SKIN
The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the sensations of touch, heat, and cold.
Skin has three layers:
Skin has three layers:
- The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.
- The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
STRUCTURE OF SKIN
![Picture](/uploads/8/0/7/8/80782094/483330.jpg?414)
Skin has three layers:
Epidermis
The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.
Dermis
The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles and sweat glands.
Hypodermis
The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
Other components of the skin include:
Blood vessels
To help keep your body a constant temperature, blood vessels in the skin dilate in response to heat or constrict in response to cold.
Sebaceous glands
The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that helps keep skin from drying out. Most of the glands are located in the base of hair follicles. Acne starts when the tiny hair follicles become plugged with these oily secretions.
Sweat glands
When your body gets hot or is under stress, these glands produce sweat, which evaporates to cool you. Sweat glands are located all over the body but are especially abundant in your palms, soles, forehead, and underarms.
Hair follicle
Every hair on your body grows from a live follicle with roots in the fatty layer called subcutaneous tissue.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up 75% of your skin. This is also your fountain of youth as it's responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. Over time, environmental factors and ageing diminish your body's ability to produce collagen.
Elastin
When you hear the word elastin, think elastic. This protein is found with collagen in the dermis and is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs. As with collagen, elastin is affected by time and the elements. Diminished levels of this protein cause your skin to wrinkle and sag.
Keratin
Keratin is the strongest protein in your skin. It's also dominant in your hair andnails. Keratin is what forms the rigidity of your skin.
Colour
The skin’s colour is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.
source: http://www.webmd.boots.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/picture-of-the-skin
Epidermis
The epidermis, the outermost layer of skin, provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.
Dermis
The dermis, beneath the epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles and sweat glands.
Hypodermis
The deeper subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is made of fat and connective tissue.
Other components of the skin include:
Blood vessels
To help keep your body a constant temperature, blood vessels in the skin dilate in response to heat or constrict in response to cold.
Sebaceous glands
The sebaceous glands secrete sebum, an oily substance that helps keep skin from drying out. Most of the glands are located in the base of hair follicles. Acne starts when the tiny hair follicles become plugged with these oily secretions.
Sweat glands
When your body gets hot or is under stress, these glands produce sweat, which evaporates to cool you. Sweat glands are located all over the body but are especially abundant in your palms, soles, forehead, and underarms.
Hair follicle
Every hair on your body grows from a live follicle with roots in the fatty layer called subcutaneous tissue.
Collagen
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the skin, making up 75% of your skin. This is also your fountain of youth as it's responsible for warding off wrinkles and fine lines. Over time, environmental factors and ageing diminish your body's ability to produce collagen.
Elastin
When you hear the word elastin, think elastic. This protein is found with collagen in the dermis and is responsible for giving structure to your skin and organs. As with collagen, elastin is affected by time and the elements. Diminished levels of this protein cause your skin to wrinkle and sag.
Keratin
Keratin is the strongest protein in your skin. It's also dominant in your hair andnails. Keratin is what forms the rigidity of your skin.
Colour
The skin’s colour is created by special cells called melanocytes, which produce the pigment melanin. Melanocytes are located in the epidermis.
source: http://www.webmd.boots.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/guide/picture-of-the-skin
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