The Skin's Structure Of Human Skin

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The skin is the largest complex organ of the human body, accounting for about 15% of the total adult body weight. It covers the entire body surface as a flexible shield, which It performs many vital functions, including protection against external physical, chemical, and biologic assailants, as well as prevention of ex¬cess water loss from the body and a role in thermoregulation (Charkoudian, 2003). The skin is continuous, with the mucous membranes lining the body’s surface (Kanitakis, 2001). In terms of chemical composition, the skin is made up from about 70% water, 25% proteins and 3% lipids. The reminder includes minerals, nucleic acids, glycosamines, proteoglycans and numerous other chemicals (Wagner et al., 2002).

1.1.2 Human skin's structure …show more content…

Skin is composed of two layers: the outer epidermis and the underlying dermis. The two layers are firmly associated and together form a barrier that ranges in thickness from 0.5 mm (e.g. eyelid) to 4 mm (e.g. palm or sole). The epidermis and dermis are separated by a basement membrane. A third subcutaneous layer is to be found below the dermis and is composed mainly of adipocytes. Although this layer is not technically part of the skin, it plays an integral role by acting as a heat insulator and shock absorber (Murphy, 1997)(Figure …show more content…

Epidermis consists of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basement membrane. The principle cell of the epidermis is the keratinocyte (KC). Other constituents of the normal epidermis are Langerhans cells, melanocytes, Merkel cells and sporadic T-lymphocytes. Epidermis is subdivided into the following strata (beginning with the outermost layer): stratum corneum (SC), stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum (SS) and stratum basale (SB). In the thick skin on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands, the stratum lucidum (SL) can be found (Murphy, 1997, James et al.,

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