Histology of Skin

dr. Alya Amila Fitrie, M.Kes

dr. Radita Nur Anggraeni
Department of Histology
Medical Faculty University of North Sumatera
2008
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INTRODUCTION
The heaviest single
organ of the body,
16% of TBW.
Presenting 1,2 2,3 m2 of
surface.
Composed of :
Epidermis : an epithelial layer
of ectodermal origin
Dermis : a layer of connective
tissue of mesodermal origin.
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Comparative thickness of the skin

EPIDERMIS
Consist mainly of
a stratified squamous
keratinized epithelium
keratinocytes.
Three << abundant cell types :
1. Melanocytes : neural crest-derived cell
2. Langerhans cell : derived from bone
marrow precursor
3. Merkels cell : neural crest-derived cell

Five layers of keratin-producing

cells (keratinocytes) :

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Stratum basale
(stratum germinativum)
Stratum spinosum
Stratum granulosum
Stratum lucidum
Stratum corneum

Stratum basale
(Stratum germinativum)
Single layer of basophilic columnar or
cuboidal cell resting on basement
membrane at the dermal-epidermal
junction.
Desmosom (+), hemidesmosom (+)
Stem cells intense mitotic activity & is
responsible, in conjunction with the initial
portion of the next layer, for constant
renewal of epidermal cells.
Human epidermis is renewed about every
15-30 days.

Stratum spinosum
Consists of cuboidal or
slighly flattened cell, a
central nucleus, a
cytoplasms processes :
bundles of keratin filaments,
a spine-studded appearance
(tonofilaments).
The filaments :
Maintaining cohesion among
cells
Resisting the effect of abrasion

Stratum basale + stratum

spinosum = stratum
Malpighi mitoses

Stratum spinosum (cont.)

Stratum spinosum of the thick skin from sole of the

foot. Pararosaniline-toluidine blue. Medium magnification

Stratum granulosum
Consists of 3-5 layers of
flattened polygonal cells,
cytoplasm filled with
keratohyalin granules.
The membrane-coated lamellar
granules : containing lamellar disks that
are formed by lipid bilayers. This
granules : fuse with cell membrane
discharge their contents intercellular
spaces of stratum granulosum form of
sheets containing lipid

Stratum lusidum
Translucent, thin layer
of flattened eosinophilic
epidermal cells.
Organelles & nuclei (-)
Cytoplasm : densely packed keratin
filaments
Desmosom (+) between adjacent
cells
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Stratum corneum

Cornified envelope lipids

Consists of 15-20 layers

of flattened nonnucleated keratinized cells.
Cytoplasm :
a birerfringent filamentous
scleroprotein, keratin.
After keratinization, the cells consist of only
fibrillar & amorphous proteins; & thickened
plasma membrane horny cells or corneocyte
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Melanocytes
A specialized cell of the epidermis
found beneath or between the cells
of the stratum basale & in the hair
follicles.
Derived from neural crest cells.
Hemidesmosomes(+)
,
desmosome (-)
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Melanogenesis

http://www.ambion.com/tools/pathway/loadImage.p
hp?pos=bl&im=images/Melanocyte
%20Development%20and%20Pigmentation.jpg

Tyrosinase is synthesized in the RER, accumulated in GoC

vesikel : melanosom. Melanin synthesis in the melanosom II
melanosom III melanin granules.
Melanin granules migrates & transferred to the keratinocytes of the
malpighian layer.

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Melanocyte
Melanin granules
accumulate in the
supranuclear region
of the cytoplasm
protecting from
deleterious effects
of solar radiation.
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Langerhans Cells
Star-shaped
Location : stratum
spinosum
Bone marrow-derived
Important in immunologic skin
reaction
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Merkels Cells
Generally in the thick
skin of palms and soles.
Resemble the epidermal
epithelial cells, with
small dense granules in cytoplasm.
Free nerve ending at the base.
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Immunologic Activity in the Skin

Its large size
Lymphocytes >>>
Antigen-presenting cells (APC)
Close contacts with antigenic
molecules

Epidermis has an important role in some

types of immune response
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DERMIS
Dermis is connective tissue that
Support epidermis
Binds epidermis to hypodermis

The thickness : varies

The surface : irregular dermal
papillae >< epidermal ridges.
Contains 2 layers :
Papillary layer
Reticular layer
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Papillary Layer
Composed of :
Loose connective tissue
Fibroblasts
Other connective tissue cells : mast
cells & macrophages
Extravasated leukocytes

Anchoring fibrils (+) : special

collagen fibrils
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Reticular Layer
Composed of :
Irregular dense connective tissue
(type I collagen)
More fibers, fewer cells.

Contains a network of fibers of

elastic system responsible for the
elasticity of the skin.
Thick section
of skin stained
for the fibers
of the elastic
fibers.
Weigerts stain
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DERMIS (cont)
Rich network of blood & lymph
vessels.
Arteriovenous shunt temperature
regulation.
In addition, dermis contains : epidermal
derivatives :
Hair follicle
Sweat & sebaceous glands
Nerves
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Subcutaneous Tissue
Consists of loose connective tissue.
Contain fat cells that vary in
number & size.
Referred to superficial fascia , >>
panniculus adiposus

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Skin & Lymphatic Vessels

The arterial vessels 2 plexuses :
between papillary reticular layer
between dermis subcutaneous tissue

The venous 3 plexuses :

Like arterial vessels + in the middle of the
dermis.

Lymphatic vessels : begin as closed

sacs in the papillae of dermis form
two plexuses.
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Skin Sensorial Receptors

Free nerve endings
The expanded :
Ruffini endings

The encapsulated :
Vater-Pacini
Meissner
Krause.
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Meissner & Paccinian corpuscle

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GLANDS OF THE SKIN

Sweat glands
- Eccrine
- Apocrine

Sebaceous glands
Mammary gland

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Sweat Gland

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Sweat Gland

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Sebaceous Gland

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Sebaceous Gland

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HAIRS

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Hair follicle

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NAILS

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Histology of Nail

E=eponychium, H= hyponychium, N=nail plate,

DP=distal phalanx
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References
Junqueira, L.C. & Carneiro, J. Basic Histology, Text &
Atlas, 11th edition, Lange Medical Books McGraw-Hill.
2005
Gartner, L.P. & Hiatt, J.L. Colour Textbook of
Histology, Third Edition. 2007
Kierszenbaum AL. Histology & Cell Biology, An
Introduction to Pathology, 2nd ed. Mosby Elsevier.
2007
Pakurar AS, Bigbee JW. Digital Histology, an
interactive CD atlas with review text, Wiley-Liss,
2004
Berman I, Color Atlas of Basic Histology, Second
Edition, Lange, 1998.
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Terima kasih.

Terima kasih

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