Skin
Anatomy of the Skin
- Three layers
- Epidermis
- Avascular
- Stratified squamous cells
- Thickness varies
- 0.05 mm (eyelids) to 0.15 mm (palms and soles)
- Surface cells are chronically shed and replaced by mitotic cells from the basal layer
- As cells migrate from basal to outer epidermis, they lose their nuclei and ability to replicate
- Dermis
- Thickness: 1-2mm
- Papillary layer adjacent to the epidermis basement membrane and a deeper reticular layer
- Connective tissue stroma of collagen and elastin fibers gives the skin structural integrity
- Contains:
- Nerves
- Blood and lymphatic vessels
- Adnexal structures
- Subcutis
- Most variable thickness and contains connective tissue and fat supporting larger nerves and vessels
- Epidermis
Epidemiology and Etiology of Skin Cancer
page revision: 3, last edited: 28 Jul 2012 18:02