Lecture Week 6

The skin is the largest organ of the body.  As the primary interface between ourselves and our environment, the skin serves several distinct functions.

• protection
• sensation
• thermoregulation
• communication.
•  Skin is also self-repairing after injury.

The microscopic anatomy of skin reflects this functional complexity, with each functional specialization implemented by particular features of cell and tissue structure.

• LAYERS of skin
  • epidermis
  • dermis
• APPEARANCE of skin
• CELL TYPES
  • Epidermal cells -- keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, Merkel cells
  • Dermal cells -- see connective tissue cells
• SPECIAL STRUCTURES
  • sweat glands
  • hair follicles, sebaceous glands
  • nails
  • innervation
  • vasculature
• REGIONAL DIFFERENTIATION
• FUNCTIONS of skin
  • Containment
  • Protection
• Healing after injury
• Sensation
• Thermoregulation
• Communication
• BIOPSY -- Examine and interpret a skin biopsy specimen.

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Comments and questions: dgking@siu.edu

SIUC / College of Science / Zoology / Faculty / David King / ZOOL 409
URL: http://www.science.siu.edu/zoology/king/409/s6.htm
Last updated:  16 February 2004 / dgk