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Integumentary System Overview - Anatomy & Physiology (view source)
Revision as of 17:00, 7 November 2022
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==Introduction ==
The '''integumentary system''' is an organ system that forms the protective covering of an animal and comprises the [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|skin]] (including [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology#Glands|glands]] and their products), [[Hair - Anatomy & Physiology|haircoat]] or [[Feather - Anatomy & Physiology|feathers]], [[Integument of Exotic Species - Anatomy & Physiology|scales]], [[Skin - Anatomy & Physiology#Cutaneous appendages|nails]], [[Hoof - Anatomy & Physiology|hooves]] and [[Horn - Anatomy & Physiology|horns]].
The integument is defined as the outer protective covering of an animal and includes the skin, haircoat or feathers, hooves and horns. The skin is the largest organ of the body and plays a major protective and regulatory function. Generally mammalian skin is covered with hair and is termed hirsute skin. Where hair is absent, it is termed glabrous skin.
The integumentary system has a variety of functions; in animals, it serves to waterproof, cushion and protect the deeper tissues, excrete waste, regulate [[Thermoregulation in Skin - Anatomy & Physiology|temperature]] and is the location of sensory receptors for pain, pressure and temperature. Generally mammalian skin is covered with hair and is termed hirsute skin. Where hair is absent, it is termed glabrous skin.
The integumentary system is often the largest organ system. It distinguishes, separates, protects and informs the animal with regard to its surroundings. Small-bodied invertebrates of aquatic or continually moist habitats also respire using the outer layer (integument). This gas exchange system, where gases simply diffuse into and out of the interstitial fluid, is called '''integumentary exchange'''. The skin is an organ that shows complex adaptations many of which are species specific - [[Integument of Exotic Species - Anatomy & Physiology|fish, birds, reptiles and amphibians]] have modifications of the integumen that are tailored to meet the survival needs of each species. Specific lifestyles such as those including hibernation require additional modifications to support the skin such as the phsiologically adapted [[Brown Adipose Tissue - Anatomy & Physiology|brown adipose tissue]] which generates body heat from specialised subcutaneous fat cells.
The skin can be reflective of the health status of an animal, being sensative to certain [[Endocrine & Nutritional Influences on the Skin|hormonal and nutritional]] conditions.
{{Learning
|flashcards = [[:Category:Integumentary System Anatomy & Physiology Flashcards|Integumentary system flashcards]]
|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/Content/Factsheets/FactSheet208.asp Skin diseases]
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'''[[The Ear - Anatomy & Physiology]]
==References==
*{{citation|initiallast = Dyce|initialfirst = K.M|2last = Sack|2first = W.O|finallast = Wensing|finalfirst = C.J.G|year = 2002|title = Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy|ed =3rd|city = Philadelphia|pub = Saunders}}
*Gilbert, S.F., 2000. '''Developmental Biology'''. 6th ed. Sinauer Associates, Inc, Sunderland MA.
*{{citation|initiallast = Sjaastad|initialfirst = O.V|2last = Hove|2first = K|finallast = Sand|finalfirst = O|year = 2004|title = Physiology of Domestic Animals|city = Oslo|pub = Scandinavian Veterinary Press}}
==Webinars==
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[[Category:Integumentary System - Anatomy & Physiology]]
===References for Integumentary Anatomy and Physiology===