Functions of the skin microbiota in health and disease. Layers of skin the skin is composed of three layers. These layers the epidermis and the dermis contain a variety of structures, including blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands. In direct contact with the outside environment, the skin helps to maintain four essential bodily functions. The skin, the human bodys largest organ, is home to a diverse and complex variety of innate and adaptive immune functions. Despite this potent immune system present at the cutaneous barrier, the skin encourages colonization by microorganisms. Key functions of the skin include protection, regulation of body temperature, and sensation how others respond to people who have skin conditions is an important consideration for nurses skin 1.
The skin has three basic levels the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. Identify the functions of various anatomical structures within the skin. Kolarsick, bs, maria ann kolarsick, msn, arnpc, and carolyn goodwin, aprnbc, fnp chapter 1 introduction the skin is the largest organ of the body, accounting for about 15% of the total adult body weight. It protects us from ultraviolet radiation, from variations in temperature, pathogens, and other toxins. They are functions except watertight barrier isnt really the best desciption.
There are two sections of the skin, the epidermis and the dermis, each of which aids in the functions in a different way. The skin, the largest organ in the human body, is anatomically quite complex and serves a diverse array of biologic functions in all species. The most obvious functions of the skin are to provide a protective physical barrier between the body and the environment, preventing the inward and outward passage of water and electrolytes, reducing penetration by destructive chemicals, arresting the penetration of micro. Its our first line of protection against the outside environment, it houses one of our five senses. The skin is part of an important organ system called the integumentary system. The skin has very important vital functions for keeping the physiological and biochemical conditions of the body in its optimum state. Learn functions of the skin with free interactive flashcards. Conclusion skin performs many beneficial functions but it does undergo changes and damage. Understanding the physiology and function of skin will give useful insights into a patients state of health. Understanding the structure and function of the skin. Brannon, md, is a family practice physician in mauldin, south carolina.
Skin receives a wideranging amount of stimuli from the environment and has appropriately responding capsulated or unencapsulated receptors that are distributed in various levels of its layers. This article will detail the functions of the skin, giving you a clear understanding of the vital role the skin plays in everyday life. This widening causes the skin to appear pink or dark red in color, giving the condition its name. It plays a vital role in homeostasis by maintaining a constant body temperature via the act of sweating or shivering and by making you aware of external stimuli through information. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Skin conditions are visible in this skin, beauty and imageconscious society, the way patients are accepted by other people is an important consideration for nurses.
The adjective cutaneous means of the skin from latin cutis, skin. March 30, 2020 the skin is the largest organ and covers the external surface of the human body. Each of these layers performs important roles in keeping our body healthy. The skin is one of the most important organs of a human. The skin is broken up into 3 different layers, the epidermis or top layer, dermis, and subcutaneous layer. The dermis hosts an extensive amount of vascularization to circulate blood and lymph. Integumentary structures and functions anatomy and. Introduction the skin is a complex organ system that has many important functions. The skin, like most organs, is vital to overall health and it carries out many functions that help us and protect our health. Skin acts as the first physical barrier to withstand any pressure.
Sweat from the sudoriferous glands is slightly hypertonic and can flush off most bacteria on the skin surface. The skin is a very impressive organ that has many vital functions. The skin protects us from microbes and the elements, helps regulate body temperature, and permits the. The skin is made up of two mutually dependent layers that are distinguished based on their structure and location. The skin is continuous, with the mucous membranes lining the bodys surface kanitakis, 2002. The skin is multipurpose, meaning it has a lot of functions. For a better list of functions skin performs the following functions. The structure and function of skin, third edition is devoted to all matters pertaining to the structure and function of the skin. Structure and function of skin, hair and nails sciencedirect. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. In direct contact with the outside environment, the skin helps to maintain four.
The five functions of the skin are protection, regulation of heat, secretion, excretion and absorption, according to skin genetix. Port wine stains are a type of birthmark caused by the widening of capillaries located in your skin. Facial skin has common functions, to protect and serve. Skin performs many beneficial functions but it does undergo changes and damage. It is also the largest organ of the human body, providing around 10% of the body mass of. This article gives an overview of the structure and functions of the skin.
Langerhans cells in the skin are part of the adaptive immune system. Casey gallagher, md, is boardcertified in dermatology and works as a practicing dermatologist and clinical professor. Choose from 500 different sets of functions of the skin flashcards on quizlet. Prevents loss of essential body fluids, and penetration of toxic substances. It performs many vital functions, including protection against external physical. In humans, it is the bodys largest organ, covering a total area of about 20 square feet.
Basic histological structure and functions of facial skin. Functions of the skin rooks textbook of dermatology. The dermis is the middle layer of the skin, and the subcutis is the innermost layer of the skin. It protects our internal organs from the environment using a multilayered system of cushioning, a cellular barrier, and protective oils.
The skin performs six primary functions which include, protection. Typical coursework questions ask for 5 functions of the skin, 3 functions of the skin, and similar. It is the outer layer of a persons body and performs a lot of very important functions for the body. The integumentary system consists of the skin, hair, nails, the subcutaneous tissue below the skin, and assorted glands. Pdf structure and function of skin, hair and nails. Structure and function explained medical news today. Skin is the layer of usually soft, flexible outer tissue covering the body of a vertebrate animal, with three main functions. It is a complex epithelial and mesenchymal tissue comprising a multilayered stratified epidermis, adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sweat glands and sebaceous glands, a dermis containing collagen and elastic fibres, and underlying subcutaneous fat. The primary function of the skin is to act as a barrier. These processes include barrier and immunologic functions, melanin production, vitamin d synthesis, sensation, temperature regulation, protection from trauma and aesthetics. Structure of the skin the skin holds the contents of the body together. The integumentary system consists of the skin, hair, nails, and exocrine glands. The integumentary system is formed by the skin and. Outline a systematic approach to skin history and physical exam in patients.
As the first line of defense against the external environment, the epidermis is continuously replenishing and shedding tens of thousands of dead cells every minute to protect the body from. Ageing and illness take their toll, while wounds, burns and skin diseases, including cancer, can damage this organ. The following material is presented in an easytoread point format, which, though brief in content, is suf. Temporary storage of fat, glucose, water and salts 6. It contains thousands of tiny pores and hair follicles. Part 2 will provide an overview of the accessory structures of the skin and their functions. Structure and function of the skin wound care education. The first layer of the skin is the one in charge of protecting the rest of layers from water and is also the one that determines the color of our skin. It also helps to regulate body temperature, produces a vitamin d precursor, protects us from damage by ultraviolet light, and detects information. The skin and its functions besides providing a layer of protection from pathogens, physical abrasions, and radiation from the sun, the skin serves many functions.
The skin is the site of many complex and dynamic processes as demonstrated in figure 11 and table 11. Drawing upon the accumulated data derived from embryology, histology, anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology, this book presents an overview of skin, with emphasis on human skin. Sebum or oil from the sebaceous glands is slightly acidic, retarding bacterial colonization on the skin surface. Functions of the integumentary system protection against injury and infection regulates body temperature sensory perception regulates water loss chemical synthesis protection covers and protects the. Structure and functions of the skin clinical dermatology. Skin is the soft outer tissue which covers vertebrates.
1503 1498 446 15 1291 494 1267 180 603 242 1221 652 309 364 25 1404 1158 889 1308 693 627 1095 629 68 437 320 471 193 34 317 101 544 71 1297 308 844 210 1222 1374 1135 740 486 1035 210 674 1363