The skin is the largest organ in our body and weighs an average of 15 to 20 kilos. It consists of three different layers: the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue, each with its own function and it offers protection against invaders such as germs such as bacteria from the outside. The skin also ensures heat regulation and contains tactile senses. What is the skin made of and what functions does it have exactly?
General
The skin is the largest organ in your body. From the outside it seems to be a whole, but in reality the skin consists of 3 different layers, each with its own function. Your skin ensures that everything that does not belong inside your body stays outside. It is therefore a protective layer against harmful bacteria, viruses and all kinds of other intruders. It regulates body temperature and responds to touch. The skin – together with the subcutaneous connective tissue – weighs an average of 15 to 20 kilos and has an area of about 1.5 to 2 square meters. It consists of 70 percent water, 25% protein and for
3 to 5% from fat.
How the skin works
The skin is much more complicated than you might think at first glance. The 3 layers of the skin are: the epidermis, dermis and the subcutaneous tissue. These also each consist of different layers. As you get older, changes in the tissue can lead to easy skin damage. You can see some of those changes, such as wrinkles, others you cannot. The 3 skin layers are discussed below.
Epidermis (epidermis)
The epidermis consists of five sub-layers. The top layer, which is very thin, is called the horny layer (stratum corneum) and protects the body against external influences. The horny layer consists of hard, flattened dead cells. You lose flakes from this layer of the skin: you lose about 30,000 dead skin cells per minute. Underneath, the younger cells emerge, which were formed in the deeper layers of the epidermis and pushed out through the middle layers until they themselves formed the horny layer. In a period of 2 to 4 weeks, all old cells are flaked and replaced by younger ones. Perhaps interesting to know that the dust that you find in the house consists largely of these skin flakes.
Squamous cells and basal cells
There are mainly 2 cell types under the horny layer: squamous cells and basal cells. Squamous cells produce keratin. This is a protein that makes up an important part of the skin, hair and nails. Basal cells are located in the deepest layer of the epidermis, where new cells are continuously being created. Cancer can develop in both types. Melanocytes are cells that form skin pigment, or melanin. Cancer can also develop in those cells.
Dermis (corium skin)
The middle layer of the skin is called the dermis and it is the thickest layer. About 90% of the skin consists of this. The main role of this layer is to regulate body temperature and ensure that nutrient-rich blood flows to the epidermis. This skin layer contains nerve fibers, fat cells, blood vessels, sweat and sebaceous glands and hair follicles. The dermis also contains collagen and elastin. These are two proteins responsible for the structure and elasticity of the skin.
Collagen
About 75 to 80% of the skin is made up of collagen, a protein produced in the dermis by cells called fibroblasts. Collagen is one of the strongest proteins in our body and gives the skin firmness and durability.
Elastin
Another protein produced in the dermis is elastin. This protein gives your skin resilience and ensures that your skin can stretch, but also returns to its original shape.
Subcutaneous tissue (subcutaneous tissue)
This layer consists mainly of subcutaneous (subcutaneous) connective tissue and fat. It is essential to have a certain number of fat cells in the subcutaneous tissue, because these cells provide energy, serve as a heat-regulating layer and can absorb blows to protect underlying organs and tissues. An excess of subcutaneous adipose tissue causes you to gain weight. In the subcutaneous tissue are also the sweat glands, which flush waste products from your body by sweating.