sebaceous glands to form a whitish sticky
substance (vernix caseosa) which covers
INTRODUCTION
The skin is the most superficial and also
the largest organ in the body. It has a dual
origin:
1.A superficial layer, the epidermis
which develops from the surface
ectoderm.
2.A deep layer, the dermis which evelops from
the underlying mesenchyme.
The skin functions as a barrier against
infection, serves in thermoregulation, and
protects
the
body against dehydration.
Epidermis
The epidermis is derived from the surface
ectoderm. This is at first single-layered. At
the
end of the fourth month, the epidermis
acquires its definitive arrangement, and
four layers
can be distinguished: (1) The basal layer
which is responsible for production of new
cells.
This layer later forms ridges and hollows,
which are reflected on the surface of the
skin
in the fingerprint. (2) A thick spinous layer
which consists of large polyhedral cells
containing fine tonofibrils. (3) The
granular layer which contains small
keratohyalin
granules in its cells. (4) The horny layer
which forms the tough scalelike surface of
the
epidermis and is made up of closely
packed dead cells containing keratin.
Many of the superficial layers are shed off.
These get mixed up with secretions of
the
skin of the newborn infant. The vernix
caseosa has a protective function.
The melanoblasts of the epidermis are
derived from the neural crest. These cells
synthesize melanin pigments responsible
for skin and hair colour. Cells of Merkel
and of
Langerhans appear in the epidermis
between 8 and 12 weeks of intrauterine
life.
Dermis
The dermis is formed by condensation and
differentiation of mesenchyme underlying
the
surface ectoderm. They are believed to be
derived from many different sources and
includes:
1.Neural crest cells which supply the
mesenchymal cells for the dermis of
face and
neck
2.Paraxial mesoderm which supply the
mesenchymal cells for the dermis of
the
back
3.Lateral plate mesoderm supplying
mesenchymal cells for the dermis of
the body
wall and limbs.
The line of junction between dermis and
epidermis is at first straight. Subsequently,
the
epidermis shows regularly spaced
thickenings that project into the dermis.
The portions of dermis intervening
between these projections form the dermal
papillae. Still later,
surface elevations (epidermal ridges) are
formed by further thickening of the
epidermis
in the same situation. Sweat glands
Sweat gland develops as a downgrowth
DEVELOPMENT OF SKIN from the epidermis. The downgrowth is at
APPENDAGES first

Hair solid but is later canalized. The lower end

The hair are also derived from surface
ectoderm. At the site where a hair follicle
is to
of the downgrowth becomes coiled and
forms
the secretory part of the gland.

form, the germinal layer of the epidermis
proliferates to form a cylindrical mass that
grows down into the dermis. The lower
end of this downgrowth becomes
expanded and
is invaginated by a condensation of
mesoderm, which forms the hair papilla
which is
soon filled with mesenchymal cells that
develop into blood vessel and nerve
endings.
Soon, cells in the center of the hair buds
become spindle-shaped and keratinized,
forming
There are two types of sweat glands
namely the eccrine and apocrine glands.
The eccrine
glands develop over most of the body and
function in temperature control and
exocytosis.
The apocrine glands develop during
puberty in parts of the body there are hair
such as
the face, pubic region and axilla. The
sweat produced by these apocrine glands
contains
lipids, proteins and pheromones. The odor
associated with this sweat is as a result of

