Skin Anatomy 101- One Skin Part 4 of 12

Skin Anatomy 101- One Skin Part 4 of 12

Skin Anatomy 101- One Skin Part 4 of 12

One Skin January SpecialThe skin is the largest organ of the body and performs multiple functions.

  • The skin performs several functions:
  • Protection: It forms an anatomical barrier to pathogens.
  • Immunity: Langerhans cells create a local immune response, separate from the rest of the body.
  • Sensation: Hot, cold, touch and tissue injury is perceived due to specialty cells in the skin.
  • Thermoregulation: The ability to control our core temperature is aided by the skin’s ability to dilate/constrict blood vessels and to sweat.
  • Evaporation: Control of the sweat glands allows the skin to control the amount of water evaporation from the body.
  • Oil production: Helps reduce water loss and inhibits microbial growth.
  • Synthesize: provitamin D3 is converted to previtamin D3 in the skin by UV light, then to the active form of vitamin D3. FYI vitamin D is a hormone, not a vitamin.