3-3. THE INTEGUMENT PROPER
The integument proper is the outermost layer of the human body. It is
usually known as the skin. The skin has two layers--the superficial or outer layer called
the epidermis and the deeper or inner layer called the dermis.
a. The Epidermis. The epidermis is a stratified squamous
epithelium. This means that it is made up of several layers of cells, the outermost being
flat-type epithelial cells.
(1) The outer layers of the epidermis include cells which are transparent,
flattened, dead, and without nuclei. These hardened cells of the outermost layers are
completely filled with keratin and are known as cornified cells. These dead flat cells in
the outermost layers resemble scales. Day by day, these cells are scraped away or just
fall away from the body. They are replaced by cells from the intermediate layers.
(2) In the intermediate layers of the epidermis, the cells change their
shapes. As the cells move towards the surface, they gain granules, begin to manufacture a
hardening material called keratin, and lose their nuclei.
(3) The innermost layer of the epidermis is especially important because
it is the source of all the other layers of the epidermis. It is known as the basal or
germinative layer. The cells of this layer are capable of multiplication (mitosis). Its
basic structure is a single layer of columnar-type epithelial cells.
b. The Dermis (Dermal Layer). The dermis is the layer of the skin
lying just beneath the epidermis. It is dense FCT consisting of white and yellow fibers.
This layer in animal hides is used to make leather. The dermis has finger-like projections
called papillae. These papillae extend into the epidermis and keep the dermis and
epidermis from sliding on each other. The dermal layer includes blood vessels, lymph
vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and glands.
