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Skin.

Writer's picture: Thalia PolkThalia Polk

What is the skin? We see it and feel it every single day. But what is it really made up of and why is it such a big deal? Our skin is a complex organ with a wide range of vital roles. For instance, our skin is responsible for protecting us from pathogens, helping us maintain the proper body temperature, and holding us together - literally! Certainly, we could not do without it. In this post, I will break down the layers of the skin, provide information on the contents and function of each layer, and provide some interesting facts about our skin.



The Epidermis

The epidermis is the outer, top-most layer of our skin. It consists of five layers and is responsible for making new skin cells, giving our skin its color, and protecting our bodies.


The five layers of the epidermis are (from top to bottom):

*Stratum Corneum

*Stratum Lucidum

*Stratum Granulosum

*Stratum Spinosum

*Stratum Basale

Skin Care by Thalia

New skin cells are made in the basal layer (aka the stratum germinativum) of the epidermis and travel up, through the remaining four layers. This process takes about one month and is called desquamation. Our skin sheds approximately 500 million dead cells per day! An important cell produced in the epidermis is the keratinocyte. Keratinocytes are part of the body's immune system and act as a barrier against bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses, heat, UV rays, and water loss. Melanocytes are also found in the epidermis. Melanocytes produce melanin, which is the pigment in our skin that helps protect us from the sun's ultraviolet rays. Other cells found in the epidermis are squamous cells and basal cells.



The Dermis

Skin Care by Thalia

The dermis is the middle layer of our skin. The dermis is held together by collagen, which is a protein made from fibroblasts. Made mostly of connective tissues, the dermis gives our skin its strength and flexibility. Tears in the dermis result in stretch marks on our skin. Pain and touch receptors, blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, collagen bundles, fibroblasts, and nerves are all found in the dermis.





The Subcutaneous Layer

The subcutaneous layer is the deepest layer of our skin and consists of a network of collagen, fat cells and elastin. It plays an important role by controlling our body temperature, storing fat, attaching the dermis to our muscles and bones, protecting the body from damage by acting as a shock absorber, and by providing the skin with nerves and blood supply.



Interesting Facts About Our Skin

  • The skin is the largest and heaviest organ.

  • It covers an average of 20 square feet and weighs approximately one-seventh of our total body weight.

  • An average square inch contains 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, and more than 1,000 nerve endings

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