Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin

The skin is the bodys largest organ. It creates a barrier between the external environment and
the internal organs. The skin has several important functions vital to human life. Its thickness
varies depending on where it is located on the body. For example, the skin on the face is thin
compared to the skin on the back.

Structure
The epidermis and dermis are the 2 main layers of the skin. They lie on top of a third layer called
the subcutaneous layer.

Epidermis

The epidermis is the thin outer layer of the skin. It contains no blood vessels and relies on the
dermis for its nutrients and waste removal. The epidermis is thinnest on the eyelids and thickest
on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. The epidermis layer itself is made up of layers of
cells (basal cells and squamous cells) that work together to continually rebuild the surface of the
skin. The epidermis also includes 2 other types of specialized cells: Langerhans cells (involved
in immune response) and Merkel cells (believed to play a role in making the skin sensitive to
touch).

The basal cell layer

The basal cell layer is the deepest part of the epidermis. This layer sits on top of the dermis. The
round cells in this layer are called basal cells. Basal cells continually divide, producing new cells
that undergo a maturing, or keratinisation, process as they push the older cells toward the surface
of the skin. These older cells eventually become flattened squamous cells.

Melanocytes are another type of cell found mainly in the basal cell layer. Melanocytes produce
melanin, which is the substance that gives skin its colour. When the skin is exposed to the suns
ultraviolet rays, the melanocytes produce more melanin. Melanin production helps protect the
body by lessening the damaging effects of the suns ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The
melanocytes in dark-skinned people are more active, so more melanin is produced. Therefore,
dark-skinned people have more protection from the sun than light-skinned people.

The squamous cell layer

The squamous cell layer is located above the basal cell layer and occupies the major part of the
epidermis. The main cells in this area are called keratinocytes. These cells contain a protein
called keratin. Keratin is a tough substance that helps to protect the skin from injury. Keratin is
also found in hair and nails.

As keratinocytes mature and move toward the surface of the skin, they undergo gradual changes
in composition and appearance. Shortly before they reach the surface, the cells die and take on a
scale-like appearance (squamous cells). The surface of the skin is covered in dead cells, which
are shed and replaced every 34 weeks by the newly divided cells in the basal cell layer that will
be pushed up.

Dermis

The dermis is the second layer of the skin, beneath the epidermis. The dermis is the thickest of
all 3 layers. It is made up of a papillary layer and a reticular layer. Collagen and elastin are
produced by fibroblasts in the dermis to provide structure to the skin.

Most of the skins specialized structures are found in the dermis: blood vessels, lymph vessels,
hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous (oil) glands and nerve endings.

Subcutaneous Layer

Beneath the dermis lies a fat layer known as the subcutaneous layer or hypodermis. This layer is
made up mainly of fat, or adipose tissue. It helps to conserve the bodys heat and protect the
organs of the body.

Function
The skin has many functions, including:

Protecting the body from heat, sunlight, injury due to mechanical, chemical damage, and
bacterial and viral infection.
o Blood flow to the skins surface allows the heat to escape to the air and helps to
maintain and regulate the body's body temperature.
o Sweating allows the body to regulate its temperature. Sweating does not occur
until the core body temperature is greater than 37C.
o The skin prevents the body from losing water and electrolytes. Yet, as a balance,
water continually evaporates from the skins surface.
Getting rid of waste substances through the sweat glands
Sensation
o Nerve receptors in the skin monitor the environment by sensing cold, heat, pain
and pressure. These nerve receptors are more concentrated in our fingertips.
Storing water & fat and synthesizing Vitamin D & defensive proteins