The Skin
• The skin (or integument) is the largest Figure 1: Layers of the Epidermis (Cross Section) • Stratum comeum
organ in the body, and has many • Outermost “horny layer" of thin squamous cells that are continuously
functions, including protection, shed and replaced on the surface • The cytosol of these cells is replaced by
sensation, thermoregulation, and some water-repelling keratin • Functions as a barrier to water loss and threats
metabolic processes • Different areas of from the environment Stratum lucidum Clear layer that is especially
the body have different functional prominent in thick skin • Cell nucle are generally absent and the cells are
characteristics, such as thickness, color, filled with a soft gel-like substance called eleidin. which eventually
and the presence of epidermal becomes keratin Stratum granulosum “Granular layer" where
appendages (hair, glands, and nails) keratinization begins • Cell nucler are either absent or degenerate • This
• Skin is formed by two layers: the layer may be absent in thin skin Stratum spinosum
epidermis and the dermis • "Spiny layer" where protein synthesis occurs for keratin production
• Most skin is classified as thin, but skin • This layer appears prickly under a microscope Stratum basale
of the palms and soles of the feet is • Single “base layer” of columnar cells where mitosis occurs • Cells
classified as thick • In thick skin, the migrate from here to the upper layers and are eventually shed •
epidermis is thickened, but not the Melanocytes, which are cells that produce the pigment melanin, are found
dermis • Skin thickness ranges from 0.5 in this layer • Differences in skin color are due to the amount of melanin
mm to over 5 mm produced, not the number of melanocytes
• Stratum germmativum “Growth layer* referring to the stratum
spinosum and stratum basale together
Merkel's discs Nociceptors
• Superficial nerve • Nerve fibers, ending in Meissner’s corpuscle
endings that detect dendritic knobs, that are the Pore
• Superficial, large receptors that respond to light touch and low-
light touch primary sensory frequency vibration • Found In nipples, lips, and fingertips
Figure 2: Cross Section of
Generic Skin Area
Dermal papillae
• In thick skin, these are
• Epidermis arranged in curving parallel
• Outer, thin layer of ridges which form
the skin • Consists of fingerprints and footprints
layers of stratified
squamous epithelium Arterioles, venules &
• Lacks blood vessels capillaries Supply blood to
• and has few nerve the skin Help regulate body
• endings • Thickness temperature by adiusting
varies on the body, Mood flow to radiate excess
• with thickest areas on heat • Capillary dilation
causes blushing in face
the soles and palms,
and thinnest on the
eyelids Krause's end bulbs
• Dermis Smaller variant of
• Inner, thicker Meissner’s corpuscle with
• connective tissue layer fewer endings, detecting
of the skin • Composed touch, vibration, and cold
Often found in .mucous
mostly of collagen membranes
libers, with some elastin Sweat (sudoriferous) gland
and reticular fibers The most numerous type of
• Contains specialized skin gland • There are two
structures such as hair types: eccrine (merocrine)
and apocrine
follicles, sweat and Eccrine sweat glands are
sebaceous glands, the most important,
blood vessels, nerves, producing transparent
and lymphatic vessels watery perspiration all over
the body which lowers
Pacinian corpuscle body temperature and
• Nerve receptors found eliminates waste
in deep skin that respond Apocrine sweat glands
to deep pressure become functional at
• Mainly found in the puberty, and produce a
hands and feet milky, odorous secretion in
the axillary and genital
Subcutaneous layer regions
(hypodermis)
• Connective tissue layer
below the skin containing
a large amount of fat
• Carries the major blood Ruffini's corpuscles •
vessels and nerves to the Rattened variation of
overlying skin Meissner’s corpuscle
found deeper in the
dermis • Sense deep,
persistent touch • May
Deep fascia also be heat receptors
• Membranous fascial Arrector pili muscle Hair follicle
Smooth muscle that elevates Hair bulb Root hair plexus • • Sebaceous gland
sheet separating the skin • Live tissue at the • Tiny pit in the skin formed
and subcutaneous layer hair upon contraction, from the invagination of Free nerve endings • • Secretes oil (or sebum) to protect the
producing goosebumps base of the hair that that detect hair hair and skin from water loss and fungal
from underlying muscle supplies the hair surface epithelium into the
and other structures Contraction is activated by cold dermis, forming a tube movement
or fear with keratin infection • Usually located along hair follicle
through which hair grows • Sebum secretion increases during puberty
• Hair is formed from
keratinized cells at the base and may result in an accumulation of oil
of the follicle causing a pustule, or pimple
