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Skin and Mucous Membranes The tissues covering the body are the animal’s first line of defence against infectious disease. Healthy skin is a physical barrier to organisms inhabiting its surface and the surrounding environment. Abrasions and open wounds provide an opportunity for organisms to penetrate the barrier, infect underlying tissues DIGESTIVE SYSTEM and enter the circulatory system. Hair provides protection from abrasion and may URINARY RESPIRATORY SYSTEM prevent hazardous materials and insects from SYSTEM contacting the surface of the skin. REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM Mucous membranes line the inner surfaces of all organ SKIN MUCOUS MEMBRANES systems which are exposed to the environment, as shown in the diagram on the left. These surfaces are normally inhabited by native bacteria which, in the healthy animal, do not cause disease. By competing with pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria, these native organisms provide some protection to the animal. In the digestive system, a large and diverse population of beneficial bacteria (including rumen microbes) assist in the digestion of feed and manufacture nutrients essential to the animal (e.g. B-vitamins and vitamin K). The mucous membranes lining the windpipe are composed of cells having hair-like projections called cilia. These cilia move in waves, carrying foreign material and bacteria away from the lungs. source: Dairy Production Primer - Herd Health Management ©2004 Western Dairy Science Inc.