The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
All other sections in this Literature Study Guide are owned and copyrighted by BookRags, Inc.
The integumentary system consists of all of those tissues which create the external wrapping of the body (including skin, hair, fur, nails, etc.), as well as those glands of the skin (including sweat glands and oil glands). All of these structures are derived from the same primitive tissues, which differentiate to form these different components of the integumentary system.
The primary functions of these integumentary structures include protection of the internal organs of the body. The skin, in particular, serves as the body's largest organ, protecting it from physical, chemical, and infectious threats. The integumentary system also serves to help maintain appropriate body temperature, and prevents excess fluid loss. It guards the rest of the body against the threat of ultraviolet radiation, and is integral to the conversion of vitamin D. The integumentary system is involved in the acquisition of information from the external environment, including information on ambient temperature, pressure, and pain. Some fatty substances can be absorbed into the skin; other substances can be removed from the body by excretion through the sweat glands.