Skin Structure Research Paper

Anatomy & Physiology Assignment

The skin structure and its functions:

The skin has many different functions such as sensation, heat regulation, absorption, protection, excretion and secretion. Can be remembered by ‘shapes’. [pic]
The sweat gland is a looped gland located in the dermis. The gland produces sweat to help regulate body temperature when the body temperature begins to rise. During this process it removes small amounts of waste products such as salt and urea (chemical compound found in urine). A pore is the opening at the surface of the skin, sweat passes through the pore onto the surface of the skin. The skin also has sensory nerve endings; the free nerve endings are located in the epidermis and the dermis. They respond to a range of
The sebaceous gland produces sebum, this is the oil which lubricates the hair and skin and prevents loss of moisture. Sebum can also have slight antiseptic properties.

The arrector pili muscle is a smooth muscle tissue attached from the side of the hair follicle to the epidermis. When this muscle contracts it causes what we call ‘goose pimples/bumps’, this is when the hairs on the area are standing on end. This is an attempt by the body to try to trap a layer of still warmed air within the follicle and against the surface of the body to prevent heat loss.

The hair growth of our bodies is like all cells on the body, the growth requires oxygen and nutrients to grow. Oxygen and nutrients are transported to the hair in the blood. Growing cells at the base of the hair follicle known as the germinal matrix surround the blood capillaries (dermal papilla) divide by cell mitosis which then the hair grows. As these cells begin to move up the hair follicle they begin to change and slowly they become hard keratinized cells, these cells are constantly shedding and replaced. After this process the hair becomes a hard, dead