Functions Of Skin

In this video we look at the major functions of the skin and how each of these functions contribute to overall health.

Transcript/Notes

Functions of the skin

The skin or integument has many important functions in the body.
It provides protection, acting as a barrier against injury or trauma, for instance if you cut your finger, the skin barrier helps to minimize the damage to underlying structures.

Dendritic immune cells in the epidermis signal an immune response against foreign invaders that have entered the skin. Melanocyte cells, located in the epidermis produce the pigment melanin in reaction to exposure to ultraviolet light. This protects nuclear DNA in the cells in the skin and it also protects internal deeper body tissues from being harmed from the UV rays.

The skin is important in metabolic regulation as keratinocyte cells synthesize or produce vitamin D3 due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This increases the absorption of calcium and phosphate in the small intestine, which are both important to bone health. As little as 10 to 15 minutes of exposure to direct sunlight per day provides the body with sufficient vitamin D.

The skin also functions in secretion and absorption. When body temperature rises the body discharges substances from the skin in sweat. Sweat consists of water, salts and a nitrogen substance called urea, which is a cellular waste product. The skin can also absorb certain chemicals, for instance nicotine from nicotine patches.

The skin also plays a role in temperature regulation. If the body is cold, blood vessels in the dermis can narrow, which is called vasoconstriction. This diminishes the amount of blood flowing through them, causing a person to look paler. The body does this to conserve heat.

The blood vessels in the dermis can increase in diameter, called vasodilation, allowing more blood to flow through them. This allows the body to lose more heat if it is too warm. A person may appear to look more pinkish or reddish in this situation, and this can be seen during exercise in an attempt to lose body heat.

The skin functions in sensory reception as tactile corpuscles located in the papillary layer of the dermis are touch receptors that detect cold, vibrations and pressure.

The skin also provides strength and flexibility, as the collagen fibers in skin give its strength and the elastic fibers allow the skin to stretch and recoil, so the body can move in multiple directions without tearing the skin.

Timestamps
0:00 The skin provides protection
0:36 Metabolic regulation
1:00 Secretion and absorption
1:22 Temperature regulation
1:54 Sensory reception
2:04 Provides strength and flexibility

[rockinggirl]

Woww super short and super informative! Thank you!!

[kimberlysutton]

I love your videos. Is there a reason why this one doesn't offer subtitles?

[jker]

How can I get a bright skin colour?? 🤔🤔

[markjonesku]

Your stuff is great. Our company is conducting some internal health and safety training and we would like the opportunity to use this and sever other of your videos in the training. Do you have an email I can use to contact you about the request?

[sushmaau]

See this video I got 10 mark in exam tq sir

[dorienborno]

Who else is here because there teacher made you watch it.

[Xerkies]

1:47 is that the same when someone gets embarrassed?

[Cnstellatins]

Very interesting as always! :) But does the sun really provide the required amount of vitamin D in just 10-15 mins a day? I've heard the sun needs to be in the proper position in the sky and you have to have 40% of your body exposed and I believe I've heard it's longer than 10-15 mins. So getting sufficient vitamin D from the sun is not as easy as it might seem, which is why a lot of people are deficient in vitamin D.
I'd like to see what's on the other end of the *. ;)