Layers of Epidermis:
Two types:
Deepest layer
Consists of single row of keratinocytes-continually renewing cell population (stem cells-youngest
keratinocytes)
Very mitotic for ongoing production of keratinocytes->keratin production
Each time of basal cell divides, one daughter cell is pushed into the cell layer just above to begin
its specialization into mature keratinocyte. The other daughter cell remains in basal layer to
continue process of producing new keratinocytes
Some tactile (Merkels cells) are seen
Outermost layer
20-30 cells thick, that accounts for of the epidermal thickness
Filled with dead keratin fibers surrounded only by plasma membrane, which protects the skin
from abrasion
Glycolipid between the cells is the real waterproofing of this layer
For this reason stratum corneum provides a durable overcoat for the body, protecting deeper
cells from hostile external environment (air) and from water loss, and rendering the body
relatively insensitive to biological, chemical, and physical assaults.
Ongoing shedding of these cells, which will be replaced by ongoing mitosis in stratum basale
Dermis:
5. Friction ridge patterns are genetically determined and unique to each of us.
Sweat pores open along their crests, and our fingertips leave identifying films of
sweat called fingertips on almost anything we touch.
Reticular layer:
Deeper layer, accounts for 80% of the thickness of dermis
Coarse, irregularly arranged, dense fibrous CT
Cutaneous plexus: network of blood vessels that nourishes this layer lies between this
layer and the hypodermis.
Extracellular matrix contains adipose cells here and there, and thick bundles of
interlacing collage fibers
Hypodermis:
Sensory Receptors:
Encapsulated
Meissners Corpuscles:
o In dermal papillae of hairless skin, nipples, eyelids
o Increased numbers in palms of hands, soles of feet, and lip margins
o Light touch and slow vibration
Ruffini Corpuscles (end organs of Ruffini)
o Deep in the dermis and slightly into hypodermis
o Mechanoreceptors, deep pressure (continuous) and stretch (joint capsule)
Pacinian Corpuscles
o Large lamellated corpuscles (3mm long)
o Subcutaneous tissue, sex organs, pancreas, and other viscera
o Mechanoreceptors, deep pressure (only initially), and vibration
Skin Color
Melanin:
Carotene:
Hemoglobin
Albinism (albino):
Skin derivatives: nails, sweat glands, sebaceous (oil) glands, and hair follicles and hair
Hair has minor protective value against trauma & heat loss, and filters sunlight
A key step in the beginning to form any of skins derivatives is formation of an epithelial bud.
(stimulated by reduction of cell adhesion factor called cadherin)
Flexible strands produced by hair follicles and consist of dead keratinized cells
Contains two structures:
Shaft: the portion in which keratinization is complete
Root: where keratinization is still going
Shaft has 3 parts:
Medulla:
Central core
middle, consists of large cells and air spaces
Only part of the hair that contains soft keratin , is absent in fine hairs
Cortex:
A bulky layer surrounding the medulla
Consists of several layers of flattened cells
Cuticle:
Formed from a single layer of cells that overlap one another from below like
shingles on a roof
This arrangement helps keep neighboring hairs apart so that the hair does not
mat
Most heavily keratinized part of the hair
Provides strength and helps keep the inner layers tightly compacted
Because it is subjected to the most abrasion, it tends to wear away at the tip of
the hair shaft
Hair pigment:
Made by melanocytes at the base of the hair follicle and transferred to the cortical
cells
Different melanocyte colors: yellow, brown, black) combine to produce hair color from
blond to black
Gray or white hair is a result from decreased melanin production or air bubbles in hair
shaft
Structures of Hair Follicles
Basic features:
Fold down from the epidermal surface into the dermis and hypodermis
Has hair bulb which is located below the skin surface about 4mm below
Sensory nerve endings called Hair follicle receptor/root hair plexus, wraps around each hair
bulb
Hair papilla protrudes into the hair bulb. Contains a knot of capillaries that supplies nutrients
to hair
Wall:
Hair follicle is composed of an outer CT root sheath, derived from the dermis
a thickened basement membrane called glassy membrane
and an inner epithelial root sheath, derived from invagination of the epidermis
Arrector pili
Bundle of smooth muscle associated with each hair follicle
Causes skin surface to produce goose bumps in response to cold external temperature
or fear
Important way for other animals to retain heat and protect themselves
Alopecia areata:
Inherited condition
Autoimmune disease that attacks the hair follicles
Mild case: oval bald spots are seen
Severe case: complete loss of scalp and body hair
Nails:
1.
Distributed over the entire skin surface except the nipples and parts of the external genitalia
Up to 3 million per person
Mostly for thermoregulation
Two Types: Eccrine and apocrine
Eccrine glands (merocrine sweat glands)
Far more numerous and abundant on palms, soles of feet and forehead
Each is a simple, coiled, tubular gland in dermis
secretion: pH 4-6, sweat 99% water, vitamin C, antibodies, salts & urea (true sweat),
heredity and diet determine the exact components of sweat
maintains body temperature (sweat is regulated by sympathetic nervous system)
2. Apocrine sweat glands:
Approximately 2000 of them
Largely confined to axillary and anogenital areas
Also merocrine glands which secrete their product by exocytosis like eccrine glands
Larger than eccrine glands
tend to lie deeper in the dermis or even hypodermis
their ducts empty into hair follicles
Same secretion as true sweat plus fatty substances and proteins
Quite viscous and sometimes has a milky yellowish color
Secretion is odorless, but when metabolized by skin bacteria it decomposes and smells
bad leading to body odor
Activated by sympathetic nerve fibers during pain and stress, sexual arousal
Ceruminous glands:
Mammary Glands:
Secrete milk
Specialized sweat glands