The integumentary system consists of the skin, hair, nails, the subcutaneous tissue below the skin, and assorted glands. The most obvious function of the integumentary system is the protection that the skin gives to underlying tissues. The skin not only keeps most harmful substances out but also prevents the loss of fluids.

There are four types of glands in the integumentary system: sudoriferous (sweat) glands, sebaceous glands, ceruminous glands, and mammary glands. These are all exocrine glands, secreting materials outside the cells and body. Sudoriferous glands are sweat-producing glands. These are important to help maintain body temperature. Sebaceous glands are oil-producing glands that help inhibit bacteria, keep us waterproof and prevent our hair and skin from drying out. Ceruminous glands produce earwax which keeps the outer surface of the eardrum pliable and prevents drying. Mammary glands produce milk.

References:
Histology guide. Skin | Microscope Slides | Histology Guide. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://histologyguide.com//slidebox/11-skin.html

Integumentary system. histology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://histology.medicine.umich.edu/resources/integumentary-system

Kim, J. Y. (2021, May 9). Physiology, integument. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554386/#:~:text=The%20integumentary%20system%20includes%20the,D%2C%20and%20detection%20of%20stimuli.

Learning, L. (n.d.). Biology for majors II. Lumen. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://courses.lumenlearning.com/wm-biology2/chapter/integumentary-system/

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (n.d.). Sweat glands. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved April 2, 2022, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperhidrosis/multimedia/sweat-glands/img-20007980

Sebaceous glands. Sebaceous Glands. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2022, from http://medcell.med.yale.edu/histology/skin_lab/sebaceous_glands.php