Skin

By
Dr. Amal fares
 Skin
• It is the protective covering of the whole body.
• It is the largest & heaviest organ in the body.
 Function of skin
1. Protection: protective barrier
against infection, trauma,
ultraviolet rays.
2. Regulation of body temperature.
3. Excretion of water.
4. Synthesis of vitamin D.
5. Sensory organ.
6. Diagnosis of some disease.
7. Finger prints.
 Types of skin
A. Thick skin:
It has thick epidermis &
thick horny layer.
Sites: In palms & Sole.
B. Thin skin:
Sites:
all the body except …..
 Structure of skin
1. Epidermis:
outer epithelial layer,
keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium.
2. Dermis:
thicker deep C.T. layer.

Hypodermis: (not considered part of skin) deep layer of

adipose CT beneath dermis, subcutaneous tissue.
 Epidermis
• It is keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium.
• Avascular layer.
• Rich in free nerve endings.
• Formed of :
Keratinocytes &
Non-keratinocytes.
Layers of epidermis
1. Stratum basale (basal cell
layer)
– Deepest layer
– Single layer of columnar cells
on basal lamina
– Basophilic cytoplasm.
– Basal oval nucleus.
– Actively dividing cells
– Melanocytes and Markel's
cells are found in this layer.
Layers of epidermis
keratinocytes
1. Stratum corneum
2. Stratum lucidum (may be
absent)
3. Stratum granulosum
4. Stratum spinosum

5. Stratum basale
(germinativum)
 Layers of epidermis
2. Stratum Spinosum
– 4-8 layers of
polyhedral cells
– Central rounded
nucleus
– Less basophilic
cytoplasm
– Spine- like processes.
– Langerhans cells are
present in this layer
N.B.
Stratum basale & Stratum spinosum both are the malpighian layer.
Layers of epidermis
3. Stratum granulosum
– 2 to 3 layers of spindle
shaped cells with flat
nuclei.
– Cytoplasm contain
coarse basophilic
granules.
– Forms a cement that
acts as a barrier & has
sealing effect.
Layers of epidermis
4. Stratum lucidum
– Present only in thick
skin
– Thin layer of
flattened dead cells
with no nuclei.
– Cells are filled with
immature keratin
filaments.
Layers of epidermis
5. Stratum corneum
(horney layer)
– Thick layer of acidophilic,
flattened, non-nucleated,
dead cells
– Horny cells
– Filled with mature keratin
filaments
– Superifical cells are shed
from this layer.
 Non-keratinocytes
1. Langerhans cells
Origin: mesodermal
LM: star shaped, in stratum
spinosum, Pale cytoplasm,
dark nucleus, seen by vital
stains as india ink.
EM: many lysosomes, Golgi &
granules containing hydrolytic
enzymes.
Functions: phagocytosis.
Antigen presenting cells to T-
lymphocytes.
 Non-keratinocytes
2. Merkel’s cells
Origin: ectodermal
LM: between basal layer,
larger, nerve fiber
terminate as disc shaped
expansions beneath it.
Functions:
mechanoreceptors for
pressure sensation.
 Non-keratinocytes
3. Melanocytes
Origin: ectodermal
LM: in stratum basale, rounded
cells, rounded nuclei, with long
cytoplasmic processes extend
between keratinocytes.
EM: active protein synthesizing
cells, Contain melanosomes
Functions: form melanin
pigment which gives the skin
its color
 Dermis
• CT layer under epidermis.
• Thicker than epidermis
• Formed of 2 layers:
Papillary layer
Reticular layer.
Papillary layer Reticular layer
-Thin superficial -Thick deep
-Loose areolar C.T -Irregular white fibrous CT

-More vascular & contain -Less vascular

sensory nerve fibers

-More cellular (fibroblast, -Less cellular

mast, macrophages, (same cells).
leucocytes)
 Thin (hairy) skin
• It covers all the body except palms, soles.
• Eyelid has got the thinnest skin in the body
 Thick skin Thin skin
Sites Palms & sole Rest of the body

Epidermis Thicker Thinner

Malpighian layer Thicker Thinner
Granular layer Thicker (2-4) Thinner (single)
Clear layer Present Absent
Horny layer Very thick Very thin
Dermal papillae More, large, Fewer, small,
regular irregular
(Hair follicles,
Sebaceous g., Absent Present
Arrector pili m)
Sweat glands More numerous Less numerous