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STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE SKIN

  • Function of skin: The skin is a large, complex organ with a variety of important functions: Mechanical barrier, temperature regulation, fluid balance, immune response

  • Layers of the skin: The skin has three layers: 1) Epidermis, 2) Dermis, and 3) Hypodermis (adipose tissue, sweat glands, blood vessels, lymphatics)

  • Layers of the epidermis: From surface to base – stratum corneum (keratin), stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum (desmosomes), and stratum basale

FIGURE 11.1

Structure of the epidermis.

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