Savannah Kruse

September 30, 2016

Anatomy 5th Period
Integumentary System Lab Report Book 180-193
Introduction
The Integumentary System consists of skin structures and tissues, which cover
and protect the entirety of the surface of the body. There are several layers and
structures within the skin, (See Figure 1) each of which serves its own specialized
purpose. The two main divisions of the skin are the epidermis and dermis, which are
divided by a structure called the basement membrane. The epidermis, which is
superficial stratified epithelial tissue, consists of the stratum basale, stratum spinosum,
stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum, with other structures that
pass through its cells. The stratum basale is made up of cells that produce pigment
(melanocytes), keratin (keratinocytes), microbial antigens (Langerhans), and nerve
fibers (Merkle). As new skin cells are produced, they undergo a process called
keratinization/apoptosis, or cell death, as they work their way to the surface and are
replaced with newer cells. The dermis consists of a deeper papillary layer and reticular
layer, with hair follicles, capillary networks with blood vessels, and various glands within
each. Sebaceous glands produce oil, pacinian corpuscles detect pressure, meissners
corpuscles detect touch, sudoriferous glands produce sweat and include apocrine
glands that produce odor, as well as eccrine glands that produce water. Below the
dermis is the subcutaneous layer, also referred to as the hypodermis, and consists of
layers of adipose, or fat tissue.
Eccrine Sweat Glands are essential components of temperature regulation in
integumentary homeostasis. Being the most numerous sweat glands within the body,
sudoriferous eccrine glands respond to the temperature which either increases due to
environment or physical exercise. Fluids consisting of water, salts, urea, and uric acid
are transported to the surface to cool the skin. An investigation of the density these
glands in certain areas of the body and revealed that areas triggered by intense
physical activity had the highest density (See Figure 2). For example, there were 475
glands/cm^2 on the ventral forearm, as opposed to 142 glands/cm^2 in the palmar
region. The procedure consisted of applying iodine to the skin surface and placing a
1cm x 1cm square of bond paper to the surface of the skin for an undesignated amount
of time, until microscopic dark spots began to appear on the sheet. Each dark spot
represented an individual sweat gland on the skins surface in different locations. The
issue was that as a class, averages were inaccurate as there were very few constants
in the lab. Due to individual genetics, miscounts, and the fact that the lab was only
conducted once, left much room for error in the results and the inability to determine a
constant. A study of the temperature regulation on certain areas of the body was also
done, in which a baseline temperature temperature was taken, followed by temperature
taken after ice had been placed on the surface for 30 seconds, and finishing with a
recovery temperature taken after 2 minutes. Surfaces tested included the palm,
forearm, and neck. Data for each was recorded and revealed that in most cases,

temperature had returned to normal, if not higher, after the two minute recovery period
(See Figure 3). Thermoregulation was more rapid to areas that are considered core
location, such as the neck, and as would those areas of the axial region, due to
vascularity. Locations on the appendicular region, however, did not recover temperature
as quickly.
Touch receptors in the skin, particularly Meissners Corpuscles, are essential
components of daily lives and allow humans to detect contact on the skins surface. A
two-point tactile discrimination lab was completed to demonstrate personal distinctions
to protractor contact (See Figure 4a). Due to personal inability to detect a majority of
touches, pressure receptors such as Pacinian Corpuscles were important in completing
this task. The difference in contact recognition was generally even in many locations,
but there were a few outliers in the data set (See Figure 4b). The functions of these
receptors are important to survival and serve a vital purpose.
Melanoma is the cancerification of melanocytes in the skin, and is the fastest
growing skin cancer worldwide (See Figure 5). Exposure to Ultraviolet and other forms
of radiation can result in the mutation of these pigment-producing sites. As a result,
tumors that begin as moles begin to form and if not treated, can grow into dangerous
malignant tumors which can be fatal. Causes can also be genetic, as certain genes can
become activated in the cell cycle and lead to overproduction of mutates tumor cells
that overpower normal cells. It is also proven the pigment itself is also a huge factor in
the contraction of the disease. As skin pigment darkens, the risk of developing
melanoma decreases. There are several preventative measures that may be taken, but
if it has already taken root, surgical removal or chemotherapy may be necessary to
prevent worse damage.

Figure 1. Transverse section of human scalp under light micrograph 400x zoom.
Histology of human skin structures. Photo by author. September 27, 2016.

Figure 2. Eccrine Sweat Gland Density Chart. Data collected during Eccrine Sweat
Gland Density Lab. Visually describes approximate number of sweat glands per square
centimeter for certain areas. Chart and Data by Author. September 26, 2016.

Figure 3. Recovery Rates of Skin Temperatures after application of ice, as well as after
2 minutes to return to baseline. Thermograms maintain homeostasis of skin
temperature and use a positive feedback loop until the temperature is returned to
normal. Includes Individual and Class Averages. Graph and Data by Author. October 3,
2016.

Figure 4a: Two-Point Discrimination Data Bar Graph. Shows distance of two point
discrimination of all areas tested during Two-Point Discrimination Lab. Graph and Data
by Author. October 7, 2016.

Figure 4b: Results of minimal and maximal values within two-point discrimination study.
Emphasises the difference between the left and right sides of each location tested.
Graph and data by author. October 8, 2016.

Figure 5. Homunculus drawing based off of personal 2-point discrimination data.

Illustrates touch receptors of each location tested to map sensitivity of the body. Photo
by Author. October 9, 2016.

Figure 6. Melanoma Case Study Infographic. Informs viewers of dangers, causes, and
preventative measures, as well as basic components of Melanoma skin cancer. Photo
by Author. October 13, 2016.
APA Citations
Shier, D. N., Butler, J. L., & Lewis, R. (2012). Holes Human Anatomy and
Physiology (13th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math.
Labeled Histology of Human Skin Structures [Personal photograph taken in C.H.
Yoe HIgh School]. (2016, September 27).
Eccrine Sweat Gland Density Chart [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe
HIgh School]. (2016, September 26).
Skin Temperature Recovery Rates [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe HIgh
School]. (2016, October 3).
Two-Point DIscrimination Bar Graph [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe
HIgh School]. (2016, October 7).
Minimal and Maximal Values of Two-Point Discrimination Study [Personal
photograph taken in C.H. Yoe HIgh School]. (2016, October 8).
Homunculus Drawing [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe HIgh School].
(2016, October 9).
Melanoma Case Study Infographic [Personal photograph taken in C.H. Yoe HIgh
School]. (2016, October 13).