Which body system includes the skin, associated glands, hair and nails?

• A. Integumentary
• B. Nervous
• C. Circulatory
• D. Endocrine

Answer: (A)

Recognizing which body system includes the skin and its appendages is the focus. The system that includes the skin, its glands, hair, and nails is the integumentary system. It serves as a protective outer barrier, helps regulate body temperature through sweat and blood flow, provides sensory information via nerve endings, and supports functions like vitamin D synthesis. The associated glands are mainly exocrine glands that secrete to the skin surface, not hormones into the blood.

The nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves, does not encompass the skin and its accessories as a body system. The circulatory system centers on the heart and blood vessels to transport substances, not the skin. The endocrine system involves glands that release hormones into the bloodstream; the skin’s glands are exocrine and the skin itself isn’t categorized as part of the endocrine system.