Integumentary System Integumentary System Home > Integumentary System Integumentary System The integumentary system is an organ system consisting of the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands. The skin is only a few millimeters thick yet is by far the largest organ in the body. The average person’s skin weighs 10 pounds and has a surface area of almost 20 square feet. Skin forms the body’s outer covering and forms a barrier to protect the body from chemicals, disease, UV light, and physical damage. Hair and nails extend from the skin to reinforce the skin and protect it from environmental... Move up/down/left/right: Click compass arrows Rotate image: Click and drag in any direction, anywhere in the frame Identify objects: Click on them in the image 2D Interactive 3D Rotate & Zoom Change Anatomical System Female Full Integumentary System Description [Continued from above] . . . damage. The exocrine glands of the integumentary system produce sweat, oil, and wax to cool, protect, and moisturize the skin’s surface.

Anatomy of the Integumentary System Epidermis The epidermis is the most superficial layer of the skin that covers almost the entire body surface. The epidermis rests upon and protects the deeper and thicker dermis layer of the skin. Structurally, the epidermis is only about a tenth of a millimeter thick but is made of 40 to 50 rows of stacked squamous epithelial cells. The epidermis is an avascular region of the body, meaning that it does not contain any blood or blood vessels. The cells of the epidermis receive all of their nutrients via diffusion of fluids from the dermis . The epidermis is made of several specialized types of cells. Almost 90% of the epidermis is made of cells known as keratinocytes. Keratinocytes develop from stem cells at the base of the epidermis and begin to produce and store the protein keratin. Keratin makes the keratinocytes very tough, scaly and water-resistant. At about 8% of epidermal cells, melanocytes form the second most numerous cell type in the epidermis.

Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation and sunburn. Langerhans cells are the third most common cells in the epidermis and make up just over 1% of all epidermal cells. Langerhans cells’ role is to detect and fight pathogens that attempt to enter the body through the skin. Finally, Merkel cells make up less than 1% of all epidermal cells but have the important function of sensing touch. Merkel cells form a disk along the deepest edge of the epidermis where they connect to nerve endings in the dermis to sense light touch. The epidermis in most of the body is arranged into 4 distinct layers. In the palmar surface of the hands and plantar surface of the feet, the skin is thicker than in the rest of the body and there is a fifth layer of epidermis. The deepest region of the epidermis is the stratum basale, which contains the stem cells that reproduce to form all of the other cells of the epidermis. The cells of the stratum basale include cuboidal keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Merkel cells.

Superficial to stratum basale is the stratum spinosum layer where Langerhans cells are found along with many rows of spiny keratinocytes. The spines found here are cellular projections called desmosomes that form between keratinocytes to hold them together and resist friction. Just superficial to the stratum spinosum is the stratum granulosum, where keratinocytes begin to produce waxy lamellar granules to waterproof the skin. The keratinocytes in the stratum granulosum are so far removed from the dermis that they begin to die from lack of nutrients. In the thick skin of the hands and feet, there is a layer of skin superficial to the stratum granulosum known as the stratum lucidum. The stratum lucidum is made of several rows of clear, dead keratinocytes that protect the underlying layers. The outermost layer of skin is the stratum corneum. The stratum corneum is made of many rows of flattened, dead keratinocytes that protect the underlying layers. Dead keratinocytes are constantly being shed from the surface of the stratum corneum and being replaced by cells arriving from the deeper layers.

Dermis The dermis is the deep layer of the skin found under the epidermis. The dermis is mostly made of dense irregular connective tissue along with nervous tissue, blood, and blood vessels. The dermis is much thicker than the epidermis and gives the skin its strength and elasticity. Within the dermis there are two distinct regions: the papillary layer and the reticular layer. The papillary layer is the superficial layer of the dermis that borders on the epidermis. The papillary layer contains many finger-like extensions called dermal papillae that protrude superficially towards the epidermis. The dermal papillae increase the surface area of the dermis and contain many nerves and blood vessels that are projected toward the surface of the skin. Blood flowing through the dermal papillae provide nutrients and oxygen for the cells of the epidermis. The nerves of the dermal papillae are used to feel touch, pain, and temperature through the cells of the epidermis. The deeper layer of the dermis, the reticular layer, is the thicker and tougher part of the dermis.

The reticular layer is made of dense irregular connective tissue that contains many tough collagen and stretchy elastin fibers running in all directions to provide strength and elasticity to the skin. The reticular layer also contains blood vessels to support the skin cells and nerve tissue to sense pressure and pain in the skin. Hypodermis Deep to the dermis is a layer of loose connective tissues known as the hypodermis, subcutis, or subcutaneous tissue. The hypodermis serves as the flexible connection between the skin and the underlying muscles and bones as well as a fat storage area. Areolar connective tissue in the hypodermis contains elastin and collagen fibers loosely arranged to allow the skin to stretch and move independently of its underlying structures. Fatty adipose tissue in the hypodermis stores energy in the form of triglycerides. Adipose also helps to insulate the body by trapping body heat produced by the underlying muscles. Hair Hair is an accessory organ of the skin made of columns of tightly packed dead keratinocytes found in most regions of the body.

