skin layers and skin

appendages (L2)

Dr. Afrah Hameed

 skin
Largest organ of the
body
2 layers (epidermis &
dermis)
Beneath the dermis lies
the hypodermis or
subcutaneous tissue.
 Epidermis
The epidermis consists of
five layers of
keratin –producing cells
(keratinocytes)
Layers of epidermis
Stratum basale (germinativum)
● Single layer of cuboidal cells
● Contain Stems cells, is
characterized by intense
mitotic activity which give rise
to keratinocytes
● The cells bind together by
Desmosomes and
hemidesmomes
● Contain melanocytes.
● Responsible for The renewal
of the epidermis about every 3
to 4 weeks.
 Stratum spinosum
• Consists of cuboidal cells with
central nucleus
• The cytoplasmic processes
filled with bundles of keratin
filaments, these celluler
extensions (spines) for
cohesion among cells and
resisting the effect of
abrasion.
• Melanin granules are presents
in this layer.
 Stratum granulosum
• 3-5 layers of flattened
polygonal cells
• Cytoplasm filled with
Keratohyalin granules
• These granules fuse with cell
membrane and discharge
their contents into the
intercellular spaces of st.
granulosum, which are
deposited in the form of
sheets containing lipid,
which act as a barrier to
prevent penetration by
foreign materials.
 Stratum lucidum
– Translucent thin layer of
extremely flattened
keratinocytes.
– The organelles and nuclei
are no longer evident
– Cytoplasm consist of
densely packed keratin
filaments .
 Stratum corneum
• Consists of 15-20 layers of
flattened non-nucleated
keratinized cells whose
cytoplasm is filled with
keratin .
• These cells are continuously
shed at the surface of the st.
corneum
• The epidermis
consists mainly of a
stratified squamous
keratinized
epithelium called
Keratinocytes , but it
also contains three
less abundant cell
types:
-Melanocytes,
-Langerhans cells,
-Merkels cells.
melanocytes
– they have round cell bodies from which irregular extensions branch
into the epidermis, running between the cells of the st.basale and
spinosum.

-Melanocytes produce the pigment melanin, once formed melanin

granules migrate within cytoplasmic extensions of the melanocytes
and are transferred to cells of the st.basale and spinosum of the
epidermis.

-Differences in Skin color result from differences in the amount of

melanin granules that melanocytes produce .
-The amount of melanin produced is affected by genetics and
environmental factors.
 Dermis
it’s a Connective tissue layer
that supports the epidermis.
The surface of the dermis is
very irregular and has many
projections (dermal
papillae).
it contains a network elastic
fibers which is responsible
for the elasticity of the skin.
a rich supply of nerves
Contains the hair follicles,
sweat glands, and sebaceous
glands.
 Skin appendages
• Include
– Hair follicles
– Sebaceous glands
– Sweat glands
 Hair follicle
Each hair arise from an
epidermal invagination,
called the hair follicle
and has a terminal
dilatation called a hair
bulb.
At the base of the hair
bulb, a hair papilla
the hair papilla contains
a capillary network that
is vital in sustaining the
hair follicle.
The cells in the hair bulb divide constantly and
differentiate in to specific cell types, which produce
hair medulla, Hair cortex, and hair cuticle.
The internal root sheath, which completely
surrounds the initial part of the hair shaft.
The external root sheath is surrounds internal root
sheath.
The glassy membrane separating the hair follicle
from the dermis, which result from thickening of the
basal lamina.
*
Hair color is created
by the activity of
melanocytes located
in the hair papilla.
The melanin pigment
found in the
medullary and cortical
cells of the hair shaft.
GLANDS OF THE SKIN
1- Sebaceous Glands
Are embedded in the dermis
over most of the body surface,
but more abundant in face,
forehead, and scalp, and are
not found in palms and soles.
Are acinar glands opening
into a short duct, this duct
ends in the upper portion of
the hair follicle, in certain
regions such as the glans
penis, glans clitoris, and lips,
it opens directly onto the
epidermal surface.
The acini consist of two type of
cells:
an outer layer of stem cell
called basal cells, these cells
proliferate to replace the lost
cells .
and central group of cells
which accumulate lipid
droplets in their cytoplasm.
Central cells disintegrate and
become a part of sebum
(sebaceous gland secretion).
GLANDS OF THE SKIN:
2- sweat glands Myoepithelial
cell

- They are simple coiled tubular

glands, widely distributed in the
skin. Consist of:
- The ducts are lined by stratified
cuboidal cells.
- The secretary part is embedded in
Secretory
the dermis lined by pyramidal cells cell
and Surrounded by myoepithelial
cells, contraction of these cells help
to discharge the secretion.
Sweat
duct
 Types of sweat
1- merocrine sweat glands:
glands
- Found in most areas of the skin
- Whose ducts open directly at the surface of
the skin not associated with hair follicle
- Secretory portion smaller with small
lumen.
- The fluid is Watery not viscous, mainly
consists of water, sodium chloride, urea,
ammonia, and uric acid.
- after release evaporates and cool the body,
and eliminates substances which is not
necessary for the organism.
 2- Apocrine sweat glands

- Found in limited areas (skin of the axilla,

areolar, anal and genital regions)
- Secretory portion larger with wide
lumen.
- Their Ducts open and Empty into hair
follicles(associated with hair follicle).
- Produce a viscous secretion contain fatty
acids and proteins , initially odorless but
Odor occurs when broken down by
bacteria.
- - They start secreting at puberty
 References:

1-Basic histology, text and atlas, eleventh

edition, Luiz Carlos Junqueira, and Jose
Carneiro