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C
Carley Lyons
12/10/2025
Biology
Integumentary System
45
•
Dec 10, 2025
•
Understanding the Layers and Role of the Integumentary System
C
Carley Lyons
@carleylyons_vtwk
1 / 4
Skin Structure and Function
Your skin is organized into three main layers, each with specific roles. The epidermis, the outermost layer, protects your body, maintains hydration, produces new skin cells, and contains melanin for pigmentation. The dermis sits in the middle, supporting and protecting the skin while enabling sensations and producing sweat and hair. The hypodermis (underneath) insulates your body, stores energy, and connects skin to muscles and bones.
The epidermis itself has five layers, from deepest to most superficial: Stratum Basale, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Lucidum, and Stratum Corneum. These layers work together as skin cells develop and move outward.
Your skin performs numerous vital functions including maintaining homeostasis, regulating body temperature, preventing water loss, housing sensory receptors, and even producing vitamin D. It also provides a protective covering for your body and excretes small amounts of waste.
💡 Think of your skin as your body's custom-designed spacesuit - it regulates temperature, prevents dehydration, and protects you from harmful environmental elements all at once!
Connective tissues work alongside skin, including adipose tissue, cartilage, and bone. These tissues contain various fibers (collagenous, reticular, and elastic) that provide structure and flexibility.
Glands, Hair, and Body Temperature
Your skin contains two major types of glands that help it function properly. Sebaceous glands produce oil (sebum) that waterproofs and lubricates your skin and hair. Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) come in three varieties: eccrine sweat glands (all over your body), apocrine sweat glands (in armpits and groin), and ceruminous glands (in ear canals, producing earwax).
Hair has several important structures working together. The hair shaft is the visible portion made of dead, keratin-filled cells. Below the skin, the hair root receives nutrients from blood vessels, while the hair follicle surrounds both. The hair bulb and matrix contain actively dividing cells that produce new hair, nourished by the hair papilla. Each follicle connects to a sebaceous gland and an arrector pili muscle that can make hair stand up.
Melanin is the brown/black pigment in your skin produced by melanocytes, providing both color and protection from harmful UV radiation. Your normal body temperature stays around 37°C (98.6°F), and when it rises, your nervous system triggers vasodilation - blood vessels widen to allow more heat to escape through the skin.
🔍 Did you know that the arrector pili muscles that make your hair stand on end during "goosebumps" are the same type of involuntary muscles that dilate your pupils and move food through your digestive system?
Nails and Burns
Your fingernails and toenails consist of several specialized structures. The visible nail plate is made of translucent keratin with a free edge (the white tip), a nail body (middle section), and a nail root that extends under your skin. The cuticle forms a waterproof seal where nail meets skin, while the nail bed beneath contains living cells. The nail matrix is where new nail cells form, visible as the white lunula at the base. The hyponychium protects the front edge of the nail bed.
Burns are classified by severity and depth of tissue damage. First-degree burns damage only the epidermis, appearing red with increased sensitivity but no blistering (like mild sunburns). Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and upper dermis, causing redness, pain, and blistering .
Third-degree burns destroy the entire epidermis and dermis, appearing stiff with white or brown coloration and often causing major scarring . The most severe, fourth-degree burns, damage not only all skin layers but underlying tissues as well, appearing black or charred. These can be life-threatening and may require amputation.
⚠️ Burn severity isn't just about pain level - third and fourth-degree burns might actually hurt less because nerve endings have been destroyed, but they're much more dangerous to your health and recovery!
Epithelial Tissues
Epithelial tissues cover surfaces throughout your body and come in several important types based on their cell shapes and arrangements. Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells, while stratified epithelium has multiple layers.
The cell shapes determine tissue types: squamous , cuboidal , and columnar . These combine to form specific tissue types such as Simple Squamous (single layer of flat cells), Stratified Squamous (multiple layers of flat cells), and Simple Columnar (single layer of tall cells).
Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium appears to have multiple layers but actually doesn't, while Transitional epithelium can stretch and change shape. Each type of epithelial tissue is specially adapted for its location and function in your body.
🔎 The epithelial tissue lining your respiratory tract (pseudostratified columnar) has tiny hair-like projections called cilia that sweep mucus and trapped particles up and away from your lungs - like a microscopic escalator keeping your airways clean!
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This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
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Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
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Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
Understanding the Layers and Role of the Integumentary System
C
Carley Lyons
@carleylyons_vtwk
Welcome to your guide on the skin, its structures, and related tissues! This summary covers the layers of skin, how it functions, and the various accessory structures like hair, nails, and glands that make this remarkable organ work. Understanding skin... Show more
Skin Structure and Function
Your skin is organized into three main layers, each with specific roles. The epidermis, the outermost layer, protects your body, maintains hydration, produces new skin cells, and contains melanin for pigmentation. The dermis sits in the middle, supporting and protecting the skin while enabling sensations and producing sweat and hair. The hypodermis (underneath) insulates your body, stores energy, and connects skin to muscles and bones.
The epidermis itself has five layers, from deepest to most superficial: Stratum Basale, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Lucidum, and Stratum Corneum. These layers work together as skin cells develop and move outward.
Your skin performs numerous vital functions including maintaining homeostasis, regulating body temperature, preventing water loss, housing sensory receptors, and even producing vitamin D. It also provides a protective covering for your body and excretes small amounts of waste.
