Skin Anatomy

Functioning as the largest organ in the body, your skin's anatomy is more complex than you might realize.

Although the skin appears to be just one layer, it is actually composed of two different layers which have different functions. The epidermis is the outer layer of skin and below that lies the dermis. There are also several other components to skin such as the pigmentation, DNA enzymes, hair, blood vessels and nerves.

Skin varies from animal to animal. Some animals, such as fish and reptiles, have scales on their skin to help protect them. Some skin has an abundance of hair (fur) which is used for warmth or camouflage. Birds have feathers covering their skin which are used for flight, warmth and camouflage. In humans, skin varies greatly in color. This is because the amount of pigmentation varies in different populations. Skin pigmentation is called melanin. Not only does it provide color to human skin, but it also helps to protect the human body from the sun. The melanin in the skin helps to absorb UV rays which the skin is exposed to simply by being outside. In addition, the enzymes in the skin can help repair the damage caused by the sun.

The skin has several important jobs. First, it provides covering for all of our internal organs and muscles. It provides an attractive covering for our bodies. The skin protects us from the outside world. The skin can also help indicate if we are sick or even our emotional state. If we are overheated or have some kind of illness, the appearance of our skin can be an important indicator of this. Our skin can also indicate if we are scared, cold, or embarrassed. The skin also helps control the temperature of our blood and our whole body temperature. It also works to control evaporation of the fluid in our bodies. It also has a role in the release of waste products from the body through sweat. The skin can absorb oxygen and other nutrients from the environment, as well as from artificial sources such as topical medicine or a motion sickness patch. The skin also has sensitive nerve endings which provide us with our sense of touch.

The skin also is quite remarkable in its ability to sustain itself. Dead skin cells are routinely shed off and new cells made. The skin works hard to protect and heal itself. If the skin is injured, scar tissue will often form to protect and seal the wound. Although most people do not consider the skin to be an organ, it is truly one of most remarkable parts of the human body.

John Grimes is with AllTerrainco.com - makers of natural sanitizer products for skin care.