The Integumentary System

Function:

The integumentary system includes skin, hair, and nails. The function of the skin is to keep foreign particles out of the body, to keep you in touch with the outside world by letting you touch and feel, to rid of waste through sweat, and to regulate your body temperature, which is also by sweating. Hair helps protect your skin from ultraviolet rays, and helps keep dust and insects out of your eyes and nose. Nails protect your finger and toe tips.

Organs:

Nails

Skin

Hair

More about hair:

Hair protects your skin from ultraviolet light, such as the rays from the sun. Hair also helps regulate body temperature. Your hairs immediately stand up, and create a "sweater" to trap warm air around you when you are cold. Hair also helps keep dust and insects away from our eyes and nose.

Tissues that make up hair:

Hair follicles

Interactions with other systems:

• Interacts with the immune system, because they both use the skin to keep pathogens out of the body.
• Provides protection on the outside of the body just like the skeletal system.

Diseases, Disorders & Other Problems:

• Skin cancer is a disease through damage of genetic material.
• Acne can affect the skin with hormones that cause oil glands to make too much oil for the skin. The oil mixes with dead skin cells and clogs hair follicles, causing acne.