LESSON 3
THE HUMAN INTEGUMENTARY AND FASCIAL SYSTEMS
Section I. GENERAL
3-1. DEFINITIONS
An organ system is a group of organs together performing an overall function.
Portions of two organ systems, the integumentary and fascial systems, are represented
in figure 3-1.
Figure 3-1. The integument and related structures.
a. Integumentary System. The integumentary system includes the integument
proper and the integumentary derivatives. We know the integument proper as the skin.
It is the outermost covering of the whole body. The integumentary derivatives include
the hairs, nails, and various glands of the skin.
b. Fascial System. A fascia is a sheet or collection of fibrous connective tissue
(FCT). The superficial fascia is the connective tissue which lies immediately beneath
the skin and is often known as the subcutaneous layer. Deep fasciae (plural) form
envelopes for muscles and other organs and fill spaces. One deep fascial membrane is
the third envelope of the whole body, beneath the skin and the subcutaneous layer. It is
known as the investing deep fascia.
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