HPR 205 Week 2 Discussion 2 :100% Verified

Discuss a minimum of three functions of the integumentary system. As stated by Colbert, Ankney, & Lee (2013), the integumentary system is the protective covering of the body and is the most exposed system. The integumentary system acts as a storage for fatty tissue and protects the body from an invasion of disease-producing pathogens. The system also provides sensory input (pleasant and unpleasant sensations involving pressure and temperature, for example) to your brain and helps regulate your body temperature. Explain the location, composition, and special features of the three layers of skin. The skin is the largest organ in the body, it is 20 pounds in the average adult. The three main layers are the epidermis, dermis, and the subcutaneous fascia. The epidermis is composed of stratified keratinised squamous epithelium and is made up of many layers near the surface of the skin (McLafferty, Hendry, & Farley, 2012). The epidermis is avascular and is dependent on blood vessels for the dermis for oxygenation. The cells are always shedding, they are replaced with new cells from a deeper region called the stratum basale. According to Ankney et al (2013). we have specialized cells called melanocytes that are in the epidermis and it is responsible for giving us our skin color. The dermis lies below the epidermis and above the subcutaneous layer and is responsible for providing nutrients and physical support to the epidermis (McLafferty et al, 2012). The dermis contains lymph vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles and glands. The dermis is composed of two layers: the reticular and papillary layers. The papillary layer c