Two‐layered outer integument or covering of the body, consisting of the dermis and the epidermis and resting upon the subcutaneous tissues. The outer ectodermal epidermis is more or less cornified and penetrated by the openings of sweat and sebaceous glands, and the inner mesodermal dermis is composed largely of connective tissue and is richly supplied with blood vessels and nerves. Called also cutis.
Thin outer covering [vague term].
The body’s first line of defense against disease prevents organisms and disease-producing substances from entering the body. The sometimes referred to as the body’s 10th system and is sometimes referred to as an organ.
The tissue which forms the outside surface of the body.
Outer covering of the body, the largest organ of the body. It protects the body from injury and invasion by microorganisms, helps (through hair follicles and sweat glands) to maintain body temperature, serves as a sensory network, lubricates and waterproofs the exterior, and serves as an organ of excretion. The skin consists of an outer layer: the epidermis and an inner layer: the dermis (corium).
The protective outer tissue covering the body. The skin holds in body fluids, helps regulate body temperature, and forms the first line of defense against infection and injury to internal body structures and tissues. The skin is also a vast sensory organ, filled with nerve endings that register touch, pressure, heat, and cold.
The outer covering of the body, consisting of an outer layer, the epidermis, and an inner layer, the dermis. Beneath the dermis is a layer of fatty tissue. The skin has several functions. The epidermis protects the body from injury and from invasion by parasites. It also helps to prevent the body from becoming dehydrated. The combination of erectile hairs, sweat glands, and blood capillaries in the skin form part of the temperature-regulating mechanism of the body. When the body is too hot, loss of heat is increased by sweating and by the dilation of the capillaries. When the body is too cold the sweat glands are inactive, the capillaries contract, and a layer of air is trapped over the epidermis by the erected hairs. The skin also acts as an organ of excretion (by the secretion of sweat) and as a sense organ (it contains receptors that are sensitive to heat, cold, touch, and pain). The layer of fat underneath the dermis can act as a reservoir of food and water.
The membrane which envelops the outer surface of the body, meeting at the body’s various orifices, with the mucous membrane lining the internal cavities.
The organ that forms the outer surface of the body. It shields the body against infection, dehydration, and temperature changes; provides sensory information about the environment; manufactures vitamin D; and excretes salts and small amounts of urea.
The skin is the body’s largest organ and serves as the external layer of body tissue. It consists of two main layers: the epidermis, which is the outer layer, and the dermis, the inner layer. Underneath these layers lies the fatty subcutaneous tissue.
The epidermis is made up of flat cells that, when observed under a microscope, look similar to cobblestones. The thickness of this layer varies across different parts of the body: it’s thickest on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet, while being thinnest on areas like the eyelids.
The outer layer of the epidermis consists of dead cells that create a durable, hardened protective barrier. As these dead cells get shed, they are replenished by new cells generated by the quickly dividing living cells located in the innermost section of the epidermis.
Situated between the outer and inner sections of the epidermis is an intermediate zone, which contains a mix of both living and dead cells.
The majority of cells in the epidermis produce keratin, a resilient protein that makes up the bulk of the outer layer. A subset of these cells generate the pigment melanin, which shields the skin from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and also influences skin color.
The dermis consists of connective tissue and is richly populated with various structures like hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands, as well as blood and lymph vessels. Additionally, it contains specialized nerve formations known as sensory receptors, which can sense pressure, temperature, and pain.
The primary role of the skin is to serve as a protective shield. It constitutes the principal barrier between external environmental factors and the body’s internal organs, offering protection against physical injury, harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun, and microbial infections like bacteria.
The skin serves as a sensory organ, packed with cells that are responsive to touch, temperature, pain, pressure, and itchiness. Additionally, the skin is instrumental in regulating body temperature. When the body overheats, sweat glands produce moisture to cool it down, and the dermal blood vessels expand to release excess heat. Conversely, when the body is cold, these blood vessels contract to retain warmth.
The epidermis features a fatty substance that makes the skin waterproof, preventing it from absorbing moisture excessively. The outer layer of the epidermis also excels at retaining water, which adds to its elasticity and aids in maintaining the body’s fluid and electrolyte balance. If the water content falls below a specific threshold, the skin can become dry and cracked, diminishing its effectiveness as a protective barrier.
The skin is the body’s external covering, comprised of two layers: the outer layer, known as the epidermis, and the inner layer, termed the dermis. It features sweat and oil glands, hair follicles, and sensory receptors for touch, temperature, and pain. Sweating plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature. The skin is a living organ, as vital as the brain, liver, or kidneys. It reflects emotional states, reddening with anger and whitening with fear. It can also react to stress, with conditions like rashes sometimes resulting from scratching due to nervousness. Contrary to popular belief, externally applied “skin foods” don’t nourish the skin; it derives its nutrients from the blood. Products like soap or petroleum jelly can only clean or moisturize the surface. While some cosmetic products claim to enhance skin health using ingredients like vitamins or hormones, they typically don’t provide any significant benefits. In fact, some can even cause skin sensitivities or rashes.