Skin overview: function and structure

Question 1

what are the 5 functions of the skin

Answer 1

1. protects from external damage (non-pathogenic)
2. acts as a waterproof barrier and a barrier against bacteria
3. sensation function
4. metabolic function
5. Thermoregulation

Question 2

2. What are 5 things the skin protects us from in terms of external damage

Answer 2

1. UV light
2. chemical injury
3. thermal injury
4. mechanical injury
5. sheer stress

Question 3

3. Outline 4 things the skin gives us the function of sensation to

Answer 3

• touch
• pressure
• pain
• temperature

Question 4

4. What are 2 ways the skin has metabolic functions

Answer 4

• synthesises vitamin D
• subcutaneous fat is a major energy store

Question 5

5. Outline 3 ways skin has the function of thermoregulation

Answer 5

• Insulation
• Heat loss by sweat evaporation
• vasodilation

Question 6

1. Outline the 3 layers of the skin in order

Answer 6

1. Epidermis
2. Dermis
3. Hypodermis/subcutis

Question 7

2. What type of epithelium makes up the epidermis

Answer 7

Stratified squamous epithelium

Question 8

3. What is the main cell type on the epidermis

Answer 8

Keratinocytes

Question 9

what type of tissue makes up the dermis

Answer 9

Dense irregular connective tissue

Question 10

5. What 2 layers is the dermis divided into

Answer 10

1. Papillary dermis
2. reticular dermis

Question 11

name 6 things in the dermis of a cell

Answer 11

• fibroblasts
• collagen I
• elastin
• blood
• nerves
• receptors

Question 12

7. What type of tissue makes up the hypodermis/subcutis?

Answer 12

adipose tissue

Question 13

8. What layer does the skin have the most blood vessels and therefore gets its main blood supply from

Answer 13

hypodermis/subcutis