Figure 1: The skin is composed of two main layers: the epidermis, made of closely packed epithelial cells, and the dermis, made of dense, irregular connective tissue that houses blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures.

“Our skin is primarily made of the protein collagen, which is produced by cells known as fibroblasts. When the skin (or any other tissue, for that matter) is wounded, the wound-healing process initiates the generation of new fibroblasts to produce scar collagen, which is different from the collagen in normal skin.

Layers of the Skin

• The Basal Cell Layer. The basal layer is the innermost layer of the epidermis, and contains small round cells called basal cells.
• The Squamous Cell Layer.
• The Stratum Granulosum & the Stratum Lucidum.
• The Stratum Corneum.
• The Papillary Layer.
• The Reticular Layer.

Five layers

Mnemonics used for remembering the layers of the skin (using “stratum basale” instead of “stratum germinativum”): “Corn Lovers Grow Several Bales” (from superficial to deep) “Before Signing, Get Legal Counsel” (from deep to superficial)

The dermis has connective tissue, blood vessels, oil and sweat glands, nerves, hair follicles, and other structures. It is made up of a thin upper layer called the papillary dermis, and a thick lower layer called the reticular dermis. Anatomy of the skin, showing the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

Mnemonics used for remembering the layers of the skin (using “stratum basale” instead of “stratum germinativum”): “Corn Lovers Grow Several Bales” (from superficial to deep) “Come Lets Get Some Beers” (from superficial to deep) “Before Signing, Get Legal Counsel” (from deep to superficial)

The dermis contains nerve endings, sweat glands and oil glands (sebaceous glands), hair follicles, and blood vessels.

Hair shaft is consisted of three layers: cuticle, cortex and in certain cases medulla.

The Seven Basic Functions of Human Skin

• barrier.
• protection.
• immunological.
• secretion.
• thermoregulation.
• sensitivity.
• absorption.

Six functions of the skin

• Controlling body temperature:
• Storing blood:
• Protection:
• Sensation:
• Absorption and excretion:
• Vitamin D production:

Your skin is the organ that comes into contact with the rest of the world. It holds body fluids in, preventing dehydration (dee-hahy-DREY-shun), and keeps harmful microbes (MYE-krobs) out—without it, we would get infections. Your skin is full of nerve endings that help you feel things like heat, cold, and pain.

Hair is actually a modified type of skin. Hair grows everywhere on the human body except the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and lips. Hair grows more quickly in summer than winter, and more slowly at night than during the day.

The function of human hair depends on the part of the body from which it grows. Human hair performs several functions. It protects the skin from environmental influences. For early humans, hair kept them warm, protected them from cuts and scrapes, provided camouflage, and even served as a nice handhold for the young.