The few hairless parts of the body include the palmar surface of the hands, plantar surface of the feet, lips , labia minora , and glans penis . Hair helps to protect the body from UV radiation by preventing sunlight from striking the skin. Hair also insulates the body by trapping warm air around the skin. The structure of hair can be broken down into 3 major parts: the follicle, root, and shaft. The hair follicle is a depression of epidermal cells deep into the dermis. Stem cells in the follicle reproduce to form the keratinocytes that eventually form the hair while melanocytes produce pigment that gives the hair its color. Within the follicle is the hair root, the portion of the hair below the skin’s surface. As the follicle produces new hair, the cells in the root push up to the surface until they exit the skin. The hair shaft consists of the part of the hair that is found outside of the skin. The hair shaft and root are made of 3 distinct layers of cells: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla. The cuticle is the outermost layer made of keratinocytes.

The keratinocytes of the cuticle are stacked on top of each other like shingles so that the outer tip of each cell points away from the body. Under the cuticle are the cells of the cortex that form the majority of the hair’s width. The spindle-shaped and tightly packed cortex cells contain pigments that give the hair its color. The innermost layer of the hair, the medulla, is not present in all hairs. When present, the medulla usually contains highly pigmented cells full of keratin. When the medulla is absent, the cortex continues through the middle of the hair. Nails Nails are accessory organs of the skin made of sheets of hardened keratinocytes and found on the distal ends of the fingers and toes. Fingernails and toenails reinforce and protect the end of the digits and are used for scraping and manipulating small objects. There are 3 main parts of a nail: the root, body, and free edge. The nail root is the portion of the nail found under the surface of the skin. The nail body is the visible external portion of the nail. The free edge is the distal end portion of the nail that has grown beyond the end of the finger or toe.

Nails grow from a deep layer of epidermal tissue known as the nail matrix, which surrounds the nail root. The stem cells of the nail matrix reproduce to form keratinocytes, which in turn produce keratin protein and pack into tough sheets of hardened cells. The sheets of keratinocytes form the hard nail root that slowly grows out of the skin and forms the nail body as it reaches the skin’s surface. The cells of the nail root and nail body are pushed toward the distal end of the finger or toe by new cells being formed in the nail matrix. Under the nail body is a layer of epidermis and dermis known as the nail bed. The nail bed is pink in color due to the presence of capillaries that support the cells of the nail body. The proximal end of the nail near the root forms a whitish crescent shape known as the lunula where a small amount of nail matrix is visible through the nail body. Around the proximal and lateral edges of the nail is the eponychium , a layer of epithelium that overlaps and covers the edge of the nail body. The eponychium helps to seal the edges of the nail to prevent infection of the underlying tissues.

Sudoriferous Glands Sudoriferous glands are exocrine glands found in the dermis of the skin and commonly known as sweat glands. There are 2 major types of sudoriferous glands: eccrine sweat glands and apocrine sweat glands. Eccrine sweat glands are found in almost every region of the skin and produce a secretion of water and sodium chloride. Eccrine sweat is delivered via a duct to the surface of the skin and is used to lower the body’s temperature through evaporative cooling. Apocrine sweat glands are found in mainly in the axillary and pubic regions of the body. The ducts of apocrine sweat glands extend into the follicles of hairs so that the sweat produced by these glands exits the body along the surface of the hair shaft. Apocrine sweat glands are inactive until puberty, at which point they produce a thick, oily liquid that is consumed by bacteria living on the skin. The digestion of apocrine sweat by bacteria produces body odor. Sebaceous Glands Sebaceous glands are exocrine glands found in the dermis of the skin that produce an oily secretion known as sebum.

Sebaceous glands are found in every part of the skin except for the thick skin of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Sebum is produced in the sebaceous glands and carried through ducts to the surface of the skin or to hair follicles. Sebum acts to waterproof and increase the elasticity of the skin. Sebum also lubricates and protects the cuticles of hairs as they pass through the follicles to the exterior of the body. Ceruminous Glands Ceruminous glands are special exocrine glands found only in the dermis of the ear canals. Ceruminous glands produce a waxy secretion known as cerumen to protect the ear canals and lubricate the eardrum . Cerumen protects the ears by trapping foreign material such as dust and airborne pathogens that enter the ear canal . Cerumen is made continuously and slowly pushes older cerumen outward toward the exterior of the ear canal where it falls out of the ear or is manually removed. Physiology of the Integumentary System Keratinization Keratinization, also known as cornification, is the process of keratin accumulating within keratinocytes.

Keratinocytes begin their life as offspring of the stem cells of the stratum basale. Young keratinocytes have a cuboidal shape and contain almost no keratin protein at all. As the stem cells multiply, they push older keratinocytes towards the surface of the skin and into the superficial layers of the epidermis. By the time keratinocytes reach the stratum spinosum, they have begun to accumulate a significant amount of keratin and have become harder, flatter, and more water resistant. As the keratinocytes reach the stratum granulosum, they have become much flatter and are almost completely filled with keratin. At this point the cells are so far removed from the nutrients that diffuse from the blood vessels in the dermis that the cells go through the process of apoptosis. Apoptosis is programmed cell death where the cell digests its own nucleus and organelles, leaving only a tough, keratin-filled shell behind. Dead keratinocytes moving into the stratum lucidum and stratum corneum are very flat, hard, and tightly packed so as to form a keratin barrier to protect the underlying tissues.

