Skin is very intelligent structure of our body. It is very elastic and pretty strong to protect inner tissue. It also acts as thermo regulator of our entire body protecting from overheats when we sweat and when there is cold – the blood flow is reduced to skin tissues to save heat to inner organs of body.
Skin is pretty resistive to harmful chemicals, microorganisms and if dry it has high electrical receptivity. From biochemical side – skin can produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, which is essential for the growth and maintenance of our bones. The extensive network of nerves within the skin feeds information constantly to the brain concerning our surroundings. So it is full of sensors to know the external world like temperature, pressure. Don’t even let me start about skin importance in fashion industry. About how much there is attention paid to cosmetics, beauty shine. Skin can show you if you’re shy or cold or afraid. As you see, skin top layer of your body, and it can tell you so much and tell you many things, just get to know it.
Lets do it…
skin structure diagramMainly people used to name only two layers of skin epidermis and dermis. But in reality there more layers with own properties. In some cases dermatologists describe there even more layers of sub layers. I am going to be in the middle of this. Lets see the skin structure first:
So wee can see histological cut of skin layer. There are layers as follows:
- Stratum cornea;
- Epidermis;
- Papillary dermis;
- Reticular Dermis;
- Hypodermis.
Little bit about all of them:
Stratum corneaIt is the most top skin layer of dead cells. These cells are keratin impregnated and protect the skin surface. As well se later in my articles it also acts as light diffuser. Then follows more important skin layer
EpidermisEpidermis is about 0.1mm thick. It mainly consists of connective tissue and cells so called melanosomes who produce pigment melanin. The most interesting part is melanosomes and melanin. Melanin is pigment, which protects you deeper organs from hazardous Ultraviolet light.
White people got less of them; people with dark skin have more of them. In summer time when you get sunburn, you get darker, because your skin is trying to protect you from harmful ultraviolet light. This is why you should be very careful when taking sunbathes in springtime or in the beginning of summer, because your skin isn’t ready for taking much sunlight. Little by little taking sunbathes your skin produces more melanin, then you are more protected. People in Africa have dark skin – guess why?
Lets leave Epidermis go to Dermis side.
Papillary dermisPapillary dermis interconnects with epidermis. It consists of dense collagen tissue this is why mainly almost all light is reflected from this layer. Papillary dermis supports the epidermis with vital nutrients and secondly to provide a network for thermoregulation. There is nor or there is very little of melanin pigment on this layer.
Reticular dermis
This layer consists of dense irregular connective tissue, which differs from the papillary dermis, which is made up of mainly loose connective tissue. The reticular layer of the dermis is important in giving the skin it overall strength and elasticity, as well as housing other important epithelial derived structures such as glands and hair follicles.
HypodermisThe subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis) is the deepest layer of the skin. It is missing on parts of the body where the skin is especially thin-the eyelids, nipples, genitals, and shins. Subcutaneous tissue acts both as an insulator, conserving body heat, and as a shock absorber, protecting internal organs from injury. It also stores fat as an energy reserve in the event extra calories are needed to power the body. The blood vessels, nerves, lymph vessels, and hair follicles also cross through this layer.
That’s it skin structure diagram section this time. Follow next articles.
MM
