human skin: Quick Facts

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Detailed cross-section illustration of human skin showing layers including the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous fat, with labeled structures such as hair, pores, sweat gland, oil gland, nerves, blood vessels, and hair follicle.

A section through the skin. The tough, dead cells of the outer epidermal surface (corneal layer) serve as a physical barrier and are continually replaced by cells produced in the basal layer. The thick supportive layer of dermis contains nerve endings, blood vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and oil glands. The hair follicle encloses the root of the hair. Oil glands associated with hair follicles secrete an oily substance (sebum) which lubricates the skin surface. The watery secretions of the tubular sweat glands are released onto the skin's surface through small pores. A layer of fat cells lies below the dermis.

Learn how regenerative properties of the skin helps to protect the human body from the external environment

What causes our skin to wrinkle as we age?

Examine how a subcutaneous fat layer supplies nutrients to dense connective tissue and epithelial cells

Close-up of a person holding a child's hand with scabs on the fingers, gently cleaning the wounds with gauze.

The science behind human hair growth

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