Temperature Homeostasis Being the body’s outermost organ, the skin is able to regulate the body’s temperature by controlling how the body interacts with its environment. In the case of the body entering a state of hyperthermia, the skin is able to reduce body temperature through sweating and vasodilation. Sweat produced by sudoriferous glands delivers water to the surface of the body where it begins to evaporate. The evaporation of sweat absorbs heat and cools the body’s surface. Vasodilation is the process through which smooth muscle lining the blood vessels in the dermis relax and allow more blood to enter the skin. Blood transports heat through the body, pulling heat away from the body’s core and depositing it in the skin where it can radiate out of the body and into the external environment. In the case of the body entering a state of hypothermia, the skin is able to raise body temperature through the contraction of arrector pili muscles and through vasoconstriction. The follicles of hairs have small bundles of smooth muscle attached to their base called arrector pili muscles.

The arrector pili form goose bumps by contracting to move the hair follicle and lifting the hair shaft upright from the surface of the skin. This movement results in more air being trapped under the hairs to insulate the surface of the body. Vasoconstriction is the process of smooth muscles in the walls of blood vessels in the dermis contracting to reduce the flood of blood to the skin. Vasoconstriction permits the skin to cool while blood stays in the body’s core to maintain heat and circulation in the vital organs. Vitamin D Synthesis Vitamin D, an essential vitamin necessary for the absorption of calcium from food, is produced by ultraviolet (UV) light striking the skin. The stratum basale and stratum spinosum layers of the epidermis contain a sterol molecule known as 7-dehydrocholesterol. When UV light present in sunlight or tanning bed lights strikes the skin, it penetrates through the outer layers of the epidermis and strikes some of the molecules of 7-dehydrocholesterol, converting it into vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is converted in the kidneys into calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D.

Protection The skin provides protection to its underlying tissues from pathogens, mechanical damage, and UV light. Pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, are unable to enter the body through unbroken skin due to the outermost layers of epidermis containing an unending supply of tough, dead keratinocytes. This protection explains the necessity of cleaning and covering cuts and scrapes with bandages to prevent infection. Minor mechanical damage from rough or sharp objects is mostly absorbed by the skin before it can damage the underlying tissues. Epidermal cells reproduce constantly to quickly repair any damage to the skin. Melanocytes in the epidermis produce the pigment melanin, which absorbs UV light before it can pass through the skin. UV light can cause cells to become cancerous if not blocked from entering the body. Skin Color Human skin color is controlled by the interaction of 3 pigments: melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Melanin is a brown or black pigment produced by melanocytes to protect the skin from UV radiation. Melanin gives skin its tan or brown coloration and provides the color of brown or black hair. Melanin production increases as the skin is exposed to higher levels of UV light resulting in tanning of the skin.

Carotene is another pigment present in the skin that produces a yellow or orange cast to the skin and is most noticeable in people with low levels of melanin. Hemoglobin is another pigment most noticeable in people with little melanin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment found in red blood cells, but can be seen through the layers of the skin as a light red or pink color. Hemoglobin is most noticeable in skin coloration during times of vasodilation when the capillaries of the dermis are open to carry more blood to the skin’s surface. Cutaneous Sensation The skin allows the body to sense its external environment by picking up signals for touch, pressure, vibration, temperature, and pain. Merkel disks in the epidermis connect to nerve cells in the dermis to detect shapes and textures of objects contacting the skin. Corpuscles of touch are structures found in the dermal papillae of the dermis that also detect touch by objects contacting the skin. Lamellar corpuscles found deep in the dermis sense pressure and vibration of the skin. Throughout the dermis there are many free nerve endings that are simply neurons with their dendrites spread throughout the dermis.

Free nerve endings may be sensitive to pain, warmth, or cold. The density of these sensory receptors in the skin varies throughout the body, resulting in some regions of the body being more sensitive to touch, temperature, or pain than other regions. Excretion In addition to secreting sweat to cool the body, eccrine sudoriferous glands of the skin also excrete waste products out of the body. Sweat produced by eccrine sudoriferous glands normally contains mostly water with many electrolytes and a few other trace chemicals. The most common electrolytes found in sweat are sodium and chloride, but potassium, calcium, and magnesium ions may be excreted as well. When these electrolytes reach high levels in the blood, their presence in sweat also increases, helping to reduce their presence within the body. In addition to electrolytes, sweat contains and helps to excrete small amounts of metabolic waste products such as lactic acid, urea, uric acid, and ammonia. Finally, eccrine sudoriferous glands can help to excrete alcohol from the body of someone who has been drinking alcoholic beverages. Alcohol causes vasodilation in the dermis, leading to increased perspiration as more blood reaches sweat glands.