💡 Think of your skin as your body's custom-designed spacesuit - it regulates temperature, prevents dehydration, and protects you from harmful environmental elements all at once!
Connective tissues work alongside skin, including adipose tissue, cartilage, and bone. These tissues contain various fibers (collagenous, reticular, and elastic) that provide structure and flexibility.
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Glands, Hair, and Body Temperature
Your skin contains two major types of glands that help it function properly. Sebaceous glands produce oil (sebum) that waterproofs and lubricates your skin and hair. Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands) come in three varieties: eccrine sweat glands (all over your body), apocrine sweat glands (in armpits and groin), and ceruminous glands (in ear canals, producing earwax).
Hair has several important structures working together. The hair shaft is the visible portion made of dead, keratin-filled cells. Below the skin, the hair root receives nutrients from blood vessels, while the hair follicle surrounds both. The hair bulb and matrix contain actively dividing cells that produce new hair, nourished by the hair papilla. Each follicle connects to a sebaceous gland and an arrector pili muscle that can make hair stand up.
Melanin is the brown/black pigment in your skin produced by melanocytes, providing both color and protection from harmful UV radiation. Your normal body temperature stays around 37°C (98.6°F), and when it rises, your nervous system triggers vasodilation - blood vessels widen to allow more heat to escape through the skin.
🔍 Did you know that the arrector pili muscles that make your hair stand on end during "goosebumps" are the same type of involuntary muscles that dilate your pupils and move food through your digestive system?
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Nails and Burns
Your fingernails and toenails consist of several specialized structures. The visible nail plate is made of translucent keratin with a free edge (the white tip), a nail body (middle section), and a nail root that extends under your skin. The cuticle forms a waterproof seal where nail meets skin, while the nail bed beneath contains living cells. The nail matrix is where new nail cells form, visible as the white lunula at the base. The hyponychium protects the front edge of the nail bed.
Burns are classified by severity and depth of tissue damage. First-degree burns damage only the epidermis, appearing red with increased sensitivity but no blistering (like mild sunburns). Second-degree burns affect both the epidermis and upper dermis, causing redness, pain, and blistering .
Third-degree burns destroy the entire epidermis and dermis, appearing stiff with white or brown coloration and often causing major scarring . The most severe, fourth-degree burns, damage not only all skin layers but underlying tissues as well, appearing black or charred. These can be life-threatening and may require amputation.
⚠️ Burn severity isn't just about pain level - third and fourth-degree burns might actually hurt less because nerve endings have been destroyed, but they're much more dangerous to your health and recovery!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Epithelial Tissues
Epithelial tissues cover surfaces throughout your body and come in several important types based on their cell shapes and arrangements. Simple epithelium consists of a single layer of cells, while stratified epithelium has multiple layers.
The cell shapes determine tissue types: squamous , cuboidal , and columnar . These combine to form specific tissue types such as Simple Squamous (single layer of flat cells), Stratified Squamous (multiple layers of flat cells), and Simple Columnar (single layer of tall cells).
Pseudostratified Columnar epithelium appears to have multiple layers but actually doesn't, while Transitional epithelium can stretch and change shape. Each type of epithelial tissue is specially adapted for its location and function in your body.
🔎 The epithelial tissue lining your respiratory tract (pseudostratified columnar) has tiny hair-like projections called cilia that sweep mucus and trapped particles up and away from your lungs - like a microscopic escalator keeping your airways clean!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI companion is specifically built for the needs of students. Based on the millions of content pieces we have on the platform we can provide truly meaningful and relevant answers to students. But its not only about answers, the companion is even more about guiding students through their daily learning challenges, with personalised study plans, quizzes or content pieces in the chat and 100% personalisation based on the students skills and developments.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app in the Google Play Store and in the Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
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The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
I think it’s very much worth it and you’ll end up using it a lot once you get the hang of it and even after looking at others notes you can still ask your Artificial intelligence buddy the question and ask to simplify it if you still don’t get it!!! In the end I think it’s worth it 😊👍 ⚠️Also DID I MENTION ITS FREEE YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING AND STILL GET YOUR GRADES IN PERFECTLY❗️❗️⚠️
Thomas R
iOS user
Knowunity is the BEST app I’ve used in a minute. This is not an ai review or anything this is genuinely coming from a 7th grade student (I know 2011 im young) but dude this app is a 10/10 i have maintained a 3.8 gpa and have plenty of time for gaming. I love it and my mom is just happy I got good grades
Brad T
Android user
Not only did it help me find the answer but it also showed me alternative ways to solve it. I was horrible in math and science but now I have an a in both subjects. Thanks for the help🤍🤍
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
I found this app a couple years ago and it has only gotten better since then. I really love it because it can help with written questions and photo questions. Also, it can find study guides that other people have made as well as flashcard sets and practice tests. The free version is also amazing for students who might not be able to afford it. Would 100% recommend
Aubrey
iOS user
Best app if you're in Highschool or Junior high. I have been using this app for 2 school years and it's the best, it's good if you don't have anyone to help you with school work.😋🩷🎀
Marco B
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This app is phenomenal down to the correct info and the various topics you can study! I greatly recommend it for people who struggle with procrastination and those who need homework help. It has been perfectly accurate for world 1 history as far as I’ve seen! Geometry too!
Paul T
iOS user