Skin Histology

1
Chapter 5

• Skin Histology
• Dermis
• J.F. Thompson, Ph.D.

2
The Dermis - General

• primarily irregular dense fibrous conn. tissue
• variable thickness - thicker on palms and soles
  thicker on dorsal surfaces rather than on
  ventral thicker on lateral surfaces rather than
  on medial surfaces
• few cells present - fibroblasts, macrophages,
  adipocytes
• matrix thick with many protein fibers collagen,
  elastin, reticular
• the location for blood vessels, nerves and
  sensory receptors, sweat and oil glands, and hair
  follicles

3
Dermis - Structure

• Papillary region (layer) - superficial layer -
  20
• areolar connective tissue, elastic fibers
• dermal papillae mound-like projections to
  increase the surface area for nutrition from
  capillaries
• some papillae contain Meissner's corpuscles (for
  light touch)

4
Dermis Structure (cont.)

• Reticular region - 80
• dense, irregular fibrous connective tissue
• collagen, elastic fibers in a network surrounding
  the various cells
• fibers give strength, elasticity, extensibility
• tears in reticular region - "stretch marks -
  long straight red or white streaks

5
Dermis
Papillary and Reticular Regions
6
Meissners Corpuscles
7
Pacinian Corpuscles
8
End Ch 5

• Skin Histology
• Dermis