The alcohol in the blood is absorbed by the cells of the sweat glands, causing it to be excreted along with the other components of sweat. Prepared by Tim Taylor, Anatomy and Physiology Instructor Drilling Down on Body Piercing Health Issues | The Huffington Post Drilling Down on Body Piercing Health Issues 05/21/2012 10:36 am ET | Updated Jul 21, 2012 150 Glenn D. Braunstein, M.D. As a canvas for self-expression, the human body has few limits: Just walk into any coffee house or hip lounge and you will see patrons with tongues adorned with metal studs, earlobes "gauged" (plugged) with holes the size of quarters, maybe even a neck or temple bedazzled with microdermal anchors. Microdermal anchors, also called single-point piercings or microdermal piercings, are relatively new and look as if jewelry is screwed directly into the body. The piercing includes a titanium anchor that is implanted with a dermal punch or needle underneath the skin, with a protruding step into which interchangeable jewelry can be screwed.

And to think parents once freaked out over Mohawks and pink hair? Well, like it or not Mom and Dad, piercings from head to toe -- and pretty much everywhere in between -- have gone mainstream. No longer just a fashion or social statement of gangs, bohemians and cults, an estimated 36 percent of Americans , more women than men, sport at least one piercing somewhere other than an earlobe. For young adults -- those dubbed Millennials -- that number is one-in-four, according to a recent Pew Research study. Other research suggests the figure is as high as 56 percent for those between the ages of 17 and 25. Just because body piercing is popular, though, doesn't mean it's risk-free or well regulated. Complications Minor, Sometimes Serious Complications -- usually minor but sometimes serious and on rare occasion, life threatening -- occur in 17 percent to 35 percent of all body piercings, research shows. Problems most often are the result of a lack of experience or hygienic practice of the practitioner, materials used or a lack of proper aftercare by the recipient. Also, each piercing site on the body carries its own specific set of potential risks.

Overall, the most common issues are: infection, allergic reactions, swelling, bleeding, scarring, pain and slow healing time. Infection occurs in up to 20 percent of piercings . Typically, it is minor and localized at the site of the piercing. But in rare instances infection spreads to the entire body and can lead to life threatening complications, such as a brain abscess or endorcarditis (an infection of the inner lining of the heart). The navel is among the sites at greatest risk for infection because of increased skin moisture and the friction caused by rubbing against clothes. Tongues also are more infection-prone, due to of the high levels of bacteria in the mouth. Between 2002 and 2008, an estimated 24,459 patients visited emergency rooms with oral piercing-related injuries, mostly infection and mucosal overgrowth. Chips, Wrecking Ball Fractures A small amount of blood is normal with any piercing, but hemorrhaging can be a serious, albeit infrequent, complication. This risk is greatest with penile and tongue piercings, because these appendages have numerous small blood vessels.

The most common complications connected to tongue piercings, however, are the bane of dentists: receding gums (gingivitis) and chips and fractures of teeth . Chips and fractures are caused by the pervasive habit of knocking, clacking, biting, clenching, or tapping jewelry against the teeth. Other issues include, eating problems, speech impediment, drooling, taste loss and scarring. It's not unusual for the tongue to swell after being punctured, but in some cases the tongue swells so much that it can cut off breathing. In rare instances, a doctor may have to pass a breathing tube through a patient's nose until the swelling goes down. No surprise, piercing ornaments have also been accidentally ingested. Those with oral piercing must learn to chew differently to avoid biting on the piercing. Tongue-piercing balls can easily get caught between teeth and cause damage. Dentists often refer to this as the wrecking-ball fracture. Both tongue and nasal piercings can also become embedded and require surgical removal. A recent Mayo Clinic study among college students suggests that a tongue piercing may prove to be more trouble than it's worth. About half the participants who had tongue piercings eventually let them close.

Piercings of the ear cartilage can result in disfigurement if serious infection develops. The cartilage can collapse, leaving a "cauliflower ear" appearance. Repair requires delicate plastic surgery and accompanying treatment that can involve steroid injections. Plastic surgery also may be the remedy when it comes to restoring earlobes that have been stretched and gauged with large holes from ear expanders. This will depend, in part, how big the holes are. Other site specific hazards: The Prince Albert , the most common male genital piercing that perforates the urinary meatus and corona, may affect urinary flow; nasal piercings may cause septal hematomas, edema and extra mucous formation. Trendy -- and Historic Despite the recent explosion of body piercing among youth, men, women and children have practiced piercing across the globe for thousands of years . Even some of today's seemingly extreme, alternative trends have historic roots. Ancient Mayans, for example, stretched their earlobes to accommodate gauges and ear expanders, also called earplugs. In Zulu culture , earplugs were part of a coming-of-age ceremony, symbolizing a child's ears opening to an adult understanding of life.

