As the body’s largest organ, skin protects against germs, regulates body temperature and enables touch (tactile) sensations. The skin’s main layers include the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis and is prone to many problems, including skin cancer, acne, wrinkles and rashes. Show
OverviewThe three layers of skin on top of muscle tissue.What is the skin?The skin is the body’s largest organ, made of water, protein, fats and minerals. Your skin protects your body from germs and regulates body temperature. Nerves in the skin help you feel sensations like hot and cold. Your skin, along with your hair, nails, oil glands and sweat glands, is part of the integumentary (in-TEG-you-MEINT-a-ree) system. “Integumentary” means a body’s outer covering. AnatomyWhat are the layers of the skin?Three layers of tissue make up the skin:
What does the epidermis (top layer of skin) do?Your epidermis is the top layer of the skin that you can see and touch. Keratin, a protein inside skin cells, makes up the skin cells and, along with other proteins, sticks together to form this layer. The epidermis:
What does the dermis (middle layer of skin) do?The dermis makes up 90% of skin’s thickness. This middle layer of skin:
What does the hypodermis (bottom layer of skin) do?The bottom layer of skin, or hypodermis, is the fatty layer. The hypodermis:
What else makes up the skin?One inch of your skin has approximately 19 million skin cells and 60,000 melanocytes (cells that make melanin or skin pigment). It also contains 1,000 nerve endings and 20 blood vessels. CareHow can I protect my skin?You lose collagen and elastin as you age. This causes the skin’s middle layer (dermis) to get thinner. As a result, the skin may sag and develop wrinkles. While you can’t stop the aging process, these actions can help maintain healthier skin:
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen should I talk to a doctor?You should call your healthcare provider if you experience:
A note from Cleveland Clinic As the body’s largest organ, your skin plays a vital role in protecting your body from germs and the elements. It keeps your body at a comfortable temperature, and nerves beneath the skin provide the sense of touch. This external body covering can have serious problems like skin cancer, as well as more common issues like acne and skin rashes. Your healthcare provider can offer tips to help keep skin healthy. Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information
enews More health news + infoWhat are the 4 main functions of skin?Functions of the skin. Protecting against pathogens. ... . Storing lipids (fats) and water.. Creating sensation through nerve endings that detect temperature, pressure, vibration, touch, and injury.. Controlling water loss by preventing water from escaping by evaporation.. What are the main structures of the skin what are their functions?The skin consists of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis. Beneath the dermis lies the hypodermis or subcutaneous fatty tissue. The skin has three main functions: protection, regulation and sensation. Wounding affects all the functions of the skin.
What are the 4 main structures of the integumentary system?The integumentary system is the largest organ of the body that forms a physical barrier between the external environment and the internal environment that it serves to protect and maintain. The integumentary system includes the epidermis, dermis, hypodermis, associated glands, hair, and nails.
What are the 4 types of skin cells?What is a Skin Cell? The term 'skin cell' may refer to any of the four main types of cells found in the epidermis. These are keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells. Each type of skin cell has a unique role that contributes to the overall structure and function of the skin.
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