The skin has three main layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the top layer and provides protection from injury, microorganisms, and damage. It is made up of five sublayers including the stratum corneum, the outermost waterproof layer. Below the epidermis, the dermis contains hair follicles, sweat and oil glands, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. The lowest subcutaneous layer provides insulation and cushioning for the body. Key functions of the skin include providing a protective barrier, regulating temperature, producing vitamin D, and serving as a sensory organ.
The skin has three main layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the top layer and provides protection from injury, microorganisms, and damage. It is made up of five sublayers including the stratum corneum, the outermost waterproof layer. Below the epidermis, the dermis contains hair follicles, sweat and oil glands, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. The lowest subcutaneous layer provides insulation and cushioning for the body. Key functions of the skin include providing a protective barrier, regulating temperature, producing vitamin D, and serving as a sensory organ.
The skin has three main layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the top layer and provides protection from injury, microorganisms, and damage. It is made up of five sublayers including the stratum corneum, the outermost waterproof layer. Below the epidermis, the dermis contains hair follicles, sweat and oil glands, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. The lowest subcutaneous layer provides insulation and cushioning for the body. Key functions of the skin include providing a protective barrier, regulating temperature, producing vitamin D, and serving as a sensory organ.
The skin has three main layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The epidermis is the top layer and provides protection from injury, microorganisms, and damage. It is made up of five sublayers including the stratum corneum, the outermost waterproof layer. Below the epidermis, the dermis contains hair follicles, sweat and oil glands, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves. The lowest subcutaneous layer provides insulation and cushioning for the body. Key functions of the skin include providing a protective barrier, regulating temperature, producing vitamin D, and serving as a sensory organ.
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1. Layers of the skin and function of the skin.
a) Layers of the skin
Epidermis It is the top layer of the skin and is the only layer that is visible to the eyes. It constantly shed dead skin cells from the top layer and replacing them with new healthy cells that grow in lower layers. These cells are; keratinocytes which produce fibrous protein keratin, melanocytes which produce dark pigment known as melanin, langerhan’s cell which is responsible for epidermal macrophages defense mechanism, merkel cells which are touch receptors associated with sensory nerve endings. It gets nutrient and oxygen from capillaries in the dermis. Epidermis consist of five layers; i. Stratum germinativum It’s the layer attached to the dermis whereby it forms a strong layer between dermis and epidermis. It consist of a single row of keratinocytes. ii. Stratum spinosum It is produced by division of basal layer and has many layers of keratinocytes. The cells in this continue dividing hence making epidermis strong. iii. Stratum Granulosum There is no cell division in this layer. It contains keratin which is a fibrous protein which makes the hair and nails. iv. Stratum Lucidum It is a thin transparent superficial layer found only in the thick skin. The cells in this layer are flat, dense and filled with keratin. v. Stratum Corneum Is the layer exposed to the skin surface and contains many layers of keratinocytes. It is a water resistant layer and is shed and replaced after every two weeks. The main function of epidermis is; a) It’s a water proof layer. b) Provide protection from injury and penetration of microorganisms. c) It makes the body insensitive to biological, chemical and physical injury. Dermis It is located between epidermis and subcutaneous layer. it contains all sweat and oil glands, hair follicles, connective tissues, nerve endings and lymph vessels. It provide pathogen protection that our body needs. It consist of two layers; a) Papillar layer This layer consist of aerola connective tissue which contain collagen and elastic fibre.it also contain small capillaries, lymphatic venules and sensory neurons. b) Reticular layer It contains dense irregular tissue, large blood vessels, lymphatic vessels and nerve fibers. It also contain collagen fiber which adds strength and resiliency to the skin. Subcutaneous layer It is also called subcutis / hypodermis layer. It provides insulation for our body keeping us warm. It also provides a cushion that works like a shock absorber surrounding the vital organs. This is the layer that attaches the skin to the muscles and tissues below it. It has very few blood capillaries.
FUNCTION OF THE SKIN
1. Provides a protective barrier against mechanical, thermal and physical injury and hazardous substances. 2. Consist of hair which is responsible for thermoregulation. 3. Reduces harmful effects of UV radiation. 4. Acts as a sensory organ (ie) touch, detects temperature. 5. Helps regulate temperature. 6. Its an immune organ to detect infections. 7. Responsible for production of vitamin D.