CHAPTER 6: SKIN AND THE INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM OBJECTIVE 1: EXPLAIN WHY THE SKIN IS CALLED THE CUTANEOUS MEMBRANE The word ?cutaneous? means ?of the skin?. The term ?membrane? is referring to the thin layer that covers a space, cavity, or organ. The skin is the organ that is a thin layer in which covers the entire body. *REMINDER: the skin does more than just cover the body it carries multiple other duties in the body. OBJECTIVE 2: NAME THE LAYERS OF THE SKIN, DESCRIBE THE STRUCTURE (TISSUES) OF EACH, AND NAME A GENERAL FUNCTION OF EACH Epidermis: made of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium. Main Function is protection, also protects against moisture loss, prevents microorganisms / chemical entry, and prevents injury by penetration.