and tissue injury.
• Heat regulation -  the skin contains a blood supply far greater than its requirements which allows precise control of energy loss by radiation, convection and conduction. Dilated blood vessels increase perfusion and heatloss, while constricted vessels greatly reduce cutaneous blood flow and conserve heat.
• Control of evaporation - the skin provides a relatively dry and semi-impermeable barrier to fluid loss.[3]
• Aesthetics and communication - others see our skin and may assess our mood, physical state and attractiveness.
• Storage and synthesis -  acts as a storage center for lipids and water, as well as a means of synthesis of vitamin D by action of UV on certain parts of the skin.
• Excretion - sweat contains urea, however its concentration is 1/130th that of urine, therefore excretion by sweating is at most a secondary function to temperature regulation.
• Absorption - In addition, medicine can be administered through the skin, by ointments or by means of adhesive patch.
• Water resistance - The skin acts as a water resistant barrier so essential nutrients aren't washed out of the body.

Types of Sensor

• Free nerve ending - sense temperature, light touch, pressure, pain.
• Meissner’s corpuscle - encapsulated nerve ending responds to light pressure.
• Merkel’s disc - unencapsulated receptor sense faint touch and light pressure.
• Ruffini corpuscle - encapsulated receptor reacts to continuous touch and pressure in joint capsules (responds to rotational movement).
• Pacinian corpuscle - senses stronger sustained pressure.

1. http://skin-care.health-cares.net/oily-skin-care.php

2. Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. (2008).The skin: an indispensable barrier. Exp Dermatol. 17(12):1063-72

3. Madison KC. (2003). Barrier function of the skin: "la raison d'être" of the epidermis. J Invest Dermatol. 121(2):231-41

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