The skin is the largest complex organ of the human body, accounting for about 15% of the total adult body weight. It covers the entire body surface as a flexible shield, which It performs many vital functions, including protection against external physical, chemical, and biologic assailants, as well as prevention of ex¬cess water loss from the body and a role in thermoregulation (Charkoudian, 2003). The skin is continuous, with the mucous membranes lining the body’s surface (Kanitakis, 2001). In terms of chemical composition, the skin is made up from about 70% water, 25% proteins and 3% lipids. The reminder includes minerals, nucleic acids, glycosamines, proteoglycans and numerous other chemicals (Wagner et al., 2002).
1.1.2 Human skin's structure
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Skin is composed of two layers: the outer epidermis and the underlying dermis. The two layers are firmly associated and together form a barrier that ranges in thickness from 0.5 mm (e.g. eyelid) to 4 mm (e.g. palm or sole). The epidermis and dermis are separated by a basement membrane. A third subcutaneous layer is to be found below the dermis and is composed mainly of adipocytes. Although this layer is not technically part of the skin, it plays an integral role by acting as a heat insulator and shock absorber (Murphy, 1997)(Figure …show more content…
Epidermis consists of stratified squamous epithelium with an underlying basement membrane. The principle cell of the epidermis is the keratinocyte (KC). Other constituents of the normal epidermis are Langerhans cells, melanocytes, Merkel cells and sporadic T-lymphocytes. Epidermis is subdivided into the following strata (beginning with the outermost layer): stratum corneum (SC), stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum (SS) and stratum basale (SB). In the thick skin on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands, the stratum lucidum (SL) can be found (Murphy, 1997, James et al.,
Arch Dermatol. 2007;143(1):124–125. Puchenkova, S. G. (1996). "
...ons in the size and distribution of the major collagen fibrils of the dermis. J Invest Dermatol. 108(3):241-7 [PubMed: 9036918] Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9036918
When microdermabrasion removes the outer layer of skin the body then goes into a healing mode that promotes the making of new healthier cells. Microdermabrasion is like when one sustains an injury to his skin and the body sends treatment molecules to heal the damage. Mariane Fernandes conducted an experiment with the aim to evaluate the effects of microdermabrasion on skin rejuvenation. Fernandes stated in her article “Effects of microdermabrasion on skin rejuvenation” in the Journal of Cosmetic and Laser Therapy that “Microdermabrasion treatment promoted skin rejuvenation through an increase in skin thickness due to an increase in epidermal thickness and collagen organization” (Fernandes 26). Acne weakens and thins the skin epidermal layers, causing acne scars. Microdermabrasion heals the weak, thin, and fragile skin, which makes the skin smooth and more resistant to other damaging conditions. Doctor Bruce M. Freedman an aesthetic plastic surgeon and assistant professor of plastic surgery at Georgetown University also analyzed the dermatological changes associated with microdermabrasion in “Clinical and histologic changes determine optimal treatment regimens for microdermabrasion” in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment. Freedman’s experiment also yielded results of an increase of epidermal thickness
The second layer of the skin is called the dermis and is also known as the middle layer. The dermis is what holds the body together. The dermis has layers to it as well as the epidermis. There are two layers to the dermis, the papillary layer and the reticular layer. The cells of the dermis are fibroblast, macrophages, mast cells, and scattered white blood cells (wbc’s). the dermis is richly supplied with nerve fibers and BV;s. dermal BV’s is also a part of the integumentary system, dermal BV,s have converging and diverging vessels that ar...
The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body, and it defends the body from “foreign invaders.” Immunity can be divided in two three different defenses, and these are defined as first, second and third lines of defense. The first line of defense for the immune system is the primary defense against pathogens entering the body from the surface in order to prevent the start of disease and infection. Some examples of the first line of defense is the skin, protecting the external boundaries of the body, and the mucous membranes, protecting the internal boundaries of the body. Although the skin and mucous membranes work on the internal and external boundaries, they both release chemicals
Hair is considered one of the components of the integumentary system, along with the skin, nails, glands and nerves. Mammalian hair has many functions including protection from environmental factors and the ability to disperse sweat gland products such as pheromones. Almost every part of the human body is covered by hair except for the palms, hands and bottoms of the feet. On average, every person has about five million hairs; each of these hairs is born from a follicle or tiny tube-like structure that grows into the dermis layer of the skin. Oftentimes this follicle even reaches the subcutaneous layer, which is made of fat and connective tissue. (UXL Complete Health Research, 2001)
The epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin, is made up of four to five layers in some parts (Shier, Butler, & Lewis, 2009). In the majority of the areas, just four layers can be differentiated: the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and stratum corneum (p.119). Another layer is the stratum lucidum which can be found in the thicker part of the skin of the palms and ...
