Integumentary System : Structure of Integument
Integumentary System : Structure of Integument Fig :- Integumentary System : Structure of Integument The integument is the outermost protective covering of an animal's body. In vertebrates, it is commonly referred to as the skin and its associated derivatives. It is a complex organ system that forms the boundary between the organism's internal environment and the outside world. 1. Primary Structural Layers The vertebrate integument is fundamentally composed of two primary layers —an outer epithelial layer and an inner connective tissue layer—resting upon a subcutaneous base. A. Epidermis (Outer Layer) Embryonic Origin: Ectoderm. Tissue Type: Stratified squamous epithelium (multiple layers of flattened cells). Vascularity: Non-vascular (contains no blood vessels). It relies entirely on diffusion from the underlying dermis for nutrients and oxygen. The Keratinization Process: The cells continuously divide at the base and push upward. As they move, they lose their ...