The skin or integumentary system’s function is to protect the body from external risks like microorganisms or potential pathogens that could enter the body. This organ also helps with the thermal insulation that keeps the body temperature stable.
Besides, skin is the organ that perceives touch. The skin feels pain, pressure, heat, abrasion, tingling etc. and transmits these sensations to the central nervous system.
The integumentary system is made up of three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. The epidermis is the external part that acts as a barrier; the dermis, the middle layer, contains sebaceous glands and hair follicles, and the hypodermis is also known as the ‘subcutaneous tissue.’
Some diseases that affect the skin include different varieties of dermatitis (the inflammation of the integumentary system), acne, alopecia, psoriasis, and skin cancer. Related to this last point, there are three types that should be noted: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
