Integumentary system

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In zootomy, the integumentary system is often the largest organ system of an animal by surface area, comprising skin, hair, feathers, scales, nails, sweat glands and their products (sweat and mucus). It distinguishes, separates, protects and informs the animal with regard to its surroundings. Small-bodied invertebrates of aquatic or continually moist habitats respire at their outer layer (integument). This gas exchange system, where gasses simply diffuse into and out of the interstitial fluid, is called integumentary exchange.

In botany, the integument refers to the envelope of an ovule.

The name derives from the Latin integumentum, which means 'a covering'.

[edit] Components

The cutaneous membrane (skin) and its accessory structures (hair, scales, feathers, nails, exocrine glands) make up the Integumentary system.

There are three layers of skin: (1) epidermis, (2) dermis and (3) subcutaneous tissue. Cutaneous glands include:

• Sudoriferous glands - or sweat glands
• Sebaceous glands - oil-producing glands
• Ceruminous glands - glands of the ear canal that produce cerumen (earwax)
• Mammary glands - milk-producing glands located in the breasts.

[edit] See also

• Dermatology - the branch of medicine dealing with the integumentary system.
• Skin
• Exoskeleton and shell

[edit] Sources

• Aquatic Path Details of the integumentary system of the fathead minnow
• biology4kids