Histology Guide

virtual microscopy laboratory

Chapter 11 - Skin

Skin covers the outer surface of the body and is the largest organ. Skin and it's accessory structures (hair, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nails) make up the integumentary system. Its primary functions are to protect the body from the environment and prevent water loss.

Skin is classified into two types:

Thin Skin

Thin skin covers most of the body except for the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. It has a relatively thin epidermis and contains hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands.

The epidermis is firmly attached to the supportive connective tissue by many hemidesosomes to the underlying basal lamina.

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Hemi-Desmosomes
TEM

Pigmented Skin

Melanin is the most important substance in determining the color of skin.

Hair

Hairs protrude from structures known as hair follicles.