BackThe Integumentary System: Structure and Function
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The Integumentary System
Overview of the Integumentary System
The integumentary system is the body's largest organ system, primarily responsible for protection, sensation, and regulation. It consists of the skin and its derivatives, including hair, nails, and glands.
Skin (also called integument) is composed of three major regions:
Epidermis – the most superficial region, made of epithelial tissue.
Dermis – the middle region, consisting of connective tissue.
Hypodermis (also called superficial fascia) – the deepest region, primarily composed of adipose tissue. It is technically not part of the skin but serves as a subcutaneous layer.
Additional info: The hypodermis anchors the skin to underlying structures and provides insulation and shock absorption.
