basic skin structure

Question 1

what are the main 3 layers of skin?

Answer 1

• the epidermis.
  * the dermis.
  * the subcutaneous layer.

Question 2

what is the epidermis?

Answer 2

the epidermis is the top most layer of skin.

consists of there types of cells - keratinocytes, melanocytes, langerhans cells.

Question 3

what is the dermis?

Answer 3

the dermis is the middle layer of the skin, its the thickest of the skin layers and comprises of tight sturdy mesh of collagen and elastic fibers.

Question 4

what is the subcutaneous layer?

Answer 4

subcutaneous tissue is the innermost layer of the skin located under the dermis consisting of connective tissue and fat molecules.
subcutaneous fat acts as a shock absorber and heat insulator protecting underlying tissues from cold and mechanical trauma.

Question 5

what are the functions of the skin?

Answer 5

• protects the body against physical injury.
• provides some protection from the body against numerous pathogenic microbes and chemical agents.
• helps to restrict fluid and water loss.
• helps to prevent excessive water absorption by imparting water resistance to the skin.
• is involved in temperature regulation of the body.
• is the bodys main sensory organ for temperature, pressure, tough and pain.