Chapter: Clinical Dermatology: The function and structure of the skin
The function and structure of the skin
The
function and structure of the skin
The
skinathe interface between humans and their environmentais the largest organ in
the body. It weighs an average of 4 kg and covers an area of 2 m2.
It acts as a barrier, protecting the body from harsh external conditions and
preventing the loss of important body constituents, especially water. A death
from destruction of skin, as in a burn, or in toxic epidermal necrolysis, and
the misery of unpleasant acne, remind us of its many important functions, which
range from the
vital to the cosmetic (Table 2.1).
The skin has two layers. The outer
is epithelial, the epidermis, which is firmly attached to, and
supportedby connective tissue in the underlying dermis. Beneath the dermis is loose
connective tissue, the subcutis/hypo-dermis which usually contains abundant fat
(Fig. 2.1).
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