The body organ and internal tissues are covered by the skin. It form the second though tissues in the body apart from the skeleton. It gives the cover of the body body protect most internal organ. The skins is said to be very vital to our whole makeup since it give the beauty of and well structured and composition. The appearance of ones physical outward beauty depends on the skin.

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## The Structure Of The Skin



<div class=text-justify>The skin is made up of three (3) main layers. These are the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer.</div>



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**THE EPIDERMIS** - It is made
three Layers (i) An outer homo-layer made up of flat hard and dead cells resembling seal

(ii) A middle layer of more rounded cells 


(iii) The inner or Malpighian layer which contain pigments and it is responsible determining blood vessels or nerves.It vary in thickness in different parts in human and animal bodies; in the  leg it to very thicker on the soles of the feet and thin on the eyelids.

The epidermis also includes the following:

*Keratinocytes*- It's  the major  cells of the epidermis produced  by cell division at its base. New cells continually move towards the surface. As they move they gradually worn out and become flattened.

*Corneocytes*- the flattened dead keratinocytes that together make up the very outer layer of the epidermis is called the stratum corneum or horny layer. This protective layer is continually worn away or shed.

*Melanocytes* – This produces the pigment melanin that protects against  radiation and gives skin its colour.






**THE DERMIS** - The dermis lies beneath the epidermis. It is the true skin. It contains blood vessel, sweat glands, hair follicle  and nerves.

*Blood vessel* - these are tubes through which the blood flow and give live to the skins.

*Sweat glands* – produce sweat that travels via sweat ducts to openings in the epidermis called pores. They play a role in temperature regulation.

*Hair follicles* – are pits in which hairs grow. Hairs also play a role in temperature regulation.


*Nerves* - serves as impulses that transmits messages to the brain when they are affected. For instance in the case of hot object or pointed pins touching the skin.

**The subcutaneous layer** - This layer of the skin is  under the dermis  and is made up of connective tissue and fat (a good insulator) which serve as absorber of excess heat. During hot temperature and activities,  most of the fats are burnt and oxidized. Sweat is then produced.

### The importance of the skin

(1) The skin is an important excretory organ. It has sweat glands which secrete watery salt solution called the sweat.

(2) The Skin helps in temperature regulation. That's sweat is produced when the weather is very hot.

(3) The Skin provides vitamin 'd' during exposure to sunlight.


(4) The skin protects or covers the body organ.


(5) The skin has got hairs which provides the complete cover most animal's body thereby keeping them warm.



**Conclusion** 


It's advisable to protect the skin well. Even though the skin has got so many layers and new skin cells are likely to emerge. But, if the epidermis is damaged, the dermis and other layers of the skin is very soft. We've gotten issue of many individuals breaching their skins removing the epidermis and dermis. This really expose the skin to so many diseases. When the natural skin is damaged it's difficult to replace it, unless plastic surgery of the skin. There have been several issues of people pouring acids on others bodies. Acids react with the skin and causes burns which can't be repair. We should be very conscious with our skin.

***For further reading you can visit the references I consulted below:***


[Reference 1](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/skin/professional/causes/structure.htm%23:~:text%3DProvides%2520a%2520protective%2520barrier%2520against,(touch%252C%2520detects%2520temperature).&ved=2ahUKEwiN88anpd39AhWoVKQEHak8BG0QFnoECAcQBQ&usg=AOvVaw0bD2v-qbBxh-cVjt8wuTh3)

[Reference 2](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/10978-skin&ved=2ahUKEwiN88anpd39AhWoVKQEHak8BG0QFnoECGIQAQ&usg=AOvVaw0gVBz-_Yj-upQmr8_iWM_1)

[Reference 3](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.clinimed.co.uk/wound-care/wound-essentials/structure-and-function-of-the-skin&ved=2ahUKEwiN88anpd39AhWoVKQEHak8BG0QFnoECC4QAQ&usg=AOvVaw1sgCTS2gPQpMVgdB3cgUoJ)



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