The functions of the skin (physiology) include protection (chemical/mechanical barrier and water barrier), excretion, sensation, vitamin D synthesis, and thermoregulation. Okay, so I'm going focus mainly on thermoregulation in the sense of maintaining and regulating homeostasis. Changes in glandular secretions, accessory organs, vasodilation, vasoconstriction all work to produce or dissipate heat to maintain a constant temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. How you ask? WELL more specifically, the skin can can use eccrine glands to produce sweat to cool down the body, and also vasodilation (dilation of blood vessels for permeability for evaporation) when the body overheats, hence the red tone of our skin when we are hot or exercising. The skin is so amazing that it can also insulate heat! Whaaat? The arrector pilli muscle works to pull the outer layer of skin closer to the dermis and hypodermis to insulate body heat, causing what we know as goosebumps (not the book). Vasoconstriction also helps to maintain body heat. The blood vessels within the dermis contract, decreasing blood flow therefore ->decreasing movement which->decreases the amount of heat being given off. The integumentary system, as I just now explained, can be used as one example of the systems in our body that have specific functions that work together to maintain a dynamic state of equilibrium
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