Some curiosities about the skin

The skin is the largest organ of all vertebrates.

Its main functions are:

  • Protective (in terrestrial vertebrates it protects from drying out as well).

  • Sensitive or sensory:  perception of pressure, temperature, vibration…

  • Excretory: elimination of waste substances.

  • In some vertebrates it also participates in thermoregulation and water balance through sweating and vasodilatation-vasoconstriction. For example, when it is hot, the vessels dilate so that heat is lost through the blood and vice versa.

capas-piel-skin-layers-dermis-epidermis
Miscroscopic view of the dermis and epidermis. Indiana.edu

In all of vertebrates the skin always consists of 2 tunics:

  • Epidermis: this is the outermost layer, formed by a lining  epithelium (layer of cells), which it is different according to the group of vertebrates.

  • Dermis: always formed by connective tissue (set of  filling, supporting and connecting tissues).

In some body regions of mammals another deeper tunic may also appear > the hypodermis, formed by lax connective tissue (which also provides flexibility) and adipose tissue (fat).

skin-structure-components
Diagram of the different structures located in the skin. Skincare

THE FACT

The skin of an adult human measures about 1.5-2m² and weighs about 4 kg.

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