LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this lecture you should be able to:

1. List the functions of the skin
2. Compare and contrast the layers of the skin: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
3. Differentiate between the different layers of the epidermis in terms of structure
and function
4. Explain the processes of epidermal water barrier formation and pigment donation
5. List the different cell types in the skin
CASE STUDY Rupert:

OVERVIEW OF OUR SKIN

Layers of the Skin:

Epidermis: stratified squamous epithelium- derived from
Dermis: connective tissue (loose and dense irregular)- derived from
Hypodermis: loose CT….mainly tissue. (called superficial fascia in gross
anatomy).
Derivatives of skin include sweat glands, hair, sebaceous glands and nails.

Functions of the skin:

1) Barrier: protects against physical, chemical, and external environmental biologicals
2) Immunologic: Langerhans cells
3) Homeostasis:
4) Sensory information:
5) Endocrine functions- hormones and cytokines, vitamins
6) Exocrine functions- sweat, sebum

NOTES/QUESTIONS:

Thick Skin Thin Skin

Location in body

Presence of hair?
Epidermis- thick or thin?
Dermis- thick or thin?
 Layers of the Skin
The epidermis is made up of layers of keratinocytes that become more differentiated as
they reach the skin’s surface. Thick skin has 5 layers, whereas thin skin has 4 layers.
5 LAYERS OF THE EPIDERMIS
1) stratum basale=stratum germinativum
Made of progenitor cells that constantly renew epithelium. Made up of a single layer of low
columnar/cuboidal basophilic cells resting on the .
2) stratum spinosum aka “prickle cells”
Several layers of cells thick. Nodes of Bizzozzaro = desmosomes
3) stratum granulosum
1-3 cells thick. “Granular” looking because contains keratohyalin molecules. The keratoyhyalin
molecules contain the protein which works to aggregate keratin.
4) stratum lucidum
Poorly staining part of stratum corneum only found in thick skin. Eosinophilic refractile cells
containing large amounts of . Nuclei not visible.
5) stratum corneum
Anucleate, flattened cells with no cytoplasmic organelles. Cell membranes coated with glycolipid
(acylglucosylceramide). This layer gets thicker when exposed to more wear and tear: callus
formation.
LAYERS OF THE DERMIS
Epidermal ridges/ rete ridges: where the epidermis projects into the .
Dermal papillae: projections of dermis into the .
Interpapillary pegs: down growth of epidermis into dermis where sweat duct passes from
dermis to epidermis
Dermal ridges: form basis for - basal cells attach to dermis via
hemidesmosomes: attach to basement membrane via anchoring filaments- anchoring fibrils run
from basal lamina to the dermis below.

NOTES/QUESTIONS:

Question: What is the purpose of the epidermal ridges/dermal papillae?

LAYERS OF THE DERMIS
1. Papillary layer: loose C.T. carrying blood vessels and nerves – form
dermal papillae. Collagen type I/III.
2. Reticular layer: deep C.T. dense irregular CT. Variable thickness but ALWAYS thicker than
papillary layer. Type I collagen.
HYPODERMIS
Layer of adipose tissue called the . Has roles in energy
storage and insulation.

Cells of the Epidermis

Keratinocytes:
Melanocytes: melanin production
Langerhans’ cells: antigen presentation
Merkel’s cells: sensation (PNS)

KERATINOCYTE DIFFERENTIATION
Keratinocytes are the main cell type in epidermis.
1. In the stratum basale, keratinocytes have the standard synthetic machinery. They are
basophilic due to large numbers of ribosomes.
2. In the stratum spinosum, the keratinocytes become eosinophilic as the tonofilaments
(intermediate filaments) are formed. Keratinocytes in the stratum spinosum begin
making keratohyalin granules and lamellar bodies.
3. In the stratum granulosum, you get a large accumulation of keratohyalin granules and
lamellar bodies.
keratohyalin granules + = soft keratin
4. In the stratum corneum peptidases break apart desmosomes that are holding adjacent
cells together- this leads to the sloughing off of this layer.
EPIDERMAL WATER BARRIER
Made of 2 layers:
1. Cell envelope- made primarily of proteins deposited on inner surface of plasma
membrane
2. Lipid envelope- made primarily of lipids attached to cell surface. The most important
component is

NOTES/QUESTIONS:

EPIDERMAL WATER BARRIER CONT’D

Lamellar bodies are formed by the Golgi apparatus in the keratinocytes of the stratum
spinosum and stratum granulosum. They are responsible for making pro-barrier lipids as well
as lipid-processing enzymes. The lamellar bodies are released by into
the space between cells of the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum.
MELANOCYTES
Dendritic in appearance, skin pigment producing cells make
The primary function of melanin is to protect cells against non-ionizing UV radiation.
Usually in stratum basale and their processes reach into keratinocytes into the stratum
spinosum.
melanosomes
tyrosinase

Tyrosine DOPA Melanin

Enzymes (tyrosinase) convert tyrosine to 3,4 dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA)
DOPA converted to melanin in melanosomes (membrane bound structures in melanocytes)
Melanosomes transferred to keratinocytes by process called “pigment donation”.
Question: What is the difference between melanosomes in lighter skin vs. melanosomes
in darker skin?

LANGERHANS’ CELLS
Found in the stratum spinosum.
i. Macrophage-like cell that present antigens to recirculating T-cells
ii. Nucleus very basophilic, cytoplasm clear.

MERKEL’S CELLS
Function in cutaneous sensation. Found in the stratum basale and are joined to adjacent
keratinocytes by desmosomes.
Closely associated with afferent myelinated nerve cells.
Identified by the presence of neurosecretory granules

NOTES/QUESTIONS: