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The skin tightly wraps you, protects you against the influence of the environment, cold, sun rays, pathogenic microorganisms. The skin is a complex system that transmits information from the outside world to the body. For the sake of our he alth and well-being, it is important to keep the skin in the best condition, because its appearance proves us. Find out what the structure of the skin looks like and learn about its functions.

Contents:

  1. Skin structure
  2. Skin functions
  3. Skin properties
    • The ability to regenerate quickly
    • The skin as a sensory organ

Leatherof modern man endures many inconveniences every day. Stress, improper diet, contact with plastics and chemicals - if we do not properly care for the skin, it will not overcome all adversities. Its natural protective layer, the so-called water-lipid coat. And when it gets thinner, the skin becomes more sensitive, prone to infections, ages faster and finally becomes seriously ill.

The skin, with its surface area of ​​about 2 m2 and 1-4 mm thick, is one of our largest organs. Resistant to heat and frost. It is not afraid of water, as well as acids and bases, as long as they do not have too high concentrations. It remains soft, flexible and resistant to stretching even when it is exposed to unfavorable weather conditions for many years or dried in air-conditioned interiors.

Its durability makes it perfectly protects internal tissues and organs. Using a complex system of sensors, it provides the brain with detailed information about its surroundings and ensures that the body adjusts to the conditions outside.

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Skin structure

The overall surface area of ​​an adult's skin depends on its build and height. On average, however, it is assumed to be 1.5 to 2 m2 . The thickness of the skin varies from 0.5 to 4 mm, although people working in difficult conditions may have skin on their handsmuch thicker, even up to 10 mm. The skin is made of the epidermis and the dermis, which is connected with the deeper tissues by means of the subcutaneous tissue.

The epidermis is made of a multilayered squamous epithelium, which does not have blood vessels, therefore it keratizes, i.e. dies, and is systematically exfoliated. And the callous cells are replaced by new ones. The epidermis has a deep reproductive layer. Pigment cells (melanocytes) are embedded in it, where the synthesis of the pigment (melanin) takes place, on which our complexion depends.

Skin color depends not only on melanin, but also carotene and hemoglobin. Melanin - ranging in color from red to brown and even black - is produced in melanocytes, the cells in the lower layer of the epidermis. All people, regardless of race or color of skin, have the same number of melanocytes. But dark-skinned people's melanocytes make more melanin.

Carotene is an orange pigment that is absorbed e.g. from vegetables such as carrots. It is deposited in the outer layer of the epidermis and is most visible on the palms and soles. The hemoglobin found in the blood vessels of the skin makes it pink, especially when there is a small amount of melanin in the skin.

Check your skin type

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The ability to divide (reproduce), i.e. create new structures, is possessed by cylinder cells - and they constitute the basic layer of the epidermis.

The epidermis cells are also found around the hair nipples and around the back and side parts of the nail plates. Thanks to the sweat and sebaceous glands along with skin secretions - sweat and sebum - harmful metabolic products are removed and the skin can act as a systemic thermostat.

The dermis has two layers: papillary and reticular. The first one borders on the epidermis and connects with it with small protrusions (papillae). The warts are arranged in the so-called skin strips, which is especially visible on the fingers of the hand. These are our fingerprints. The papillary layer passes into the second layer of the dermis - the reticulated layer. This is where fat cells can appear.

The skin also gets sick

The most common skin diseases include:

  • atopic dermatitis
  • seborrheic dermatitis
  • psoriasis
  • acne
  • tinea

In the subcutaneous tissue there are collagen and elastic fibers. It is vascular andinnervated, and thanks to its loose structure, it can move from place to place. Fat cells readily accumulate in free spaces, forming the fat bed.

Collagen fibers form an elastic network with thick meshes. It acts as a skin scaffold. That is why, when these fibers begin to disappear around the age of 40, the first, irreversible wrinkles appear in the most weary places, e.g. on the face, waist, hands.

In addition to collagen fibers, the dermis contains elastic fibers (their origin and function are not yet fully understood; they probably give the skin elasticity), as well as individual blood cells and immune cells. At this level, in certain areas of the body, such as around the nipples and areola, and in the scrotum, there are also clusters of smooth muscles that enhance our erotic sensations.

The skin has capillaries (blood vessels) that narrow or expand depending on physical conditions (warmth, cold) or mental he alth. A cold or fear causes the blood vessels to narrow and thus turns pale, while an increase in temperature, embarrassment or positive emotions dilate the vessels, which causes redness.

Important

With age, the epidermis does not peel off and renews itself as quickly as it used to. It becomes thinner and dry. The skin produces less melanin, so the so-called skin appears on it. senile brownish spots. The gel-like substance filling the space between the fibers of the connective tissue disappears in the dermis. This reduces the ability to bind water in tissues, which reduces the elasticity and firmness of the skin.

Collagen fibers become brittle, the skin loses its elasticity, wrinkles appear. The ever-lazy subcutaneous layer means that little nutrients reach the dermis and epidermis. Malnourished skin slackens and becomes susceptible to injuries.

Skin functions

The skin is a protective layer for the whole organism.

The primary task of the skin is to protect against external factors and regulate body temperature. Many elements work to deal with it: skin comb, hair, epidermis, sweat gland, sebaceous gland, hair follicle, hair root, dermis, vein, artery.

The skin also acts as a thermoregulator, thanks to which the body can function well in various environmental conditions.

The skin works closely with the immune system. After vaccination, antigens injected into the skin induce a local reaction. This is how the body remembers the enemy. On subsequent exposure to the antigenimmediately takes up the fight. This ability comes in handy when taking allergy tests.

Important medications (e.g. painkillers or hormones) can also be administered through the skin. When used in this way, they do not irritate the stomach, they reach the body in a constant concentration and for a long time, because they are absorbed more slowly. Thanks to the properties of the skin, we can also effectively cleanse the body of toxins. The skin breathes on its own, excretes and absorbs various substances. That is why, e.g. during a fasting or a cleansing treatment, compounds harmful to the body are released through the pores in the skin. The best evidence of her hard work is the unpleasant smell of sweat. It will behave similarly when we eat a lot of garlic, onions and when we smoke cigarettes.

Vitamin deficiency is visible on the skin!

Source: x-news.pl

Skin properties

Skin as an organ of senses? Of course! We do not perceive the world only through our ears, eyes, nose or tongue. What's more, the skin - up to a certain time - regenerates very well. Read on for detailed information!

The ability to regenerate quickly

Although we do not shed our skin as radically as, for example, arthropods or snakes, which "take off" it as if it were too tight clothing, our skin renews itself all the time. The old epidermal cells, as they peel off, give way to new ones. This process slows down with age (no longer 28 days, but 35 or even 50).

Non-oily cells remain on the surface, making the skin rough and unsightly. At night, the skin works more intensively than during the day - it gets rid of all impurities that travel to the lymphatic system. Elastin fibers regenerate, the water level in the skin tissues is balanced, the lipid layer on the epidermis is rebuilt.

The active substances of cosmetics applied before bedtime are best absorbed. The effect of night rest is oxygenated and nourished skin tissues. In short - we become more beautiful.

When the continuity of the skin (epidermis and dermis) is broken, the healing process begins. Blood seeps into the wound and the platelets in the wound stick together to form a plug that prevents further flow of blood. By activating the factors responsible for blood clotting, a clot is formed, which sticks the edges of the wound.

Then, with the participation of connective tissue cells (fibroblasts and macrophages), the wound is cleaned of bacteria and collagen synthesis begins. A scab is formed which is a natural dressing. When it falls off, a scar is left on the skin.

Worth knowing

Every deeper wound that reaches at least the dermis leaves behinda thickening called a scar. Compact, poorly vascularized connective tissue is produced at the site of damage. There are hypertrophic and atrophic scars. The tendency to create unsightly, overgrown scars is usually an individual skin trait. The skin scar is not hairy because there are no hair follicles in it.

The skin as a sensory organ

Under the dermis, there is the subcutaneous tissue, which consists of fatty lobules. They are separated by compact connective tissue with collagen fibers, called type III collagen. Between them are blood vessels and nerve endings.

The skin has a very branched nerve network. Its many ends are irregularly distributed all over the body. They entangle the hair follicles, sweat and sebaceous glands. Their task is to register the sensations of touch and pain. They have the ability to feel stimuli in a radius of 1 to 12 mm.

The touch receptors include, among others Merkel tactile meniscus, responsible for the exact location of the stimulus, and Meissner tactile bodies. The more densely they are placed, the greater our sensitivity to pressure is.

In this respect, however, are unattainable areas with no hair, such as the fingertips, lips and the tip of the nose, and the least sensitive - the arms, thighs, and the back. If you want to cause a reaction in the skin on the tip of your nose, you just need to pinch it gently (with a force of just 2 g / mm2 ).

What else is worth knowing about leather?

Atopic skin - ways to alleviate ailments. Compresses and cosmetics for atopic skin

Skin without discoloration - how to get rid of spots, freckles, chloasma

Sensitive skin - how to care for it?

Dry skin - how to care for it? Types of dry skin

The skin under the eyes - how to care for it to keep it in good condition?

But in order to have a similar effect on the skin of the arms or thighs, you need to press these areas as much as 20 times harder. The receptors transmit the received stimuli to the brain (or rather to the thalamus and the sensory cortex), thus providing information about the sensory experience. Simply put, we feel touch, temperature and pain through our skin. This manifests itself in different ways.

In the brain, the signals are analyzed. For example, the impression of humidity is created by stimulating the touch and cold receptors. On their basis, the brain decides on the degree of vascular contractility and the release of histamine, which is mediated, among others, by in the development of inflammation. The receptors responsible for tactile sensations also inform about the sensation of itching, temperature changes and pain.

Its appearance is usually the result of tissue damage. The increasing strength of the stimulus causes a feeling of touch, pressure, warmth or coldturns into distinct pain. The mechanism of his perception is chemical.

Mediators are released from damaged tissues - chemical compounds which, by affecting nerve endings, trigger reactions leading to the formation of an electrical impulse.

The appearance of the skin shows our he alth

The appearance of the skin can tell if something is wrong with us. For example, on this basis, doctors detect 20 percent. diabetes cases. Likewise, thyroid conditions make the skin dry, flaky and irritated.

"Zdrowie" monthly

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Category:

Dermatology