Lip piercing was embraced by Alaskan Eskimos up to the late 19th century to exhibit social status. One liability early piercing aficionados didn't worry about was setting off airport metal detectors. While their modern-day counterparts are likely aware of that potential scenario, they may not know that piercings also can interfere with medical procedures . Jewelry left in place during an MRI, for example, can distort the image or even injure the patient. It can disrupt or cause burns during surgery with electrocautery, a procedure that uses an electrical current and can create difficulty with the placement of medical devices such as a cervical collar or urinary catheter. Patients should remove jewelry before these procedures, but in cases of emergencies, removal can pose difficulty for medical personnel: removing microdermal anchors is challenging because an incision is required to take out the implant. Athletes should remove jewelry before playing contact sports. Wearing a mouth guard and tongue jewelry is hazardous, warns the Academy of General Dentistry. Jewelry can interfere with the mouth guard and cause excessive saliva and gagging or hinder breathing or speech. Women are advised to remove navel piercings during pregnancy . Abdominal distension can cause rejection of the jewelry, migration and stretch marks.

Other well-known potential risks of body piercing include: transmission of blood borne infections like hepatitis; scarring, including keloids and allergic reactions. The most prevalent allergic reaction is to nickel, though silver jewelry can cause poisoning in which leaching of silver salts discolors the skin. Skin tears, caused by jewelry catching on objects like clothing, are common, too. Care in Personal Choices Who shouldn't undergo the piercing needle? Those with compromised immune systems or who take blood-thinning medication should refrain from body piercing, as they are at a higher-risk for infection or bleeding. Pregnant women or those seeking to get pregnant, should refrain, as well. Those with heart conditions may be advised against piercing, though opinions on this vary, so be sure to check with your cardiologist. After assessing the risks, if you still decide to get pierced, don't do it yourself. This isn't a haircut. Find an experienced professional. Unlike some countries in Europe, regulations here vary from state to state, even county to county. In Los Angeles , piercers must hold a county health permit, administer client questionnaires, be vaccinated, receive blood-borne pathogen training and maintain sanitary conditions; here piercers may perform microdermals.

But in several states, including Florida , Nevada and New Jersey they may not. Medical boards in those jurisdictions have declared dermal punches, the tool most commonly used in the procedure, to be medical equipment that may only be used by physicians. Minors legally may not get body piercings without written parental consent in 31 states, including California. But for those of age, only you can decide whether body piercing is a pain worth the gain. Beauty, as we all know, is in the eye of the beholder. As I've written regarding tattoos , while I offer no moral nor aesthetic judgment to would-be piercers, they should just be aware that today's trendy practices change in a blink. And while most piercings will close over time, there are medical risks to sticking needles and objects in the body and these may leave long, even a lifetime of regrets for a passing fancy. More: Articles Articles Glossary Success Stories I just love IDI! After my Photodamage and Aging class, I feel like I am on my way to being a far more educated professional. Marissa What Causes Skin Aging? by Dr. Diana Howard Wrinkles, altered pigmentation, loss of skin tone… we all associate these changes with skin aging.

Age-related skin changes are the result of genetically programmed changes (intrinsic factors) and environmental wear-and-tear on the skin (extrinsic factors). While both influence the skin’s structure and function, extrinsic factors cause more pronounced changes. Estimates state that 80-99% of what we see on our skin as adults is the result of exposure to daylight, which is referred to as photoaging. Manifestations of photoaging include an increase in wrinkle formation, a loss of tension and elasticity, degeneration of the vascular supply and skin thickness, hyperpigmentation and other skin discoloration, dilated capillaries (telangiectasis) and a reduction in the water-binding properties of the skin. While scientists attribute the majority of these structural changes to exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, it has only been in recent years that they have come to understand the actual biochemical triggers that instigate these changes. These are the chemical reactions that occur within the skin and include: Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), also known as free radicals. Activation of Metalloproteinase enzymes (Matrix Metalloproteinase or MMPs) with a subsequent decline in collagen biosynthesis. Glycation leading to Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs).

Let’s look at these individually and see how they are interrelated. Generation of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) include oxygen ions, free radicals and peroxides. ROS are generally very small molecules and are highly reactive due to the presence of unpaired electrons. They form as a natural by-product of the normal metabolism of oxygen. During times of environmental stress, ROS levels can increase dramatically, causing significant damage to cell structures. This is known as oxidative stress, which is the major cause of degenerative disorders including aging and disease. Studies have shown that UV-induced damage to the skin is in part caused by Reactive Oxygen Species. Lipid peroxidation also results from ROS damage to cell membranes, leading to premature aging, skin cancer and cell death. Activation of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) Matrix Metalloproteinases are enzymes that, when activated, control tissue degradation in the dermis. MMPs include collagenase that specifically decomposes particular collagens or other proteins in the extracellular matrix of the dermis. Collagenase is really a group of enzymes that are responsible for breaking down the different types of collagen and elastin.

For example, collagenase-1, or MMP-1, acts on collagens I, II, III, VII and X. MMP-1 cleaves the triple helix strand of collagen into smaller fragments that spontaneously denature into gelatinous peptides that are further degraded by other MMPs. This activity makes the MMPs critical for the remodeling of connective tissue, which is an integral part of aging and wound healing. Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs) How does photoaging lead to cross-linking of collagen and elastin in our skin? Exciting new research has contributed to our understanding of this critical step in aging. We now know that collagen and elastin proteins are highly susceptible to an internal chemical reaction within the body called glycation. This is a non-enzyme mediated reaction that takes place between free amino groups in proteins and a sugar such as glucose. The same glucose that provides energy for our cells can react with proteins (such as collagen), resulting in the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products and Reactive Oxygen Species; these contribute to cross-linking of protein fibers, the loss of elasticity and changes in the dermis associated with the aging process.

