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Basic Structure of Skin

The document discusses the structure and functions of skin. It describes three layers - the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis contains multiple strata including the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. The dermis lies below the epidermis and contains collagen, elastic fibers, blood vessels and glands. The subcutaneous tissue is deep to the dermis and anchors the skin to muscles and bones. Skin functions include protection, temperature regulation, waterproofing and vitamin D synthesis. Melanin production in the epidermis determines skin color.

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Jamie Baczewski
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82 views16 pages

Basic Structure of Skin

The document discusses the structure and functions of skin. It describes three layers - the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The epidermis contains multiple strata including the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. The dermis lies below the epidermis and contains collagen, elastic fibers, blood vessels and glands. The subcutaneous tissue is deep to the dermis and anchors the skin to muscles and bones. Skin functions include protection, temperature regulation, waterproofing and vitamin D synthesis. Melanin production in the epidermis determines skin color.

Uploaded by

Jamie Baczewski
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Skin Functions of Skin

► Mechanical/Chemical damage – keratin


toughens cells; fats cells cushion blows; and
pressure receptors to measure possible
damage
► Bacterial damage – skin secretions are
acidic and inhibit bacteria.
► Ultraviolet radiation – melanin produced to
protect from UV damage
Skin Functions
► Thermal control – regulates body temperature
 Heat loss: sweat to cool the skin
 Heat retention: prevents blood to rush into capillary beds
► Waterproofing – contains lipids to prevent drying out
► Excretion of waste – urea and uric acid secreted in
sweat
► Makes vitamin D – modifies cholesterol molecules in
skin and converts it to vitamin D
Skin Structure
►Epidermis — outer layer
 Stratified squamous epithelium
 Often keratinized (hardened by keratin)
►Dermis
 Dense connective tissue
►Subcutaneous tissue
 hypodermis
Skin Structure

Summary of layers from


deepest to most superficial:

Stratum basale
Stratum spinosum
Stratum granulosum
Stratum lucidum
Stratum corneum
Skin Structure
►Subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is deep to dermis
 Not part of the skin
 Anchors skin to underlying organs, bones and muscles
 Contains half of the body’s fat; acts as padding and
insulation.
Layers of the Epidermis
►Stratum basale
 Deepest layer of epidermis
 Cells actively undergoing cell division
 New cells are pushed upward to become the
more superficial layers
►Stratum spinosum – intermediate layer
►Stratum granulosum – another layer
Layers of the Epidermis
►Stratum lucidum
 Formed from dead cells of the deeper layers
 Occurs only in thick, hairless skin of the palms
of hands and soles of feet
►Stratum corneum
 Outermost layer of epidermis
 Scale-like dead cells are filled with keratin
which is a protective protein preventing water
loss from skin
Keratinization
► Cells migrate to the epidermis where eventually
they fall off.
► As they move upward, keratin is added.
► The cells in the epidermis contain a lot of keratin
which resists damage.
► Distinct layers of cells are called strata.

A cell takes ~ 40 – 56 from creation to sloughing off


Melanin
►Pigment (melanin) produced by melanocytes
►Melanocytes are mostly in the stratum
basale
►Color is yellow to red to brown to black
►Amount of melanin produced depends upon
genetics and exposure to sunlight
Melanin continued….
► Large amounts of melanin
occur in some regions like
freckles, moles, and
nipples.
► Less melanin occurs in the
lips, hands, and soles of
the feet.
► All races have the same
number of melanoctyes!
The amount of melanin
produced is determined by
genetics.
Albinism
►A single mutation can cause a deficiency or
complete absence of melanin.
► Albinos have fair skin, white hairs, and
unpigmented eyes
Dermis
►Two layers
 Papillary layer (upper dermal region)
► Projections called dermal papillae
 Some contain capillary loops containing blood
 Some pain receptors and touch receptors
 Reticular layer (deepest skin layer)
► Blood vessels
► Sweat and oil glands
► Deep pressure receptors
What causes Normal Skin Color
►Melanin
 Yellow, brown, or black pigments
►Carotene
 Orange-yellow pigment from some vegetables
►Hemoglobin
 Red coloring from blood cells in dermal
capillaries
 Oxygen content determines the extent of red
coloring
Dermis
►Overall dermis structure
 Collagen and elastic fibers located throughout
the dermis
► Collagen fibers give skin its toughness
► Elastic fibers give skin elasticity
 Dermal papillae – extend toward the epidermis
and deliver nutrients, remove waste products
(sweat = urea and uric acid) and aid in
regulating body temperature.
What causes Normal Skin Color
►Melanin
 Yellow, brown, or black pigments
►Carotene
 Orange-yellow pigment from some vegetables
►Hemoglobin
 Red coloring from blood cells in dermal
capillaries
 Oxygen content determines the extent of red
coloring

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