Skin Lecture Objectives Skin is composed of:

• Describe the functions of skin. • Epidermis: a surface of keratinized

• Describe the structure, location and stratified squamous epithelium
function of the cell types found in • Dermis: connective tissue
epidermis: keratinocytes, melanocytes, • Skin appendages: Merocrine (eccrine)
Langerhans cells, and Merkel cells. sweat glands, apocrine sweat glands,
• Describe the five layers of the epidermis. sebaceous glands, hair follicles, nails.
• Describe the structure and contents of the
papillary dermis, reticular dermis, and
hypodermis.
• Describe the structure and function of
sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands,
and apocrine sweat glands.

Skin Lecture Outline

• Introduction
• Epidermis
• Dermis

Introduction
Functions of Skin
• Serves as a barrier protecting against
physical and chemical injury and infection.
• Prevents water entry and loss.
• Helps regulate body temperature.
• Receptor organ for sensory stimuli.
• Involved in synthesis of vitamin D3 from
precursors in skin.
• Excretion of substances produced by
glands.

Embryologic Origins of Skin

• Epidermis (the surface layer of skin) arises
from ectoderm.
• Dermis (the connective tissue component
of skin) arises from somites of the paraxial
mesoderm.
Subcutaneous tissue Single layerof cellsm location of mitosis)
• Also called hypodermis
• NOT considered part of the skin!
• Consists of loose connective tissue and
adipose tissue
• Function: loosely binds the skin to
underlying structures

• Epidermis
• Layers of the epidermis
• Cells of the epidermis

Layers of the epidermis

The Five Layers of Epidermis
• Corneum
• Lucidum Stratum Spinosum
• Granulosum • Between stratum granulosum and basale.
• Spinosum • Spot desmosomes connect cells.
• Basale • Cells shrink during processing but remain
attached at desmosomes, and look
“spiny” or prickly.
• Areas of skin subject to more mechanical
pressure have more spot desmosomes.

(Note: Thickest portion

Contains living keratinocytes
Contains desmosomes
Contains langerhan cells
Mitosis can occur to some extent
Langerhan cells- which is the dendritic cell of the
epidermis (allow communication between our
nervous system)
Stratum Basale (Basalis) Desmosome – cell adhesion junctions which
• Bottom layer; just above basal lamina. attach cells together via intermediate filament
• Cuboidal to columnar keratinocytes one (allows strecth and flexibility)
layer thick.
• Cells attached to each other by spot
desmosomes and to basal lamina by
hemidesmosomes.
• Mitoses renew epidermis every 15-30
days.
• Contains melanocytes and Merkel cells.

(Note: Produce keratinocyte stem cells – produce

keratinocyte
Contains merkle cells – light tpuch receptos which
are synapsing with our nuerons which sends
messages to our brain (fingertips)
Contains melanocyte – cells that produce melanin
 Stratum Lucidum
• Under stratum corneum.
• Keratinocytes have lost nuclei and
organelles and appear as homogeneous,
translucent cells.
• Cells contain keratin.
• Present only in very thick skin.

(Note: Contains dead keratinocytes

Only present in areas with thick skin such as
palm, soles of the feet)

Stratum Granulosum Stratum Corneum

• Just above stratum spinosum. • Most superficial layer.
• Cells contain two types of granules. • Consists of flat, dead cells – basically
• Keratohyaline granules: large, basophilic; keratin scales - that are continuously
bind cytokeratin molecules together to shed.
make keratin. • Keratin is composed of cytokeratin
• Lamellar granules: small; contain lipid that filaments (long intertwined protein
is released into intercellular spaces (acts chains) and keratohyalin (a substance that
as a cement to prevent penetration of helps hold cytokeratin filaments
water and other materials). together).

(Note: First place where we are going to see living (Note: Keratinocytes = Consist of keratin and
keratinocytes melatinocytes
Keartinocyte : ccell containing melanin and Corneocyte = contains dead keratinocyte
keratin) Essentially the layer of the dead skin
Protects us from infection, water loss and
physical harm)
 • Merkel cells are involved in tactile
sensation.

Thick vs. Thin Skin

Refers to thickness of epidermis and keratin layer
Thick skin is present on palms and soles
• Epidermis has five cell layers +
thick keratin layer.
• Hair follicles and sebaceous glands
are NOT present.
Thin skin is found everywhere else.
• Epidermis has no stratum lucidum,
and the stratum granulosum and
corneum are much thinner.
• May contain hair follicles and
sebaceous glands.

Cells of the epidermis

Four Types of Cells in Epidermis
• Keratinocytes are stratified squamous
epithelial cells. Most common cell in
epidermis. Function is to produce
intermediate filaments called
cytokeratins. Amount of cytokeratins
increases as the cells move upward.
• Melanocytes produce melanin.
• Langerhans cells process antigen.
Langerhans Cells and Merkel Cells
Langerhans cells
• A type of macrophage.
• Arise in bone marrow, migrate to stratum
spinosum.
• Eat stuff (like bugs), present antigen to T
cells.
Merkel cells
• Present in stratum basale.
• Function as touch receptors.

• Dermis
Specialized receptors and structures
• Basic structure
Meissner’s and Pacinian Corpuscles
• Specialized receptors and
Meissner’s corpuscle
structures
• Sensitive to light touch
• Consists of an unmyelinated axon
Basic structure
meandering back and forth
between flattened Schwann cells.
Pacinian corpuscle
• Sensitive to vibration and pressure.
• Consists of unmyelinated nerve
terminal surrounded by layers of
fibroblasts.

The Pilosebaceous Apparatus

• Hairs: hair follicle and shaft
• Sebaceous glands and ducts: empty into
hair follicle
• Arrector pili muscles: cause erection of
hair shaft
• Hairs and sebaceous glands derive from
ectoderm

Skin glands
• Three types: sebaceous glands, eccrine
(merocrine) sweat glands, and apocrine
sweat glands.
• Arise from ectoderm.
• Secretory portion of glands resides in the
dermis.
• Three different types of secretion:
holocrine, merocrine, and apocrine.
Sebaceous glands
• Present everywhere except palms and
soles.
• Secretory portion: peripheral, flattened
undifferentiated cells. Central cells are
large with foamy cytoplasm containing
lipids.
• Cells burst, releasing sebum (holocrine
secretion).
• Duct empties into hair follicle.
• Become functional at puberty.

Eccrine (Merocrine) Sweat Glands

• Secretory portion has three cell types:
• Clear cells (contain glycogen,
produce a watery substance)
• Darker cells (produce a
proteinaceous substance)
• Myoepithelial cells (surround
gland)
• Duct is lined by simple cuboidal
epithelium and opens onto skin surface.
Apocrine Sweat Glands
• Located only in axilla, areola of breast,
and anal canal.
• Have larger ducts and secretory units than
eccrine sweat glands.
• Ducts open into hair follicles.
• Apocrine secretion is viscous and contains
proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.