Dermis

The Dermis is composed of:

Three types of tissue made of Protein.

• Collagen Elastin.
• Reticular Fibers.
• The upper layer contains a thin arrangement of collagen fibers.
• The lower layer is made up of thick collagen fibers arranged parallel to the surface of the skin.

The Dermis is responsible for:

• Mechanical protection (elasticity).
• Body temperature (capillaries).
• Hair follicles (sebum (oil canals).
• Sweat glands (temperature control).
• Nerves (contact and pain sensors).
• Vitamins, minerals and oxygen (food) supply to the epidermis
• Diffusion via capillaries (small blood vessels).

Specialist Dermal Cells:

• The hair follicles are found here.
• Sebaceous (oil glands) and apocrine (scent glands) are connected to the hair follicle (hair shaft).
• The Dermis also contains sweat glands.
• Blood vessels and nerves pass through the Dermis.
• Nerves transmit sensations of pain, hot and cold etc.
• Specialized nerve cells called Meissner’s and Vater-Pacini corpuscles also transmit feelings of touch and pressure.