The Structure Of Epidermis And Dermis

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In this discussion post, I'll discuss how the structure of the epidermis and dermis contribute to their functions. I'll also describe all the structures of each and describe how each structure contributes to the function of their respective tissue layer.

The epidermis and dermis are tissue layers that make up the skin (integument) covering the body. The layers (strata) of the epidermis range from four to five, depending on where they are on the body; and are classified into two types of skin: thin skin and thick skin. Most of the body is covered in thin skin, which has four layers. Areas of the body that are heavily exposed to stress and pressure (palm of hand and sole of feet) are covered in five layered thick skin. Thin skin has the following …show more content…

It is made mostly of connective tissue (areolar and dense irregular). Connective tissue provides support to the epidermis because it consists of numerous collagen and elastin fibers. The dermis serves as a first line of protection so that pathogens (bacteria and/or microbes) that have made it through the epidermis cannot move any farther. The dermis produces a gel-like substance within the areolar connective tissue that slows down the movement of microbes. The dermis also supplies blood and nutrients to the epidermis (via blood vessels) and supports sensory reception (nerve fibers). Accessory structures found in the dermis include a portion of the hair follicle, secretory glands (sebaceous and sweat glands), touch receptors (nerve fibers) and blood vessels. There dermis has two layers: the papillary layer and reticular layer. The papillary layer is the outer top portion of the dermis that is below (deep to) the epidermis. It has a sub layer called dermal papillae. Dermal papillae has ridge-like projections that interlock with ridges in the lower portion of the epidermis (epidermal ridges). These ridge-like projections have sensory receptors and capillaries. The sensory receptors are called tactile corpuscles that detect light, delicate touch and capillaries supply blood and nutrients to the epidermis above. The reticular layer is the deeper portion of the dermis and consists mostly of dense irregular connective tissue (ground substance and randomly arranged collagen fibers). The lamellated corpusle is a large, leaflet like sensory receptor located in the reticular layer. This receptor detects pressure, rough touch and

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