When AGEs form in the skin, they activate a receptor site and form a complex known as Receptor-AGE (R-AGE) that signals cellular processes related to inflammation and subsequent disease. Why is this so important? Because we now know that inflammation is the catalyst critical to the aging process and many diseases. For example, diabetics have characteristically high levels of sugar in their blood and suffer from numerous health issues (including cataracts, atherosclerosis, etc.), which emanate from the formation of AGEs in the body. Hence, diabetes is considered a disease of accelerated aging due to the inflammation that arises from the formation of AGEs. This is not restricted to diabetes; muscle weakness, heart disease and many diseases of the brain are associated with glycation. Scientists now believe that reducing glycation is a means of slowing the aging process and disease formation. The Biochemical Phenomena While free radical formation and the activation of Matrix Metalloproteinase enzymes have been studied quite extensively over the past decade, the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products is now one of the hottest areas of research for understanding not only how the skin ages, but for determining the mechanism of disease formation in the human body.

At The International Dermal Institute, we maintain that it is the combination of these three phenomena that are responsible for the aging skin condition. While it may seem like these three biochemical phenomena are isolated occurrences in the skin, it is important to note their connection and the influence they have on each other. Tags: Articles Articles Ancient Diagnosis, Modern Results! by Jane Wurwand Western medicine believes that each organ of the human body is separate from one another, leaving its specialists to practice in each of the different fields. But the Chinese see the body as a whole, where each organ is related to each other. For example, the lungs and skin, liver and eyes, kidneys and ears and stomach and muscles are all sister organs. And it is the whole being, and notably, the cause, that is treated and not just the symptoms, which is typical in Western medicine. In addition, a health problem may not just be physical, as the Chinese believe that a mental or spiritual imbalance could be the cause. Presenting a subject such as Chinese diagnosis offers an alternative and does not mean that one method is right or wrong. But it does give skin therapists a different way of looking at skin analysis and the consultation, and it allows an understanding of the client from a well-rounded perspective.

The Basics of Chinese Medicine The earliest book on Chinese medical theory, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Classic, otherwise known as Nei Jing, by Kwang-Ti, dates back to around 2500 B.C. This book describes how the Chinese view symptoms in relation to the whole body, not as isolated problems to be dealt with on an individual basis. Western medicine starts with a symptom, then it searches for a cause, then it determines a specific disease. But Chinese medicine looks for the disharmony of natural body energy and does not seek a specific disease. The Chinese method is, therefore, holistic, based on the idea that no single part can be understood except in relation to the whole. The essential ideas of Chinese medicine are simple. They form a basis of discussion of “what’s going on” in the body. They define the basic landscape of the body as: Chi: Also known as Qi this is our basic life force and energy, which is formed from maternal energy in the prenatal state then replenished by food and breath. It directs and determines the body’s energy state, and it is predominantly either Yin (passive) or Yang (active) in nature. It flows through the entire body via the meridian network.

Blood: A liquid, Yin in nature that nourishes and maintains the body parts. Jing: Translated as essence of the body. Supportive and nutritive, it is the basis of reproduction, growth, ripening and withering. Ongoing development through life corresponds to changes in the body’s Jing. Shen: Best translated as Spirit, an elusive concept in the medical tradition. Human personality and consciousness indicate the presence of Shen, which is the capacity to form ideas and the desire to live life. Shen is Yang in nature. Fluids: These are bodily liquids other than blood and include sweat, urine, gastric juices and saliva. Their function is to moisten and lubricate the hair, skin, membranes, orifices, muscles, organs and flesh. Balancing the Meridians So far, we’ve learned that Chinese analysis looks at the person as an entire being, not separate as in Western medicine. In Chinese medicine, practitioners treat the cause of a problem, whereas those in Western medicine treat the symptoms. Two elements are incorporated into Chinese diagnosis: the constitution of the person – this being the current condition, which varies each day, month and year – and balance.

The body needs balance; we do not want to be ecstatically energetic or tired, happy or depressed. If we are in perfect balance, then we are in perfect health. Chinese Facial Skin Analysis In traditional Chinese medicine, the face is an indicator of health or disease. By studying skin conditions and changes, we can determine inner imbalances and stressed areas of the body. Because each area of the face is said to relate to an internal body area, disharmony in that internal area will, in turn, lead to a change in the complexion, texture or moisture of the corresponding facial area. In general, red, pustular breakouts are indicative of Yang-type energy, and oily, comedone-prone breakouts are indicative of Yin-type energy. Lines indicate a long-term imbalance or stress, while breakouts indicate a more short-term imbalance or stress. The following information is not intended for medical diagnosis, but merely to illustrate the Chinese approach to facial diagnosis. This information is to be used by the professional skin therapist to provide answers and understanding as to why certain skin problems can manifest on the skin if all Western causes have been considered and provided no help. Do not ever attempt to diagnose a client's health condition. Forehead: Linked to digestion.

