Week 7 – Discussion Board 1

[Art Liebl]

In at least 250 words talk about the  layers of skin and function of each one initial post due by Thursday Respond to two fellow students by Monday.

[Cristina Restrepo]

The skin is the body’s largest organ, made of water, protein, fats and minerals. The skin protects your body from germs and regulates body temperature. Nerves in the skin help you feel sensations like hot and cold. The skin, along with hair, nails, oil glands and sweat glands, is part of the integumentary system, which means outer covering.

The skin is composed of three layers: the epidermis which is the outer layer, the dermis which is the middle layer and the hypodermis which is the bottom or fatty layer. The epidermis, as said before, is the top layer of the skin; the one you can see and touch. It is mostly made up of Keratin, a protein inside skin cells, along with other proteins that come together to form this layer. The epidermis acts as a protective barrier keeping bacteria and other microorganisms from entering the bloodstream and causing infections. This is done by the presence of Langerhan cells which are part of the immune system and help fight off pathogenic microorganisms. It also protects against other elements such as the rain and the sun. Other functions of the epidermis are to make new skin cells and to give skin its color with the presence of the pigment melanin.

The dermis, which is the middle layer, makes up to 90% of skin’s thickness. The dermis contains collagen which is a protein that makes skin cells strong and resilient. It also contains elastin which keeps skin flexible and helps stretched skin regain its shape. It is also in charged of growing hair as the roots of hair follicles attach to the dermis. Another function of the dermis is to produce oils that help the skin feel smooth and soft as well as producing sweat to regulate body temperature. Nerve receptors in the dermis help you feel pain, and determine if something is soft, itchy, hot or cold. It also supplies blood to the epidermis keeping the skin layers healthy.

Now the hypodermis, which is the bottom of fatty layer of the skin, functions to cushion muscles and bones when you fall or are in an accident. It also has connective tissue that connects layers of skin to muscles and bones. Nerves and blood vessels in the hypodermis extend to connect the hypodermis to the rest of the body. Lastly, it regulates body temperature as fat in the hypodermis acts as an insulator to prevent the body from becoming too cold or hot.

[Leonisa Avelino]

The skin is the largest organ of the human body and consists of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (also known as the subcutaneous Tissue ). Each layer plays an essential role in protecting the body and maintaining overall health.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It acts as a protective barrier against environmental hazards like bacteria, UV rays, and harmful chemicals. This layer is made up mostly of keratinocytes, which produce keratin, a protein that strengthens the skin. The outermost part of the epidermis, called the stratum corneum, is made of dead skin cells that continuously shed and renew. Melanocytes, also found in the epidermis, produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and UV protection.

Beneath the epidermis is the dermis, a thicker layer that provides structural support and elasticity. It contains collagen and elastin fibers, sweat glands, sebaceous (oil) glands, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerve endings. The dermis is responsible for sensations like touch, pain, and temperature. It also helps regulate body temperature through sweat and blood flow. Hair follicles originate in the dermis as well.

The deepest layer is the hypodermis, or subcutaneous tissue. This layer is made up of fat and connective tissue that cushions the body, insulates it from cold, and serves as an energy reserve. It also anchors the skin to the muscles and bones beneath.

Together, these three layers work as a protective shield, help regulate temperature, enable sensation, and contribute to immune defense and overall skin health.

[Lesly Betancur]

Covering the entire human body, the skin is our largest and most visible organ that plays a vital role in protection, sensation, temperature regulation, and more. It is composed of three main layers: the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis (also known as the subcutaneous layer). Each layer has specific functions that are crucial to overall health.

The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin. It is made primarily of keratinocytes, which produce keratin, a protein that provides strength and waterproofing. The epidermis serves as the body’s first line of defense against environmental threats such as bacteria, viruses, and harmful UV rays. It also helps prevent water loss from the body. This layer contains melanocytes, which produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color and protection from UV radiation. The epidermis does not have blood vessels, instead it receives nutrients from the layers below.

Directly under the epidermis is the dermis, a thicker layer that gives the skin its strength and flexibility. It is composed of connective tissue, blood vessels, nerve endings, hair follicles, and sweat and sebaceous (oil) glands. The dermis is responsible for the skin’s sensation, such as touch, pain, and temperature, thanks to its rich supply of nerve endings. It also plays a role in thermoregulation through sweat glands and blood flow control.

The deepest layer is the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer. This layer consists mostly of fat and connective tissue, which cushion internal organs, insulate the body, and provide an energy reserve. The hypodermis also helps anchor the skin to the muscles and bones underneath.

Understanding these layers and their functions is essential in healthcare settings, especially for medical interpreters, as it helps explain skin-related conditions and treatments accurately to patients.

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