63CHAPTER 3 Integumentary System
Objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you will be able to:
- Describe the type of medical treatment the dermatologist provides.
- Identify the integumentary system structures by labeling the anatomical illustrations.
- Describe the primary functions of the integumentary system.
- Describe diseases, conditions, and procedures related to the integumentary system.
- Apply your word-building skills by constructing various medical terms related to the integu-
mentary system. - Describe common abbreviations and symbols related to the integumentary system.
- Recognize, define, pronounce, and spell terms correctly.
- Demonstrate your knowledge of this chapter by successfully completing the frames, reviews,
and medical report evaluations.
Medical Specialty
Dermatology
Dermatologyis the medical specialty concerned with diagnosis and treatment of diseases involving the skin and the
relationship of skin lesions to systemic diseases. The physician who specializes in diagnosis and treatment of skin dis-
eases is called a dermatologist.The dermatologist’s scope of practice includes management of skin cancers, moles, and
other skin tumors. This specialist also uses various techniques for the enhancement and correction of cosmetic skin
defects and prescribes measures to maintain the skin in a state of health.
Anatomy and Physiology Overview
The integumentary system consists of the skin and its accessory organs: the hair, nails, sebaceous glands, and sweat
glands. The skin is the largest organ in the body and protects the body from the external environment. It shields the
body against injuries, infection, dehydration, harmful ultraviolet rays, and toxic compounds. Beneath the skin’s surface
is an intricate network of sensory receptors that register sensations of temperature, pain, and pressure. The millions
of sensory receptors and a vascular network aid the functions of the entire body in maintaining homeostasis, which is
the stable internal environment of the body. (See Fig. 3–1.)