This video we're going to talk about integumentary system functions and it turns out the integumentary system has a lot of different functions. Here in this video, we're only going to talk broadly about some of its most important functions. The integumentary system has several different functions including the following broad functions that we have numbered down below. The first broad function that we have here in our lesson is that it provides protection. This is probably its most notable function. Recall that the integumentary system includes our skin.
We know that our skin covers the entire external surface of our body. It separates the outside world, or the outside environment, from the inside of our bodies. It can protect us against mechanical stresses such as friction, and it can serve as a barrier to many different substances including chemicals, UV light, or ultraviolet light from the sun, protecting us from the sun. It can serve as a barrier to microbes, preventing microbes, bacteria, and viruses from entering into our body and causing us disease.
Now, the second main function that we have here in our lesson is that it helps to maintain homeostasis. Recall from way back in our previous lesson videos back in chapter 1 that homeostasis is just the process of maintaining internal stable conditions despite the fact that the outside conditions could be changing drastically. This includes regulating body temperature, making sure that our internal body temperature stays stable despite the fact that the outside temperatures can be changing drastically in the environment. Also, the integumentary system plays an important role in the early steps of vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D is a critical nutrient that's important for bones.
Also, the integumentary system allows for excretions from the body releasing wastes via sweating. Now, the third main function that we have here in our lesson is that the integumentary system allows for sensations such as, for example, touch and detecting temperatures and also feeling pain. This is because the integumentary system contains nervous tissue that can allow for these sensations. Now, the fourth and final function that we have here in our lesson is that the integumentary system allows for expressive nonverbal communication and emotions.
For example, notice that the left side of this person's face here looks like a very serious person. We can tell that just by looking at the person's skin, which is part of the integumentary system. Notice that on the right side, you can tell that this person is actually a lot happier. You can detect the emotions just by looking at the facial expressions. Beneath the skin are skeletal muscles that allow for facial expressions and can bend and have that skin be flexible, and that can allow for again, nonverbal communication and emotions.
This here concludes our brief lesson on integumentary system functions, and as we move forward in our course we'll be able to learn more and apply these concepts in practice. So, I'll see you all in our next video.