Geek Out On Your Skin: Skin Anatomy
Your skin is so much more than a layer of protection that envelopes the integrity of your entire body. It is such a unique and complex system that we quite often take for granted.
Without your skin, it would be impossible to regulate the temperature. It gathers tons of sensory information and even helps your immune system.
There are no larger organs in the human body than the skin. However, we don’t know that much about it. Let’s change that. Dig deep and learn more about this fantastic layer that saves your life every day.
The skin consists of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue. Let’s start from the surface and work our way down.
Epidermis: The Outer Layer
The epidermis can be anywhere from 0.5mm to 1.5mm thick. It is the thinnest on your eyelids and the thickest on your feet and your hands. Even though it is so thin, there are as many as five layers in epidermis only.
- Stratum corneum – the outmost layer of your skin. Consists of dead keratinocytes and is completely replaced every two weeks.
- Stratum lucidum – this is the layer that gives your hands and feet that extra thickness. It is not found anywhere else on your body.
- Stratum granulosum – keratinocytes move from this layer to the stratum corneum.
- Stratum spinosum – the place of the newly created keratinocytes. It is also called the squamous cell layer.
- Stratum basale – the deepest layer where it all starts. This is where the basal cells divide.
Dermis: The Middle Layer
The dermis is where all the blood capillaries are. They share dermis with connective tissue, as well as the oil and sweat glands. You will find the nerves here, as well.
You can divide the dermis into the papillary and reticular dermis. The papillary one is this thin layer, while the reticular is the deep, thick layer.
The dermis contains the collagen. That is the substance that gives your skin that youthful and fresh appearance. It also contains elastic tissue and reticular fibers.
Your hair follicles and sebaceous glands live in the dermis. All the significant acne flare-ups start and happen here, in the dermis. They happen because the hair follicle structure gets damaged due to the buildup of the sebum, dead skin cells, and specific types of skin bacteria.
The Subcutaneous Tissue: The Deep Layer
While being the deepest part of your skin, it is also the thickest. Subcutaneous tissue has a fair share of fat in it. Of course, it also has blood vessels and nerves, but they are present to some degree in all layers of skin.
Subcutaneous tissue is what protects your internal organs from harsh temperatures and injuries. It softens the blows and hits on the body, keeping the internal organs as intact as possible.
Therefore, it should not surprise you to learn that your behind has the most substantial amount of subcutaneous tissue. It serves as a cushion, among other things.
These three layers are very much different, but together, they form one of the most amazing organs of the human body. Therefore, doesn’t your skin deserve all the care you can give to it?