Colorism is a form of discrimination based on the color of someone’s skin tone. Colorism has the greatest impact on the African American culture and community. It is sad that we have to face discrimination within our own ethnic group, Along with every other ethnic group in the United States. Colorism has been passed down generation after generation. It is dated all the way back to the slavery dates. The idea of light skin being better than dark skin has been deeply rooted in our culture. We see colorism in our everyday life on social network, in our workplace, school, and relationship. We don’t even recognize it because we are unfamiliar of the word colorism and its meaning. So we ignore the fact that people are being treated different in their own race because of the shade of their skin. People are taught colorism growing up informally and don’t realize the effect it has on our culture, because we see it as normal and we were brainwashed to think that. Colorism is an issue amongst African Americans that is slowly tearing down the culture as it has been for centuries and still is today.
The first layer, the epidermis, contains keratin which is a water proof protein. This makes the body water proof and keeps water from entering the body. This layer also consist of two specialized cells, langerhans cells and melanocytes. Langerhans cells are macrophages which is a white blood cell that phagocytize infectious agents. They then travel to lymphatic organs. Melanocytes lye deep in the epidermis, and produces melanin. This is the main pigment for skin color. The second layer, the dermis, is a fibrous connective tissue. It is made up of dense fibrous connective tissue and consist of collagen and elastic fibers. The purpose of the collagen fibers are to allow stretching to prevent tearing of the skin; unlike the elastic fibers which only allows for normal tension for stretching, allowing movement of muscles and joints. As we age, the fibers become weaker causing the skin to wrinkle. The blood vessels in the dermis help
To begin we will look at the integumentary system and its entire multitude of functions. The main components of the integumentary system are the skin, hair, nails, glands and nerves. For the purpose of this paper we will focus mainly on the levels of the skin and their functions. While the integumentary
“Living with Burn Trauma,” an online article, states that “human skin is the largest organ of the body.” It provides many functions which assist humans to survive. What happens if this vital organ is destroyed? This is a question with which thousands of Americans are challenged annually. In the United States alone, 4,000 people die in burn accidents or from complications of burn injuries (“Prevention”). One common misconception is that burn victims have all come into contact with flames. Burns result from fires, electricity, hot liquids, chemicals, and even ultraviolet rays. Seeking medical attention for a proper diagnosis is critical to ensuring quality treatment and management of burns. Burn Centers have been established to help patients adapt to life after burns, which can be a great challenge. In today’s society, hospitals and medical professionals can treat burn victims, but the best remedy for burns is prevention.
Epidermis, dermis and the hypodermis or subcutaneous layers are all the working staples of these functions in this system. The epidermis,the outermost layer consists of the “dead skin” that you slough off to make room for the other dead skin that is pushed to the surface.
Epithelial tissue covers the surface of the human body and lines most internal cavities. Epithelial tissue is found in the body’s skin, lining of the stomach and intestines, the kidney, and glands, as well as other locations within the body (Amsel, 2012). The two types of epithelial tissue are (1) covering and lining epithelium and (2) glandular epithelium. The covering and lining epithelium are found lining the integumentary, digestive, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems as well as the ventral body cavity and the organs this cavity houses (Hoehn, et al., 2007, p. 118). The glandular epithelium is found within the glands of the entire human body. Not only are their two types of epithelial tissue found in the human body, there are also multiple classifications and various shapes. These classific...
The skin has 3 main function. It has to regulate body temperature, remove waste (perspiration), and protect. The skin is made up of 3 layers. The epidermis is the outer thinner layer of the skin that is made up of dead and living cells. The dermis is the thicker middle layer of the skin that contains blood vessels and nerves. Sweat glands are found in the dermis, they secrete perspiration through ducts to pores on the skin’s surface. To avoid problems like warts, boils, moles, acne, and sunburn you can wash your body daily, wear sunscreen that is 15 or higher, and check your body often...
The epidermis layer is about 0.2 mm thick, with different thicknesses each region. Thickest on the soles of the feet and thinnest in the area around the eyes. The epidermis is divided into 4 layers from the bottom are stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, and stratum corneum. For the hand palms and the foot soles, between stratum corneum and stratum granulosum also has a transparent layer called stratum lucidum.