Health Boards
Mon-21-11-2011, 14:30 PM
Skin is the largest organ of the human body and the average adult skin has a surface area of between 1.5-2.0 square metres, its thickness varies from 0.5mm on your eyelids to 4mm or more on the palms of your hands. The average 6.5 cm² of skin holds 650 sweat glands, 20 blood vessels, 60,000 melanocytes, and more than 1,000 nerve endings.
Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Skin additionally is a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. At the same time, skin allows us free movement and without it, we'd literally evaporate.
Skin is composed of three primary layers:
#1 the epidermis, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to infection.
#2 the dermis, which gives the organ its strength and elasticity.
#3 the hypodermis (subcutis) contains blood vessels and nerves It also works as insulation and cushions us from knocks and falls.
Skin offers Protection, Sensation, Heat and Evaporation Regulation, Storage and Synthesis, Excretion and Absorption, it’s also Water Resistant and can even Heal Itself.
So remember even though you have psoriasis and your epidermis cells reproduce in 2-10 days instead of 20-30, the skin is still a wonderful organ.
Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Skin additionally is a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. At the same time, skin allows us free movement and without it, we'd literally evaporate.
Skin is composed of three primary layers:
#1 the epidermis, which provides waterproofing and serves as a barrier to infection.
#2 the dermis, which gives the organ its strength and elasticity.
#3 the hypodermis (subcutis) contains blood vessels and nerves It also works as insulation and cushions us from knocks and falls.
Skin offers Protection, Sensation, Heat and Evaporation Regulation, Storage and Synthesis, Excretion and Absorption, it’s also Water Resistant and can even Heal Itself.
So remember even though you have psoriasis and your epidermis cells reproduce in 2-10 days instead of 20-30, the skin is still a wonderful organ.
