Structure and Function of the Skin
(b) Dermis
It is the inner layer located under the epidermis.
It is comparatively thicker than the epidermis.
It has structures like blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair, sebaceous glands and subcutaneous fat layer.
Blood vessels
Consists of arteries, veins and capillaries that transport substances and enhance thermoregulation.
Arterioles bring oxygen and nutrients to the skin tissues.
The venules take away waste products like carbon (IV) oxide and nitrogenous wastes.
Lymphatic vessels
Drain away lymph from the skin to bring it to the deeper lymphatic vessels into the bloodstream.
Sweat glands
Are coiled tube-like structures that contain secretory cells.
Absorb fluids from the surrounding cells and release it to the outside through their ducts as sweat.
Sweat contains water, urea, uric acid and some mineral salts.
