Organ: Skin

Descriptions of Skin

Skin: a natural protective covering of the body; site of the sense of touch; "your skin is the largest organ of your body"
Source: WordNet 2.1

Skin : covering of the outer region of the body that protects it from the environment.
Source: CRISP

Article Excerpts about Skin

The skin is the largest organ in the body --- both in weight and in surface area --- and separates the body's internal environment from the external environment. The skin has many diverse roles. It acts as a channel of communication with the outside world; protects the body from water loss; uses specialized pigment cells, called melanocytes, to protect the body from ultraviolet radiation; participates in calcium homeostasis by contributing to the body's supply of vitamin D; and helps regulate body temperature and metabolism.

Your skin protects your body against heat, light, infection, and injury. It also stores water and fat and produces vitamin D. The skin has two main layers and several kinds of cells. The top layer of skin is called the epidermis. It contains three kinds of cells: flat, scaly cells on the surface called squamous cells; round cells called basal cells; and cells called melanocytes, which give your skin its color.

The inner layer of skin is called the dermis. This layer is thicker, and contains blood vessels, nerves, and sweat glands. The hair on your skin also grows from tiny pockets in the dermis, called follicles. The dermis makes sweat, which helps to cool your body, and oils that keep your skin from drying out. (Source: excerpt from Skin Cancer: NWHIC)

The skin is the body's largest organ. It protects against heat, sunlight, injury, and infection. It helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. The skin has two main layers: the outer epidermis and the inner dermis .

The epidermis is mostly made up of flat, scalelike cells called squamous cells . Round cells called basal cells lie under the squamous cells in the epidermis. The lower part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes.

The dermis contains blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, hair follicles , and glands. Some of these glands produce sweat, which helps regulate body temperature, and some produce sebum , an oily substance that helps keep the skin from drying out. Sweat and sebum reach the skin's surface through tiny openings called pores. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Melanoma: NCI)

Summary Information: Skin

Condition count: 91 ; see list below.

Organ subtypes: subcutaneous tissues (2), skin folds (1)

Organ types: Immune system (145)

Related organs: muscles (60), fat (1), connective tissues (9), hair (12), nails (6)

Organs: list of all organs

Diseases List for Skin:

The following list of medical conditions have 'Skin' or similar listed as an affected body part in our database:

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