The upper forehead is linked to the bladder and the lower forehead links to the intestines. Check the client’s elimination habits, noting any constipation. Eyebrows: Linked to the adrenal glands. Coarse hair of the eyebrows indicates adrenal stress, with thick eyebrows being Yang and thin eyebrows being Yin. The adrenal glands are our fight or flight response and secrete over 40 hormones and steroids. Overactive adrenal glands are commonly linked with stress, and lines stemming from the start of the eyebrow are linked with long-term adrenal stress and may correlate with tightness in the shoulder area, which is a referred pain area (pain felt near the site of origin not on it). Eyes: Linked with the liver. Large eyes, eyes set wide apart, long eyelashes and white showing underneath the iris of the eye are Yin. Eyes that are small and close together are Yang. Eyelid allergies are linked with allergies and lung stress. Between the Eyes: Linked with the liver. Check the client for a history of hepatitis, jaundice and/or liver stress. A diet that is high in fat, and eating late, may cause this area to show sensitization or flaking. Deep lines from liver stress may also be visible.

This is commonly known as the wine and dine area. Under the Eyes: Linked with the kidneys. Eyes may be puffy (Yin) or darker (Yang). If a client suffers puffiness and fluid retention, she or he needs to improve water intake. Grittiness under the eyes links with an excess of uric acid, common in Yin energy types. A pale white appearance of the inner lid indicates Yin energy, while a red inner lid area indicates Yang energy. Nose: Linked with the lungs. Naturally large and open nostrils indicate strong lungs. Smaller or flaring nostrils indicate lung stress, allergies and asthma. A long nose is more Yin, and a small nose, pointing upward, is more Yang. Numerous comedones and oiliness over the nose indicate Yin energy, which is prone to colds and bronchitis. Redness, broken capillaries and puffiness over the nose indicate Yang energy, which is prone to allergies, respiratory stress and sinus problems (hay fever, sensitivity to smoke, etc.). Cheeks: Linked with the lung area. Broken capillaries across the upper cheeks indicate a tendency to allergies and sinus congestion.

Pustular breakouts in line with the teeth may indicate sinus or gum inflammation and infection. Comedones and congestion beneath the surface indicate a Yin condition, while red, inflamed, pustular breakouts indicate a more Yang condition. Mouth: Linked with the stomach and large intestine. The upper lip and cracking/dry lips are Yang and link with stomach/gastric stress. A turned upper lip indicates stomach acid, indigestion or a nervous stomach (Yang). The lower lip links with the large intestine, and a pouty, full lower lip links with constipation and poor elimination (Yin). Chin: Linked with the reproductive organs. Breakouts in this area are often associated with the menstrual cycle in women. Micro-comedones are often present at the sides of the chin and may erupt into papules or pustules at the onset of menstruation. Skin Therapy and Chinese Medicine While skin therapists cannot legally treat disease, we can definitely use Chinese medicine as a way to treat any factors that go along with a disease or health problem.

Knowing the medical problems of a client, combined with your knowledge of the body through the Chinese eye, can not only make the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions that much easier, but your client will appreciate the unusual approach and understand just how much you view skin care as a matter of health. Take the opportunity to not only treat your clients’ skin issues, but restore balance to their bodies as well. To learn how to conduct a complete skin analysis using Chinese Diagnosis, join us for our Chinese Diagnosis class at The International Dermal Institute. Tags: Dermal Fillers - Wrinkle Treatments - Professional Beauty Treatments - Skin Care - Beauty & Personal Care - Sharecare A Dr. Arthur W. Perry, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered Cosmoderm is a human collagen wrinkle filler. It was introduced in an attempt to decrease the allergic reactions to cow collagen. Made from human skin tissue that is grown in a laboratory, Cosmoderm is strengthened by the chemical glutaraldehyde. It is made from dead humans. There is no way to sugarcoat that fact. And there is no way to assure with total certainty that a disease will not be passed along from the dead donor to the recipient of the collagen.

Still, infectious diseases such as acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or hepatitis, West Nile virus, or Cruetzfeld-Jacob disease (the human mad cow disease) have never resulted from a Cosmoderm injection. On the other hand, every type of tissue ever transplanted from one human to another has eventually been linked to infectious disease transmission. Hepatitis C has been passed along, even when the organ donor tested negative! Diseases that we can't even test for yet might be in the tissue. There has been one death and at least two dozen serious infections from the transplantation of other types of contaminated tissue from one person to another. Find out more about this book: A Dr. Shirley M. Madhere, MD , Plastic Surgery, answered I know what you may be thinking, but lips don't have to have that look! Restylane and other suitable injectable fillers are used to augment and enhance the shape and volume of the lips. Ideally, the result should be in harmony with your specific facial aesthetics and consistent with your own contours.

