Structure and Function of the Structure and Function of the SkinSkin

Dr Robert PaverDr Robert PaverDermatologistDermatologistMedical DirectorMedical Director

Skin and Cancer Foundation WestmeadSkin and Cancer Foundation Westmead

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Stratum Corneum –Stratum Corneum –

Keratin is produced by Keratin is produced by the epidermal cells as the epidermal cells as they move upwards they move upwards from the basal layerfrom the basal layer

Protection, fluid Protection, fluid conservation, UVconservation, UV

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Epidermis – Epidermis – keratinocytes produce keratinocytes produce the keratin which the keratin which forms the stratum forms the stratum corneumcorneum

protection, replicationprotection, replication

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Dermis- papillary Dermis- papillary dermis is a thin layer of dermis is a thin layer of loose collagen beneath loose collagen beneath the epidermal basal the epidermal basal layer.layer.

Reticular dermis is thick Reticular dermis is thick strong collagenstrong collagen

strength and support strength and support structurestructure

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Subcutaneous fat – cushioning and Subcutaneous fat – cushioning and thermoregulationthermoregulation

Appendages:Appendages:

Hair- touch, protection, Hair- touch, protection, cosmetic, cosmetic, thermoregulationthermoregulation

Sebaceous glands- moisturizing Sebaceous glands- moisturizing greasegrease

Eccrine glands- Sweat produced Eccrine glands- Sweat produced for thermoregulationfor thermoregulation

Apocrine glands- uncertain ? Apocrine glands- uncertain ? vestigial sexualvestigial sexual

Structure and Function of the SkinStructure and Function of the Skin

Specialized cells: Specialized cells:

melanocytes - UV protectionmelanocytes - UV protection

langerhans cells –immune surveillancelangerhans cells –immune surveillance

merkel cells, meiseners corpuscles, merkel cells, meiseners corpuscles, pacinian pacinian corpuscles, nerve endings – corpuscles, nerve endings – sensory inputsensory input

Blood vessels –nourishmentBlood vessels –nourishment

Lymphatics- fluid drainage Lymphatics- fluid drainage

ReferencesReferencesAustralasian College of Dermatologists Australasian College of Dermatologists Online Student Teaching ModulesOnline Student Teaching Modules

Images and Explanations of all skin diseasesImages and Explanations of all skin diseases

www.dermnetnz.orgwww.dermnetnz.org

Lecture Notes on Dermatology (Brown and Lecture Notes on Dermatology (Brown and Burns) Blackwell Publishing Burns) Blackwell Publishing

Skin Disease Diagnosis and TreatmentSkin Disease Diagnosis and Treatment

(Habif) Elsevier Mosby Publishing(Habif) Elsevier Mosby Publishing

The EndThe End