section two

two
Skin Histology
Structure of the skin page 12
The epidermis
Structure
Functions

The process of melanogenesis page 15

The dermis
Structure
Functions

NATURAL SCIENCE FOR YOUR SKIN

The structure of the skin

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12
 The epidermis
The epidermis is the body’s barrier against damage and is a
special type of epithelium tissue (one of four basic types of
human tissue). Epithelial cells have various important
functions which tell us why we need to look after our skin:
detection of sensation, transcellular transport, secretion,
selective absorption and protection.
Structure
The epidermis is formed from six layers. These are called:
The stratum disjunctum. This is the outermost layer. It is part of the stratum corneum (below
it). The very outer layers desquamate (see functions, below) – the dead cells are naturally
shed over time.
The stratum corneum. This is the dead layer of cornified cells, which is continually shedding.
It is the last part of the life cycle of a cell. Here, the keratinocyte cell becomes a hard
corneocyte, resistant to water. This layer is roughly 14 cells thick but thickness varies
depending on the region of the body, the amount of UV exposure and other skin conditions.
The stratum lucidum. This is a clear translucent layer which is found on the soles of feet and
palms of hands, or where a callous has formed..
The stratum granulosum. The granular layer where the keratinisation process continues (see
functions, below). This means the nucleus of the cell becomes void; it starts to fill with keratin.
The stratum spinosum. Where the first stage of the keratinisation process takes place. Lipids
are present in this layer which create a hydrophobic barrier between stratum granulosum
and stratum lucidum, preventing dehydration.
The stratum germinativum/basal layer. The deepest (bottom) layer of the epidermis. Here
keratinocyte cells under go mitosis and divide.
The epidermis is avascular, nourished by diffusion from the dermis, below it.

STRATUM
HYDRO-LIPIDIC CORNEUM
MANTLE

EPIDERMIS
MIDDLE LAYER

Dermal/epidermal
Junction
Basal Layer
DERMIS
EXTRA-CELLULAR
MATRIX
Collagen

Elastin Microcirculation
Fibroblast

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The Epidermis
Function
Physical protection through the creation of barrier cells:

The total epidermal cell turnover time is around 29 days, taking into
account the 10 days each cell spends in migration.

Keratinisation
The process of change in which a keratinocyte cell becomes a barrier
cell on the stratum corneum (outer layer). During this process, the
cytoplasm of the cell is completely replaced with keratin, a form of
protein that helps keep the skin hydrated by preventing water
evaporation (the Natural Moisturising Factor). These cells can also
absorb water.
Desquamation
The continuous shedding of epithelial cells. It is both a protective and
self-cleansing mechanism. In normal skin, the rate of loss equals the
rate of production.

Chemical Protection
Acid Mantle
The acid mantle is a very fine film made up of a combination of sweat
and sebum on the surface of the skin which acts as a fungal and
bacterial deterrent. The moderate acidity of the skin helps to neutralise
the chemical affects of contaminants.
Melanin
The production of melanin takes place in the stratum
germinativum/stratum basale. Melanin determines skin colour. It is
produced in the melanocytes and later transferred to the keratinocytes.
Melanin production is stimulated by exposure to UVB radiation..

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 the process of melanogenisis

Fair Skin Tanned Skin

Dendrite

Keratinocyte

Basal layer

Melanocyte

Melanosomes

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 The Dermis
Structure
A mass of connective tissue containing both collagen and elastin,
blood and lymphatic vessels, nerves and tactile corpuscles. It also
contains appendages – sebaceous and sudoriferous glands and
hair follicles.
There are two layers to the dermis:
The thinner layer is called the papillary layer which is rich in blood
and nerve supply which provides the basal layer of the epidermis
with sensation and nutrients. Its elastin and collagen fibres are
small and loose.
The thicker layer is the reticular layer which is what gives skin its
pliability and carries most of the physical stress. It has coarser
elastin fibres and denser collagen bundles.

Extracellular matrix composed of

collagen, elastin fibrils,
glycocaminoglycans, polysaccarides,
proteoglycans
epidermis epidermis

dermis
Fibroblast
hypodermis

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The Dermis
Functions

Collagen
Collagen maintains the tone and structure of skin because the
molecules are rigid and resistant to stretching. It is made up of three
polypeptide chains wrapped around one another as a triple helix.
Collagen is formed in fibroblasts within the dermis.

Causes of collagen breakdown:

• Collagenase breaks down old collagen at a precise rate but
this rate speeds up with:
• sun damage and exposure to free radicals
• age
• UVA exposure (which is an inhibitor)

Elastin
Elastin is what gives skin its resilience, keeping it toned, tight and
springy. Like collagen it is produced by fibroblasts and forms a
network of elastic tissue. The breakdown of elastin is what causes
the skin to sag.

Causes of elastin breakdown:

• elastase is an enzyme which breaks down elastin under
normal conditions but other factors speed this up:
• free radical activity
• advancing age

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The Dermis
Ground substance/extrafibrillar matrix
Extra-cellular matrix in which the collagen and elastin are suspended forming
a “packing material” which consists predominantly of water and
glycoaminoglycans.
Function of glycoaminoglycans:
• the matrix for growth, metabolism and cell migration
• support other components of the dermis
• maintain the hydration balance of the dermis

Appendages
Appendages including sebaceous glands, sweat glands and hair follicles,
are all located in the dermis and open into the stratum corneum, (directly or
indirectly).

Pilosebaceous unit
This is made up of a hair follicle with the sebaceous gland attached.
• Hair follicle – a column of epidermal cells, extending into the dermis.
• Sebaceous glands – microscopic glands in the skin that secrete sebum
made up of oil, fatty acid and protein, which lubricates the skin. Found
in greatest abundance on the face and scalp, though they are
distributed throughout all skin sites except the palms and soles.
Sebaceous secretion starts during puberty and reduces with age,
meaning skin may be more oily among teenagers.

Sweat glands (sudoriferous glands)

• Apocrine glands – the ducts of these glands insert and secrete into
hair follicles and are found deeper in the dermis. Apocrine glands
secrete a sticky odourless fluid which can be broken down by bacteria
and it is this process which causes human odour.
• Eccrine glands – the primary sweat glands of the human body. Found
in all skin, they produce a clear, odourless substance consisting mainly
of water.

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