PST 04103: Human

Anatomy and Physiology

11: Structure and Functions of Skin
Learning Tasks
 Define Skin
 Describe the Structure of the Skin
 Explain the Functions of the Skin
What is the skin?
•Skin:
 Is the thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the
body of a person or animal
o The body's outer covering, which protects against heat and light,
injury, and infection.
o Skin regulates body temperature and stores water, fat, and vitamin D.
o The skin, which weighs about 6 pounds, is the body's largest organ.
Structure of the Skin
 Integumentary means covering, it covers the outside of the body.
 The integumentary system consists of the skin and the accessory
structures such as hair, nails and glands.
 The appearance of the integumentary system can indicate
physiological imbalances in the body.
 Disorders of other parts of the body can be reflected there.
 The skin is made up of the two major tissue layers
Dermis
Epidermis
•Dermis
 The dermis is divided into two layers
o The deeper reticular layer, is dense irregular connective tissue, is the main layer of
the dermis consisting of layers of interlacing collagen fibers
o This layer is of elastic and collagens are oriented more in some areas than others
creating tension lines (cleavage lines) and wrinkle lines in the skin
o The more superficial papillary form projections called papillae that extend toward
the epidermis
o It is less dense than reticular and sometimes called loose connective tissue, it also
contain large number of blood vessels
o These fibers provide skin tone and account for the strength and
toughness of the skin
o The pattern of collagen fibers in a particular region determines the
characteristic
o The deep layer of the dermis contains hair follicles, with their associated smooth
arrector muscles and sebaceous glands
o Contraction of the arrector muscles erects the hairs (causing goose bumps),
thereby compressing the sebaceous glands and helping them secrete their oily
product onto the skin
o The dermis composed of , nerve endings, hair follicles, smooth muscles, glands,
and lymphatic vessels
o Skin ligaments, consisting of numerous small fibrous bands, extend through the
subcutaneous tissue and attach the deep surface of the dermis to the underlying
deep fascia
o The length and density of these ligaments determine the mobility of the skin over
deep structures
Layers of the Skin
• Epidermis
 A keratinized stratified (layered) epithelium with a tough outer
surface composed of keratin (a fibrous protein).
 The epidermis is made up of several layers (strata of cells) which
extends from the deepest germinative layer to the surface stratum
corneum namely:
o Basal layer (stratum basale)
o Spinous or prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum)
o Granular layer (stratum granulosum)
o Clear layer (stratum lucidum)
o Cornified layer (stratum corneum)
 The outer layer of the epidermis is continuously or rubbed away with
replacement of new cells from the basal layer.
 The cells of epidermis include:
o Most of the cells are called keratinocytes because they produce
protein called keratin
o Melanocytes which contribute to skin colour
o Langerhans’ cells which are part of immune system
o Merkel’s cells which are specialized epidermal cells associated with
nerve endings responsible for detecting light touch and superficial
pressure
o This process renews the epidermis of the entire body every 25 to 45
days
o The epidermis is avascular (no blood vessels or lymphatics) and is
nourished by the vessels in the underlying dermis
o The skin is supplied by afferent nerve endings that are sensitive to
touch, irritation (pain), and temperature
o Most nerve terminals are in the dermis, but a few penetrate the
epidermis
Functions of the Skin
 Protection for the body from environmental effects, such as:
o Abrasions
o Melanin absorb ultraviolet light and protect underlying tissue
o Skin prevent the entry of microorganisms and other harmful substances
o Prevent dehydration by reducing water loss from the body because its lipids act
as barrier to the diffusion of water
o Nail protect the ends of the digits from damage and can be used in defence
o Hair follicles act as insulator and protect from ultraviolet light
 Temperature regulation through sweat glands, blood
vessels and fat deposits
 Sensation , the integumentary system has sensory
receptors that can detect heat, cold, pain, touch,
temperature and pressure)
 Synthesis and storage of vitamin D when exposed to
ultraviolet light, the skin produces a molecule that can
be transformed into vitamin D
 Excretion of small amount of waste products are lost
through the skin and in gland secretions
Key Points
 The integumentary system consists of the skin and the accessory structures such
as hair nails and glands
 The functions of the skin includes synthesis and storage of vitamin D when
exposed to ultraviolet light and excretion of small amount of waste products are
lost through the skin and in gland secretions
 Skin is the thin layer of tissue forming the natural outer covering of the body of a
person or animal
 The cells of epidermis include: keratinocytes because they produce protein called
keratin, Melanocytes which contribute to skin colour, Langerhans’ cells which
are part of immune system and Merkel’s which are specialized epidermal cells
associated with nerve endings responsible for detecting light touch and
superficial pressure
Evaluation
 What is the skin?
 What are the structure of the skin?
 What are the functions of the skin?