Integumentary System Development

Development of the Integumentary System

The integumentary system develops from all embryonic layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells).

Learning Objectives

Outline the developmental process of the integumentary system

Key Takeaways

Key Points

  • Ectoderm forms at 4 weeks.
  • Between 4 and 12 weeks, the stratified epithelium forms and mesoderm forms the blood vessels and connective tissue.
  • At 16 weeks, the basement membrane folds and melanoblasts start producing melanin.
  • At 20 weeks, hair begins to grow from sebaceous glands and sweat glands form.


Key Terms

  • sebaceous gland: A gland of the skin that secretes an oily substance, sebum, usually into a hair follicle near the surface of the skin.
  • neural crest cells: A transient, multipotent, migratory cell population that gives rise to a diverse cell lineage including melanocytes, craniofacial cartilage and bone, smooth muscle, peripheral and enteric neurons, and glia.
  • fetal skin: This forms from three layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells.


The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the human body, responsible for protection from physical and environmental factors. The integumentary system is both a barrier and a sensory organ, and includes the skin (the largest bodily organ), as well as appendages, sweat and sebaceous glands, hair, nails and arrectores pillorum (tiny muscles at the root of each hair that cause goose bumps).

Fetal Skin Formation

This diagram of the integumentary system indicates the hair shaft, sweat pore, dermal papilla, sensory nerve ending for touch, epidermis, dermis, subcutis (hypodermic), vein, artery, sweat gland, pacinian corpuscle, blood and lymph vessels, nerve fiber, papilla of hair, hair follicle, sebaceous gland, arrector pili muscle, stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum germinativum, pigment layer, and stratum corneum.

Human Skin: This image details the parts of the integumentary system.

Fetal skin forms from three layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, and neural crest cells. Figure 1 shows a diagram of the skin structure.

At 4 weeks gestation, simple ectoderm epithelium forms. Between 4 and 12 weeks, the basal cells divide repeatedly to form the stratified epithelium while the mesoderm forms the blood vessels and connective tissues. Epidermal ridges (e.g. fingerprints) begin to develop around 10 weeks gestation and are completed by 17 weeks gestation. Sensory nerves also develop.

At 16 weeks gestation, the basement membrane folds. Melanoblasts that form melanocytes migrate with neural crests cells to the epithelium and begin producing melanin prior to birth. The connective tissue differentiates into the various layers of the dermis. Ectoderm thickens into fingernails and toenails. Other regions of the ectoderm form into epithelial columns called cords which become hair follicles and sebaceous and sweat glands.

At 20 weeks gestation, hair begins to grow from sebaceous glands, while sweat glands are formed from coiled cords. Other cords begin to form mammary glands.

Effects of Aging on the Integumentary System

The integumentary system undergoes intrinsic and extrinsic cutaneous aging, primarily involving the dermis.

Learning Objectives

Contrast intrinsic aging with extrinsic aging of the integumentary system

Key Takeaways

Key Points

  • Intrinsic aging is caused by internal factors alone, such as diminished collagen synthesis, and is sometimes known as chronological aging.
  • Extrinsic aging is caused by external factors, such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation, which can result in photodamage and may lead to skin cancer formation.
  • A validated comprehensive grading scale categorizes the clinical findings of skin aging as laxity, rhytids (wrinkles), and the various facets of photoaging, including erythema/telangiectasia, dyspigmentation, solar elastosis, keratoses, and poor texture.


Key Terms

  • extrinsic aging: Aging caused by external factors such as exposure to radiation or toxic substances.
  • intrinsic aging: Aging caused by internal factors related to degeneration of physiologic processes.


Intrinsic and extrinsic aging are terms used to describe cutaneous aging of the skin and other parts of the integumentary system. Aging primarily involves the dermis and has limited effects on the epidermis.

Intrinsic Aging

image

Wrinkled Skin: Wrinkles form due to intrinsic (loss of collagen) and extrinsic (photodamage) aging.

The effects of intrinsic aging are caused solely by internal factors. Sometimes called chronological aging, intrinsic aging is an inherent degenerative process due to declining physiologic functions and capacities. This may include qualitative and quantitative changes such as diminished or defective synthesis of collagen and elastin in the dermis. As skin ages, it becomes thinner and more easily damaged. Intensifying this effect is the decreasing ability of skin to heal itself with age. Skin aging is also noted by a decrease in volume and elasticity and the increased incidence of wrinkles. Aging skin receives less blood flow and lower glandular activity. Cortisol (associated with stress) causes degradation of collagen, accelerating the aging process.

Extrinsic Aging

image

Skin Cancer: Image of a basal cell carcinoma caused by extrinsic aging.

Extrinsic aging of skin is caused by external factors such as ultraviolet radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution. Of all extrinsic causes, radiation from sunlight has the most widespread documentation of negative effects on the skin. Because of this, extrinsic aging is often referred to as photoaging, defined as skin changes caused by chronic exposure to UV light. Photodamage implies changes beyond those associated with aging alone. It is defined as cutaneous damage caused by chronic exposure to solar radiation and is associated with emergence of neoplastic (cancer) lesions. Photoaging causes two main concerns: an increased risk for skin cancer, and the appearance of damaged skin. In younger skin, sun damage will heal faster since the cells in the epidermis have a faster turnover rate, while in older adults, thinner skin and slower healing may result in damage to the dermal layer.

A validated comprehensive grading scale has categorized the clinical findings of skin aging as laxity (sagging), rhytids (wrinkles), and the various facets of photoaging, including erythema/telangiectasia (redness), dyspigmentation (brown discoloration), solar elastosis (yellowing), keratoses (abnormal growths), and poor texture.

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