SKIN

By
Sahar Gamal Abo Elfadl
Professor of Histology
 Histology
Department

OBJECTIVES

 Describethe microscopic structure of the

skin with special reference to cells
forming the epidermis and the layers of
the dermis.

 Compare between thin and thick skin.

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LARGEST

ORGAN
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STRUCTURE
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FUNCTIONS Department

 Physical protection
 Barrier against bacteria, UV, chemicals, friction

 Hydroregulation
 Prevents water loss (due to keratin and sebum)

 Thermoregulation
 Helps in regulation of body temperature through radiation, evaporation,
skin capillaries dilation/constriction

 Cutaneous absorption
 Only lipid based chemicals penetrate (significantly) the skin

 Synthesis
 Skin synthesizes melanin (color), ketanin (toughness) and Vitamin D
(Calcium metabolism)

 Sensory reception
 Senses touch, pressure, heat, cold and tissue damage (pain)
 Communication
 Reflects emotions through facial expressions, gland secretions
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TYPES
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THICK SKIN
Epidermis
 Superficial layer of keratinized stratified
squamous epithelium
 ectodermal in origin.

 It is avascular i.e., has no special blood vessels

and depends on diffusion of nutrients and oxygen
from the dermal blood vessels.
 It has rich nerve supply (highly sensitive).

 It is highly regenerative.

 Cells are classified into

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THICK SKIN

Epidermis
(a) Keratinocytes
 About 90% of epidermal cells.
 Responsible for keratin formation.
 Epithelial in origin.
 They are responsible for the toughness,
durability and water-resistance of skin.
 Deeper layers are continuously dividing,
 Superficial layers are continuously shed off.
According to the degree of maturation of the
keratinocytes, the epidermis consists of 5
layers:
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1. STRATUM BASALE (BASAL CELL LAYER)

LM:
 LM:

- One row of low

columnar cells
- Resting on clear wavy
basement membrane.
- Cells have basophilic
cytoplasm.
- Single basal oval
vesicular nucleus
- Frequent mitotic
figures.
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2. STRATUM SPINOSUM (PRICKLE CELL LAYER)

LM:
- LM:
Many layers of
polygonal cells above
stratum basale.
- have less basophilic
cytoplasm.
- Cells show many
spiny projections at
sites of desmosomes.
- Single rounded
central vesicular
nucleus. Frequent
mitotic figures are
present in deep layers
 Histology
3. STRATUM GRANULOSUM Department

(GRANULAR CELL LAYER)

 LM:

•Diamond-shaped
cells.
•Deeply basophilic
and granular
(keratin)cytoplam.
•Flat pale nuclei.
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4. STRATUM LUCIDUM (CLEAR LAYER)

 LM:
• Thin, lightly stained,
clear, homogeneous
layer.
•Very flattened cells.
•Cells have acidophilic
cytoplasm.
• Nuclei are on their
way to disappear by
karyolysis.
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5. STRATUM CORNEUM (HORNY LAYER)

•LM:
LM:
• Thick
eosinophilic layer
of dead heavily
keratinized cells,
forming dead
cells, (scales).
• Cells are
continuously shed
off
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(B) NON-KERATINOCYTES

Langerhans Cells
Origin: Monocytes (mesodermal)
(Antigen-presenting Cells)

Merkel’s Cells
origin: modified epithelial cell
( ectodermal)
(Mechanoreceptor/
Neurosecretory)

Melanocytes
Origin: neural crest
( ectodermal )
(Melanin formation)
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2. DERMIS
 It is the C.T. layer
beneath the epidermis
that binds it to
hypodermis.
 - Its blood vessels are
the main source of
nutrition for the
avascular epidermis
above.
 Formed of 2 layers:
Papillary layer &
Reticular layer.
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Papillary layer Reticular layer

 Thinner superficial layer  Thicker deep layer

 Forms dermal papillae under
the epidermal ridges.

Formed of loose C.T. Formed of dense C.T.

More cellular (fibrocytes, Less cellular
macrophages, lymphocytes, mast
cells, adipocytes).

Fine C.T. fibers (type III Dense C.T. fibers (type I

collagen & elastic fibers). collagen & elastic fibers).

More vascular (to nourish Less vascular

the epidermis).
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DERMIS
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B. THIN (HAIRY) SKIN

 It covers all the
body except palms,
soles, tips and sides
of fingers and toes.
 Eyelid has got the
thinnest skin in the
body.
 Thin skin has the
basic skin structure
as thick skin but
with some
differences.
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Thick skin Thin skin
Sites  Palms & soles Rest of the body
 Tips & sides of fingers
& toes

Epidermis: Thicker Thinner

Malpighian layer Thicker Thinner
Granular layer Thicker(3-5) Thinner(single)
Clear layer Present Less apparent
Horny layer Very thick Very thin
Dermal papillae More, large, regular Fewer, small, irregular

Appendages:
Hair follicles Absent Present
Sebaceous glands
Arrector pili muscles
Sweat glands More numerous Less numerous
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THANK YOU