integumentary

American  

[in-teg-yuh-men-tuh-ree] / ɪnˌtɛg yəˈmɛn tə ri /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or like an integument.

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Usage

What does integumentary mean? Integumentary is an adjective used to refer to a covering or coating, especially natural coatings like skin, shells, and rinds. An integument is any coating or covering, but the term is primarily used for the outer layer of natural things like animals and plants. Integumentary is especially used in the term integumentary system to refer to the system of the human body that includes the skin and related things like hair and nails. Example: The integumentary layers of animals and plants are very different, but they often serve similar purposes.

Other Word Forms

• subintegumentary adjective

Etymology

Origin of integumentary

First recorded in 1835–45; integument + -ary

Explanation

The structures on the outermost part of a plant or an animal's body make up its integumentary system. Integumentary means "forming a tough, protective layer." Your integumentary system includes your skin, hair, and fingernails, while your cat's is made up of his fur, skin, whiskers, and claws. Even plants have an integumentary system of hairs and an epidermis. All of these structures keep the organism safe. In the case of humans, our integumentary system also keeps us hydrated, regulates our body temperature, and allows us to sense the environment around us. The Latin source, integumentum, means "a covering."

Example Sentences

The body’s largest organ system is the integumentary system, which includes the skin and its associated structures, such as hair and nails.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The integumentary system refers to the skin and its accessory structures, and it is responsible for much more than simply lending to your outward appearance.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The skin and its accessory structures make up the integumentary system, which provides the body with overall protection.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Integration of morphological data sets for phylogenetic analysis of Amniota: the importance of integumentary characters and increased taxonomic sampling.

From Scientific American • Jul. 4, 2012

Bony plates seem in some species to have formed an at any rate partial covering to the skin; but it is not certain that these integumentary appendages were present in all.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne