Human skin is our soft outer covering for our bodies. In humans, our skin is the largest ORGAN of the integumentary system. Our skin is made up of multiple layers ectodermal tissue, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs in humans(1). Our skin is our protection from the environment and reacts to our environment. Our skin is the first line of defense from external environmental factors. One of the most important roles the skin plays for us is the role in protecting the body against pathogens(2) and excessive water loss(3). Some other functions of the skin are:
- Insulation
- Temperature Regulation
- Sensation
- The production of Vitamin D folates.
If a person’s skin becomes heavily damaged, the skin may become scars and discolored and/or depigmented.
The main components of skin are:
- Epidermis
- Basement Membrane
- Dermis
- Hypodermis
References:
(1)”Skin care” (analysis), Health-Cares.net, 2007 Proksch E, Brandner JM, Jensen JM. (2008).
(2) The skin: an indispensable barrier. Exp Dermatol. 17(12):1063–72.
(3) Madison KC. (2003). Barrier function of the skin: “la raison d’etre” of the epidermis. J Invest Dermatol. 121(2):231-41. doi:10.1046/j.1523- 1747.2003.12359.x PMID 12880413