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Epidermis – outer
composed of stratified
squamous epithelium
Dermis – inner
anchored to a
subcutaneous layer
Epidermis
Composed of stratified squamous
epithelium
Avascular as it has no blood supply of its
own
Oxygen and nutrients diffuse from the
underlying dermis
The epidermis is a keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium. Oxygen and nutrients
diffuse from the underlying dermis. Five
structurally different layers can be
identified:
First Layer of the Epidermis
Hair
A characteristic feature of the human skin is the
apparent lack of hair on most of the body surface.
This is actually not quite true. Most of the skin is
haired although the hair in most areas is short, fine
and only lightly pigmented.
Nails
Plates of stratified squamous epithelial cells
with hard keratin
Protect distal ends of phalanges
Cells are keratinized in the nail root
Nail growth occurs in the lunula
Cuticle is a fold of stratum corneum on the
proximal end of nail
Exocrine Glands
Sebaceous glands or oil glands are simple branched
areolar glands. They secrete the sebum (seb = oil) an
oily product. Sebum is usually secreted into a hair
follicle. Sebum is a natural skin cream: it helps hair
from becoming brittle, prevents excessive evaporation
of water from the skin, keeps the skin soft and contains
a bactericidal agent that inhibits the growth of certain
bacteria.
Sebaceous glands are scattered all over the surface of
the skin except in the palms, soles and the side of the
feet.
Blackhead
Pimple
Exocrine Glands
Sweat glands or sudoriferous glands are simple coiled tubular
glands. They are divided into two principal types: eccrine and
apocrine.
Apocrine glands are found mainly in the skin of the armpits, of
the anogenital areas and of the areola of the breasts. Their secretory
portion can be located in the dermis or in the hypodermis. Their
excretory ducts open into hair follicles. Their secretion is more
viscous than that of the eccrine glands. They start secreting at
puberty and may be analogous to the sexual scent glands of other
animals.
Eccrine glands are the most common. Their secretory portion can
be located in the dermis or in the hypodermis. They produce sweat,
a watery mixture of salts, antibodies and metabolic wastes. Sweat
prevents overheating of the body and thus helps regulate body
temperature.
Ceruminous glands (or ear wax glands) and mammary glands
are modified apocrine sweat glands.
Physiology of the Skin
Protection - the epidermis provides a barrier to
fluid loss from the body (this protective function is
impaired in patients with burns).
barrier function - intact skin prevents the entry of
micro-organisms into the body. Antimicrobial
proteins are produced by the epidermis - they act by
piercing holes in the outer membranes of micro-
organisms.
Resistance to wear and tear - continuous replacement
of the outer epidermal cells that wear off - new cells
are produced in the deepest layer of the epidermis and
gradually migrate towards the surface
Skin can excrete water, salt, and small amounts
of waste products such as urea.
Vitamin D can be synthesized in skin exposed
to sunlight (vitamin D can also be obtained
from the diet)
The skin provides a barrier to ultraviolet light.
The melanocytes contain melanin, which
absorbs UV radiation, and also distribute the
pigment to neighboring cells. Skin exposed to
sunlight becomes wrinkled and creased.
Changes seem to be due to disruption of
collagen and elastin in dermis, and loss of
fibroblasts which make new proteins.
Three types of skin cancer corresponding to three major
types of skin cells: basal cells, squamous cells, and
melanocytes.
Cancer of melanocytes - malignant melanoma - is the
most lethal variety, but also the least common.
If caught early, most cases of non-melanoma skin
cancer are easily treated under local anaesthetic
Whites in Australia have the highest rates of skin cancer
of all types in the world.
The damaging effects of sunlight can occur many years
before tumors appear.
ultraviolet light causes mutations at points on a DNA
strand.
The integumentary system is well-supplied with
receptors for touch, pain, temperature, vibration
and pressure
Sensory information is relayed to the central
nervous system via sensory nerves
Social interactions are influenced by facial
expressions, blushing, touching, etc.
Fun Facts
House dust is mainly skin flakes!
If you laid out all your skin on a flat surface, it would have
an area of about 2 square meters.
Skin weighs about 2.5 kilograms - the largest organ in the
body.
What hurts if you pull it, but doesn't hurt if you cut it?
Your hair, of course!
Skin is elastic - it springs back into shape when stretched.
Some medicines (estrogen, nicotine) can pass through the
skin, but others cannot (insulin). Why is that? Because
only fat-soluble substances can enter the skin, not water-
soluble ones.
Your hair stands on end and you develop 'goose bumps'
because there are tiny muscles attached to the hair follicles
and they contract when you are frightened or cold.