VC1.H2.1 Histology of the Skin
Histology of the Skin:
- The skin is the largest organ of our bodies
- The skin covers our bodies and provides a barrier protecting us from the external environment
- As part of the protective role, the skin contains numerous sensory receptors to assist in monitoring changes in our external environment, along with our eyes, ears and other sense organs
- The skin consists of an outer epidermis and an inner dermis
- Deep to the dermis lies a layer of adipose (fat) tissue which is known, by histologists, as the hypodermis
- It is not part of the skin
- In gross anatomy, this layer is referred to as the superficial fascia
- The epidermis is a stratified squamous keratinising epithelium
- The keratin in the superficial layers of the epidermis is resistant to abrasion and chemical attack
- The dermis is connective tissue, mostly dense connective tissue
- This layer is very strong and is important in maintaining the integrity of the more superficial epidermis
- Leather, is essentially the dermis of a cow's skin
Answer Submitted
