Contents
| Overview of Skin Structure | 121 | Nails, Claws, Hoofs, and Feathers | 132 |
| Epidermis | 122 | Horns | 135 |
| Dermis | 124 | Feathers | 135 |
| Specialized Structures | 125 | Leather | 136 |
| Biochemical Properties of Skin | 130 | Chapter Summary | 136 |
| Skin and Coat Color | 130 | ||
| Vitamin D Metabolism | 132 |
Although we sometimes consider some of the agricultural products derived from skin, for example, leather and wool, we often fail to appreciate the physiological relevance of skin.
The skin and its derivates (sweat and oil glands), hair (wool, fur), and nails (claws, hoofs) constitute a complex mix of tissues that together create the integumentary system. This organ system is critical to the health and well-being of our animals and in many cases provides important economic assets. It is easy to appreciate that its primary function is protection. But it is more than a simple physical protective covering. Without their skin, our animals would quickly fall prey to environmental pathogens and rapidly die from dehydration and heat loss. Our major goal is to outline some of the physiological attributes of the integumentary system that are essential for homeostasis. The following list illustrates critical functions of the integumentary system:• physical protection: barrier against the outside
• prevention of dehydration
• body temperature regulation
• sensory information via cutaneous receptors
• metabolic actions
• excretion of wastes.
The skin covers the entire exposed surface of the body and is continuous with the mucous membranes lining openings onto the body surface, for example, the digestive, respiratory, and urogenital systems. We will begin by considering the structure of the skin.
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