By Cody, Tannor, Trent, and Cassandra

Integumentary System The integumentary system is the largest of the body's organ systems and one of the most important. Far from being just a covering to make sure that the body's inner organs aren’t exposed, the skin serves a number of functions, ranging from helping the body eliminate waste to protecting the body from physical trauma.

Structures Hair Nails Glands Skin (Epidermis and Dermis)

Skin The skins functions are protection, temperature regulation, keeping out bacteria and other harmful stuff, and the skin is waterproof.

Epidermis The epidermis is the first layer of you skin. The epidermis is mostly for protection and keeping out bacteria and viruses.

Dermis The dermis is the middle layer of your skin. It holds most of the glands and nerve endings. Like your sweat glands and your oil glands are located on this level. You feel hot, cold, touch and several others through your dermis.

Glands The integumentary system has two main types of glands, the sudoriferous (sweat) gland and sebaceous (oil) gland. The sweat eliminated by these glands contain water, salts, and some body wastes. The oil glands produce a secretion called sebum, an oil that keeps the skin and hair from becoming dry and brittle and serves as a bactericide. When an oil gland becomes plugged, the accumulation of dirt and oil results in a blackhead or pimple.

Nail The nails main function is to protect the tip of the finger. But the nail also acts as a counterforce when the end of the finger touches an object, it enhances the sensitivity of the fingertip, even though there are no nerves there.

Hair Hair covers almost every exposed surface of the body and has important functions. Hair on the head protects you from the suns ultraviolet light and hair in the nostrils, external ear canals, and the eyelashes prevent dirt and other particles from entering the body. They also keep the body warm.

Interactions with other systems The integumentary system interacts with every system, since it provides a barrier for every internal organ and keeps the body warm enough to have every system work properly. It works with the nervous system because in the skin there are receptors in the skin that send sensory information to the brain. It works with the immune system because it’s a barrier to bad bacteria and other stuff. It also works with the circulatory system because capillaries near the surface of the skin open when your body needs to cool off and close when you need to conserve heat.