Also called the hypodermis; the tissue consists of areolar and adipose tissues; Contains nerve endings called "lamellar corpuscles" or Pacinian corpuscles that are sensitive to pressure
Produce a fibrous protein called "keratin"; Also produce lamellar granules, which release a water-repellent sealant that decreases water entry and loss and inhibits the entry of foreign materials
Least numerous (2%); Located in the deepest layer; They make contact with the flattened process of a sensory neuron (nerve cell), called a non-encapsulated sensory corpuscle or Merkel disc
Deepest layer; Single-row of cuboidal or columnar keratinocytes; Some cells are stem cells that undergo cell division; Contains keratin intermediate filaments (tonofilaments)
Present only in skin of palms, palmar surfaces of digits, soles, and plantar surfaces of toes; Consists of 4-6 rows of clear, flat, dead keratinocytes with large amounts of keratin
Composed of irregular connective tissue containing collagen and elastic fibers; Woven network of fibers has great tensile strength and ability to stretch and recoil easily; Much thicker than epidermis
About 1/5 of thickness of the total layer; Contains thin collagen and fine elastic fibers; Surface area is increased by dermal papillae; Contains capillary loops and some tactile receptors or free nerve endings
Attached to subcutaneous tissue; Contains bundles of thick collagen fibers, scattered fibroblast, and various wandering cells (macrophages); Collagen fibers are arranged in netlike manner and have a more regular arrangement than those in papillary dermis
Causes the skin's color to vary from pale yellow to reddish-brown to black; Synthesized by melanocytes from the amino acid tyrosine in the presence of tyrosinases; Serves a protective function by absorbing UV radiation
Present on most skin surfaces except the nipples, the palms, palmar surfaces of the fingers, the soles, the plantar surface of the toes, and labia minora, and prepuce of the penis; Consists of hair shaft and hair root