Structure and Function of the Skin
January 2012
in “
Elsevier eBooks
”
TLDR The document concludes that the skin is a complex organ providing protection, sensation, and healing, with challenges in treating conditions like itchiness.
The 2012 document outlines the skin's structure and functions, emphasizing its role as a protective barrier and its involvement in various physiological processes. It details the composition of the epidermis and dermis, the differentiation of keratinocytes, the protective role of melanin against UV radiation, and the immune functions of Langerhans cells. The document also describes the skin's sensory functions, particularly the sensation of itch and its transmission through C fibers, and the complex process of wound healing, including the phases of inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. It highlights the challenges in treating pruritus, with strategies involving both topical and systemic therapies, and lists medications used for this purpose. Additionally, it discusses the potential for UV radiation to cause skin damage, malignancy, and immunosuppression, and the skin's defenses against such damage.
