The Integumentary System: Parts, Function, and Conditions
The integumentary system is your body’s outermost layer and your first line of defense against bacteria and injury. It is composed of several organs and structures, including the skin, hair, nails, and glands, and it works together with other systems in your body to keep it balanced. What is the Integumentary System? The integumentary system is the largest organ system in your body, and it serves as a physical barrier between your internal organs and the external environment. It consists of your skin, hair, nails, and glands, and it is responsible for protecting your body from harmful bacteria and other microbes, regulating your body temperature, and allowing you to feel sensations such as heat and cold. Image source: TomΓ‘Ε‘ Kebert & umimeto.org , CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons. What Makes Up the Integumentary System? The integumentary system consists of four main structures: skin, hair, nails, and glands. Skin : Your skin is the largest and heaviest organ in you...