the hair shaft, while peripheral cells bacterial decomposition of this substances.
become cuboidal, giving rise to the Mammary glands
epithelial hair Mammary glands develop from the
sheath. As the hair grows to the surface, mammary ridge. These ridge appearing on
the cells forming the wall of the the left
downgrowth
surround it and form the epithelial root
sheath. An additional dermal root sheath is
formed
from the surrounding mesenchymal cells.
A thin band of smooth muscle (arrector
pili) is formed by mesodermal cells and
gets attached to the dermal root sheath. A
typical hair follicle is thus formed Lanugo
hair is the first set of hairs to appear and it
is shed at about the time of birth and
is later replaced by coarser hairs arising
from new hair follicles.
Sebaceous glands develop from the
epithelial wall of the hair follicle and
elaborate sebum into the hair follicle.
 Stage III: Breasts which encodes for Clinical features
show elevation of the filaggrin include the most
and right sides of contours, and protein (a major severe form of
the body extends areolae enlarge component of ichthyosis. The
from the base of Stage IV: Breasts keratohyalin). fetus is encased by
the forelimb to the form secondary Clinical features massive, armor-
region of the hind areolar mounds include the mildest like plates of scale
limb. Although a Stage V: Breasts form of ichthyosis. with deep fissures;
major part of these show adult breast It the diamond-like
ridges disappear contour, areolae presents during configuration of
shortly after being recess to the childhood after 3 the scales results in
formed, a portion general contour of months of age, and the appearance of a
persists in the the appearance harlequin clown.
pectoral region and breast, and the consists of fine Many such infants
penetrate into the nipples project. white are stillborn
underlying scales on the or die shortly after
mesenchymal. extensor surfaces birth.
CLINICAL of the extremities.
Canalization of CORRELATES Psoriasis is a skin
these epithelial b. Harlequin fetus disease
Ichthyosis refers to
downgrowths is an autosomal characterized by
results in formation a group of recessive genetic excess cell
of alveoli and cutaneous disorder caused by proliferation in the
disorders a mutation in
lactiferous ducts. stratum basale
characterized by
The lactiferous the ABCA12 gene and in the stratum
increased or
ducts drain into an on chromosome spinosum. This
epithelial pit, the aberrant
2q34, which results in
future nipple. keratinization of encodes for the thickening of the
The Tanner stages the skin resulting adenosine epidermis and
of breast in triphosphate- shorter
development are noninflammatory regeneration time
binding cassette
guidelines in scaling, dryness, of the epidermis.
transporter
assessing whether a and cracks in the
(subfamily A, Hypertrichosis is
female skin that may form member 12), which an overgrowth of
adolescent is deep fissures. functions as a lipid hair. It is
developing Types include:
transporter in frequently
normally: a. Ichthyosis keratinocytes. associated with
Stage I: Breasts vulgaris is an These spina bifida
have papillae autosomal mutations lead to occulta, which is
elevations only dominant genetic impaired lipid seen as a patch of
disorder caused by secretion from hair overlying the
Stage II: Breasts
have palpable a mutation lamellar granules defect.
buds, and areolae in the FLG gene on in keratinocytes. Polythelia is a
enlarge chromosome 1q21, condition in which
supernumerary and protection 1. Neural crest blood vessels and
nipples occur along against dehydration cells: supply nerve endings
the mammary mesenchymal cells - Hair shaft:
for the dermis of spindle-shaped,
ridge. II. Epidermis
the face and neck keratinized cells in
Polymastia is a - Derived from
2. Paraxial the center of hair
condition in which the surface
mesoderm: supply buds
supernumerary ectoderm
mesenchymal cells - Epithelial hair
breasts occur along - Four layers of for the dermis of sheath: peripheral
the mammary the epidermis: the back cuboidal cells
ridge. 1. Basal layer: 3. Lateral plate surrounding hair
responsible for the mesoderm: supply shaft
Breast
production of new mesenchymal cells
hypoplasia: this - Epithelial root
cells and forms for the dermis of
generally occurs sheath: cells
ridges and hollows the body wall and
asymmetrically forming the wall of
(fingerprint) limbs
when one breast the downgrowth
2. Spinous - Line of junction surrounding the
fails to
layer: consists of between dermis hair
develop large polyhedral
completely. and epidermis - Dermal root
cells with fine becomes straight sheath: formed
tonofibrils initially, later from surrounding
Summary 3. Granular forming dermal mesenchymal cells
layer: contains papillae and
- Sebaceous
Embryology of small keratohyalin epidermal ridges
glands
Development of granules in its cells
- Develop from
the Integumentary 4. Horny layer: IV. Development the epithelial wall
System tough scale-like of Skin of the hair follicle
surface of the Appendages
epidermis, made up - Elaborate
I. Introduction - Hair
of dead cells sebum into the hair
- The skin: the containing keratin - Derived from follicle
most superficial surface ectoderm - Sweat glands
and largest organ - Hair follicle
III. Dermis - Develop as a
in the body formation:
- Formed by downgrowth from
- Dual origin of germinal layer of
condensation and the epidermis
the skin: surface epidermis
differentiation of - Eccrine
ectoderm proliferates, forms
mesenchyme glands: develop
(epidermis) and a downgrowth into
underlying the over most of the
underlying the dermis
surface ectoderm body, function in
mesenchyme - Hair papilla:
- Different temperature control
(dermis) invagination of
sources of and exocytosis
- Functions of the mesoderm filled
mesenchymal cells - Apocrine
skin: barrier with mesenchymal
for dermis glands: develop
against infection, cells, develops
development: during puberty in
thermoregulation,
areas with hair, - Harlequin
produce sweat fetus: caused by a
containing lipids, mutation in the
proteins, and ABCA12 gene,
pheromones most severe form
- Mammary with armor-like
glands plates of scale
- Develop from - Psoriasis:
the mammary excess cell
ridge, extending proliferation in the
from the base of stratum basale and
the forelimb to the spinosum,
region of the hind thickening of the
limb epidermis
- Canalization - Hypertrichosis:
of epithelial overgrowth of hair,
downgrowths often associated
results in the with spina bifida
formation of occulta
alveoli and - Polythelia:
lactiferous ducts supernumerary
- Tanner stages nipples along the
of breast mammary ridge
development: - Polymastia:
guidelines for supernumerary
assessing normal breasts along the
development in mammary ridge
females - Breast
hypoplasia:
V. Clinical incomplete
Correlates development of
one breast
- Ichthyosis:
increased or
aberrant If you have any
keratinization of questions or need
the skin, resulting further clarification
in scaling, dryness, on any of these
and cracks topics, feel free to
- Ichthyosis ask!
vulgaris: caused by
a mutation in the
FLG gene, mildest
form with fine
white scales