SKIN

STRUCTURE:- Largest organ of the body. Non-uniform thickness(avg thickness=1 to 2mm); thick in palm ,sole
and interscapular region(about 5mm); thin in eyelids and penis (0.5mm only). It has two layers outer
epidermis and Inner epidermis

EPIDERMIS
Outer layer of skin formed by stratified epithelium.
Blood vessels are absent. Capillaries of dermis provide nutrition.
Layers: 1] Stratum corneum 2] Stratum lucidum 3] Stratum granulosum 4] Stratum spinosum 5] Stratum
germinativum

1] STRATUM CORNEUM :

• It is also known as horny layer

• Outermost layer; consists of dead cells called corneocytes.
• The cytoplasm is flattened with fibrous protein known as keratin

2] STRATUM LUCIDUM :
• Flattened epithelial cells. Many cells have degenerated nucleus and some have no nucleus.
• Has Shiny character, thus, appear as homologous translucent zone

3] STRATUM GRANULOSUM :
• Thin layer with two to five rows of flattened rhomboid cells.
• Cytoplasm contains granules of a protein called keratohyalin. (Keratohyalin is the precursor of keratin)

4] STRATUM SPINOSUM :
• Cells of this layer possess some spine like protoplasmic projections by which the cells are connected to
one another.

5] STRATUM GERMINATIVUM
• Thick layer made up of polygonal cells, superficially and columnar or cuboidal epithelial cells in the deeper
parts.
• New cells are constantly formed by mitotic division. The newly formed cells move continuously towards the
stratum corneum.
• The stem cells, which give rise to new cells, are known as keratinocytes
• Melanocytes produce the pigment called melanin. The color of the skin depends upon melanin.
• Projections called rete ridges extend down up to dermis. These projections provide anchoring and
nutritional function.

DERMIS
Inner layer of the skin; C.T layer, made up of collagen fibers, fibroblasts and histiocytes.
Collagen fibers exhibit elastic property and are capable of storing or holding water; contains the enzyme
collagenase . Layers of Dermis : 1. Superficial papillary layer 2. Deeper reticular layer.

1] SUPERFICIAL PAPILLARY LAYER

• Projects into the epidermis. It contains blood vessels, lymphatic and nerve fibers.
• This layer also has some pigment containing cells known as chromatophores.
• Dermal papillae are fingerlike projections, arising from the superficial papillary dermis. The papillae are
surrounded by rete ridges.
2] RETICULAR LAYER
• Made up of reticular and elastic fibers (found around the hair bulbs, sweat glands and sebaceous
glands).
• Immediately below the dermis, subcutaneous tissue is present.
• Lot of smooth muscles called arrector pili are also found in skin around the hair follicles

APPENDAGES OF SKIN : Hair follicles with hair, nails, sweat glands, sebaceous glands and mammary glands.

1] PIGMENTATION OF SKIN
• Skin cells contain a brown pigment called melanin, synthesized by melanocytes. After synthesis, melanin
spreads to other layers cells.
• Skin becomes dark when melanin content increases.
• It is protein in nature and it is synthesized from the amino acid tyrosine via dihydroxyphenylalanine
(DOPA).
• Deficiency of melanin leads to albinism .

2] HEMOGLOBIN IN THE BLOOD

Skin becomes:
▪ Pale, when hemoglobin content decreases
▪ Pink, when blood rushes to skin due to cutaneous vasodilatation (blushing)
▪ Bluish during cyanosis, which is caused by excess amount of reduced hemoglobin

FUNCTIONS OF SKIN
1] Protective – a)Bacteria and toxic substances ii. Mechanical blow iii. Ultraviolet rays.
2] Sensory 3] storage 4] Synthetic 5] regulation of body temperature 6] regulation of water and electrolyte
balance 7]excretory 8]absorptive 8]Secretory
GLANDS OF SKIN -1]Sebaceous glands 2]Sweat glands

1]SEBACEOUS GLAND
Simple or branched alveolar glands, situated in the dermis of skin.
Structure: ovoid / spherical in shape
Location: At the side of the hair follicle. These glands develop from hair follicles.So, the sebaceous glands are
absent over the thick skin, which is devoid of hair follicles.
Secretion: Secrete an oily substance called sebum.
Composition of Sebum:1. Free fatty acid 2. Triglycerides 3. Squalene 4. Sterols 5. Waxes 6. Paraffin
Functions of Sebum : 1. Antibacterial & antifungal actions 2. Keeps the skin smooth & oily 3.Prevent heat loss.

Activation of Sebaceous Glands at Puberty:

At the time of puberty, these glands are activated by sex hormones in both males and females. At the time of
puberty, particularly in males, due to the increased secretion of sex hormones, especially
dehydroepiandrosterone, the sebaceous glands are stimulated suddenly. It leads to the development of acne
on the face.

Acne : Localized inflammatory condition of the skin. It occurs because of overactivity of sebaceous glands.
Acne vulgaris is the common type of acne that is developed during adolescence. Acne disappears within few
years, when the sebaceous glands become adapted to the sex hormones.
2] SWEAT GLANDS
Two types: 1. Eccrine glands 2. Apocrine glands.