The point of lip augmentation may not necessarily be to give you what you don't have, but perhaps to accentuate what you do like about your lips as well as to better define your natural lip anatomy. I believe that attention to the lips is a part of a holistic plan for facial rejuvenation. Have you considered improving the shape and fill of your lips? Follow me and let me know! A HealthyWomen answered Restylane and Perlane are soft-tissue fillers used to reduce moderate to severe wrinkles around the nose and mouth. The active ingredient is a synthetic form of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar found in human skin that forms part of the matrix holding skin cells together. It is also a component in collagen. These products attract water like a sponge, filling and plumping the tissue. Perlane contains more hyaluronic acid and therefore works better for filling deep lines, while Restylane is used in fine lines or in thin-skinned people. One injection is needed for 6 to 12 months of effectiveness, depending on the patient and the area being treated.

The Skin (Human Anatomy): Picture, Definition, Function, and Skin Conditions The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone. The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue. The skin’s color is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis. Skin Conditions Rash : Nearly any change in the skin’s appearance can be called a rash. Most rashes are from simple skin irritation; others result from medical conditions. Dermatitis : A general term for inflammation of the skin. Atopic dermatitis (a type of eczema) is the most common form. Eczema : Skin inflammation (dermatitis) causing an itchy rash. Most often, it’s due to an overactive immune system. Psoriasis : An autoimmune condition that can cause a variety of skin rashes. Silver, scaly plaques on the skin are the most common form.

Dandruff : A scaly condition of the scalp may be caused by seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema. Acne : The most common skin condition, acne affects over 85% of people at some time in life. Cellulitis : Inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous tissues, usually due to an infection. A red, warm, often painful skin rash generally results. Skin abscess (boil or furuncle): A localized skin infection creates a collection of pus under the skin. Some abscesses must be opened and drained by a doctor in order to be cured. Rosacea : A chronic skin condition causing a red rash on the face. Rosacea may look like acne, and is poorly understood. Warts : A virus infects the skin and causes the skin to grow excessively, creating a wart. Warts may be treated at home with chemicals, duct tape, or freezing, or removed by a physician. Melanoma : The most dangerous type of skin cancer, melanoma results from sun damage and other causes. A skin biopsy can identify melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma : The most common type of skin cancer.

Basal cell carcinoma is less dangerous than melanoma because it grows and spreads more slowly. Seborrheic keratosis : A benign, often itchy growth that appears like a “stuck-on” wart. Seborrheic keratoses may be removed by a physician, if bothersome. Actinic keratosis : A crusty or scaly bump that forms on sun-exposed skin. Actinic keratoses can sometimes progress to cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma : A common form of skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma may begin as an ulcer that won’t heal, or an abnormal growth. It usually develops in sun-exposed areas. Herpes : The herpes viruses HSV-1 and HSV-2 can cause periodic blisters or skin irritation around the lips or the genitals. Hives : Raised, red, itchy patches on the skin that arise suddenly. Hives usually result from an allergic reaction. Tinea versicolor : A benign fungal skin infection creates pale areas of low pigmentation on the skin. Viral exantham : Many viral infections can cause a red rash affecting large areas of the skin. This is especially common in children.

Shingles (herpes zoster): Caused by the chickenpox virus, shingles is a painful rash on one side of the body. A new adult vaccine can prevent shingles in most people. Scabies : Tiny mites that burrow into the skin cause scabies. An intensely itchy rash in the webs of fingers, wrists, elbows, and buttocks is typical of scabies. Ringworm : A fungal skin infection (also called tinea). The characteristic rings it creates are not due to worms. Continued Skin Tests Skin biopsy : A piece of skin is removed and examined under a microscope to identify a skin condition. Skin testing (allergy testing): Extracts of common substances (such as pollen) are applied to the skin, and any allergic reactions are observed. Tuberculosis skin test (purified protein derivative or PPD): Proteins from the tuberculosis (TB) bacteria are injected under the skin. In someone who’s had TB, the skin becomes firm. Skin Treatments Corticosteroids (steroids): Medicines that reduce immune system activity may improve dermatitis. Topical steroids are most often used. Antibiotics : Medicines that can kill the bacteria causing cellulitis and other skin infections.

Antiviral drugs : Medicines can suppress the activity of the herpes virus, reducing symptoms. Antifungal drugs : Topical creams can cure most fungal skin infections. Occasionally, oral medicines may be needed. Antihistamines : Oral or topical medicines can block histamine, a substance that causes itching. Skin surgery : Most skin cancers must be removed by surgery. Immune modulators : Various drugs can modify the activity of the immune system, improving psoriasis or other forms of dermatitis. Skin moisturizers (emollients): Dry skin is more likely to become irritated and itchy. Moisturizers can reduce symptoms of many skin conditions. WebMD Image Collection Reviewed by Varnada Karriem-Norwood, MD on November 16, 2014 Sources ATSDR - Organ Systems and the Chemicals that Affect Them - Dermal (Skin) Toxicological and Health Professionals Dermal (Skin) The skin that covers your body is called the dermal system. The skin is the barrier that protects the body from hazardous substances in the environment. Also, skin helps keep the body from losing electrolytes and fluids. Skin is the body's largest organ.

It is made up of several parts: the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, and hair, hair follicles, nails, sebaceous and sweat glands, and other skin structures. Click on a substance to go to the health effects chapter in the toxicological profile. Then, search on any target organ system to find the health effects information on that system. Substances Listing

Question: In the human body, what does dermal relate to?
Answer: The skin