SKIN (largest, heaviest organ in the body

16% of total body weight) know the morphological and functional characteristics of cells in the epidermis

know the functions of the dermis be able to describe structures found in the skin, such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and sensory receptors

know the functions of skin and how the different cell types and structures in skin help to perform these functions

Section through human thigh

Epidermis (epithelial cells) Dermis (connective tissue)

SKIN

Hypodermis (mainly adipose tissue)

Overview of thick skin

(hairless, e.g. palm of hand or sole of foot) - Low power

E P I D E R M I S

Dermis is thrown up into ridges or papillae (arrow 1) that interdigitate with evaginations of epidermis (arrow 2).

DERMIS

Thin skin

Thick skin

Basal layer
Source of all keratinocytes in skin

keratinocytes

Basal cells rest on a basement membrane At the epidermis-dermis junction

Also make connections with cells in the layer above

Stem cells for keratinocytes in skin

Stem Cells (self-renewing) Transit Amplifying Cells

Capable of limited self-renewal (3-6 divisions)

Differentiation

Human epidermis renewed every 15-30 days

Stratum spinosum
provides resistance to abrasion

keratin filaments desmosome connecting two cells

Cytoplasm filled with bundles of keratin filaments Note intercellular bridges (desmosomes), which resemble spines on the cell surface.

Stratum granulosum
provides barrier to penetration by foreign materials and water loss

Flattened cells containing:

basophilic keratohyalin granules

Membrane-coated lamellar granules

contain lipids that are discharged into the intercellular spaces and deposited as sheets - function as sealant

SG

Cells of stratum granulosum are filled with numerous keratohyalin granules.

SS

Cells of upper part of stratum spinosum.

Stratum corneum
Cornified or horny layer - protection against abrasion

Dead cells - no organelles

Continually sloughed off

Squame about to flake off surface

Keratinized squames

S. granulosum S. spinosum

basal layer

Basal cell passing into S. spinosum

Basal cell dividing

Melanocytes
migrate into epidermis from neural crest during embryogenesis

Produce pigment in the skin

S. corneum S. granulosum

S. spinosum

Stratum basale

melanocyte Melanocytes use tyrosinase to covert L-DOPA to melanin

Inability to produce melanin causes albinism

Melanocyte
Synthesizes and injects melanin granules into keratinocytes

Melanin protects keratinocyte DNA

Granules accumulate in supranuclear region

UV irradiation (Sun-tanning): darkening of pre-existing melanin

and release into keratinocytes acceleration in rate of melanin synthesis in melanocytes

The dermis supports the epidermis and contributes to its appearance

Dermal papillae

the blood supply is found only in the dermis

Cells in dermis contribute to host defense

Elastic fibers in thin skin

Wrinkles are caused by damage to fibers in ECM (skin becomes less flexible, more fragile)

loss of elastic fibers extensive cross-linking of collagen fibers collagen synthesis decreases

Hair follicle sweat gland Sebaceous gland

Hair follicle

Hair follicle
Hair grows by proliferation of cells in the matrix.

matrix dermal papilla

Sweat glands
Found everywhere, especially on thick skin

Secretory portion in the dermis - fluid passes through duct and empties onto surface of skin

Secrete watery, salty fluid in response to heat. Cells in the duct absorb sodium

Sweat glands
(stimulated by sympathetic nervous system)

sweat pore

cross section through coiled sweat gland

Sebaceous glands are specializations that arise out of the hair follicle (connected to the lumen of the hair follicle)

Sebum is secreted into the hair follicle and released onto the surface of the skin - acts as waterproofing and moisturising agent for hair and skin Sebaceous glands begin to function at puberty under hormonal control Acne: chronic inflammation of obstructed sebaceous gland

For sensing touch and light pressure abundant in hairless skin

For sensing deep pressure found deep in dermis

For sensing warmth, cold, pain extend into lower layers of epidermis; abundant in hair follicles

Transduction of sensory information

Arrows point to Meissners corpuscles (in the dermal papillae), which are sensory organs for detecting light touch.

Functions of skin: barrier to abrasion and physical injury prevents excessive water loss and gain barrier to microorganisms protection from ultraviolet radiation provides means of regulating body temperature transduces sensory information