Skin Structure and Functions

Structure of the Skin

• The skin is composed of three main layers:
  1. Epidermis: outermost layer, responsible for protecting the body from external factors
  2. Dermis: middle layer, contains blood vessels, nerve endings, and hair follicles
  3. Hypodermis: innermost layer, attaches the skin to underlying bones and muscles

Functions of the Skin

• Protection: shields the body from external factors such as temperature, moisture, and UV radiation
• Regulation: helps regulate body temperature, maintain fluid balance, and aid in the production of vitamin D
• Sensation: contains nerve endings that allow for the sensation of touch, pressure, and pain
• Excretion: helps remove waste products through sweat

Skin Types

• Normal skin: balanced skin with a smooth texture and a moderate level of moisture
• Dry skin: characterized by a lack of moisture, often leading to itchiness and irritation
• Oily skin: characterized by an overproduction of sebum, often leading to acne and greasiness
• Combination skin: a mix of dry and oily skin, with oily areas typically on the forehead, nose, and chin
• Sensitive skin: easily irritated by products or environmental factors

Skin Conditions

• Acne: a condition characterized by blackheads, whiteheads, and inflamed pimples
• Eczema: a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by dry, itchy, and scaly skin
• Psoriasis: a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by thick, scaly, and red patches on the skin
• Skin cancer: a range of cancers that affect the skin, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma

Test your knowledge of the skin's layers, functions, types, and common conditions. Learn about the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, and how they work together to protect the body. Identify the characteristics of normal, dry, oily, combination, and sensitive skin.