INTEGRITY OF SKIN IN HUMANS
The concept of skin integrity will illustrate the importance of keeping the skin intact
and healthy. By understanding the structure of the skin, we will always maintain healthy
skin and support wound healing. Intact and healthy skin will protect us from chemical and
mechanical injury. When the skin is injured, the epidermis protects against pathogenic
microorganisms. The dermis restores the structural integrity (collagen) and physical
integrity of the skin.
The skin is an organ of the body that functions as the body's primary defense in
preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. If there is damage to the skin,
then microorganisms have the potential to enter and cause infection. The skin consists of
two layers, the epidermis and dermis and is bounded by a membrane. The uppermost
layer called the epidermis has several layers. The stratum corneum is the outermost, thin
layer of the epidermis. The stratum corneum is made up of flat cells, dead cells and
keratinized cells. These cells are formed from the innermost layer of the epidermis, which
is usually called the basal layer. Cells in the basal layer divide, proliferate and migrate
towards the surface of the epidermis. Once the cells reach the stratum corneum, they
become flat and die. This constant movement ensures that the cells on the surface slough
off through the process of desquamation or peeling. This thin stratum corneum protects
the underlying cells and tissues from dehydration and prevents the entry of certain
chemical agents. The stratum corneum allows evaporation of water from the skin and
absorption of certain topical medications.
The dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, provides span, mechanical support, and
protection to the underlying bones, muscles, and organs. The dermis differs from the
epidermis in that it consists mostly of connective tissue and a few skin cells. Collagen (a
tough fibrous protein), blood vessels, and nerves are located in the dermal layer.
Fibroblasts, which are responsible for collagen formation, are a specialized cell type
within the dermis. skin integrity and support wound healing.
The concept of skin integrity will illustrate the importance of keeping the skin intact
and healthy. By understanding the structure of the skin, we will always maintain healthy
skin and support wound healing. Intact and healthy skin will protect us from chemical and
mechanical injury. When the skin is injured, the epidermis protects against pathogenic
microorganisms. The dermis restores the structural integrity (collagen) and physical
integrity of the skin.
The skin is an organ of the body that functions as the body's primary defense in
preventing the invasion of pathogenic microorganisms. If there is damage to the skin,
then microorganisms have the potential to enter and cause infection. The skin consists of
two layers, the epidermis and dermis and is bounded by a membrane. The uppermost
layer called the epidermis has several layers. The stratum corneum is the outermost, thin
layer of the epidermis. The stratum corneum is made up of flat cells, dead cells and
keratinized cells. These cells are formed from the innermost layer of the epidermis, which
is usually called the basal layer. Cells in the basal layer divide, proliferate and migrate
towards the surface of the epidermis. Once the cells reach the stratum corneum, they
become flat and die. This constant movement ensures that the cells on the surface slough
off through the process of desquamation or peeling. This thin stratum corneum protects
the underlying cells and tissues from dehydration and prevents the entry of certain
chemical agents. The stratum corneum allows evaporation of water from the skin and
absorption of certain topical medications.
The dermis, the deepest layer of the skin, provides span, mechanical support, and
protection to the underlying bones, muscles, and organs. The dermis differs from the
epidermis in that it consists mostly of connective tissue and a few skin cells. Collagen (a
tough fibrous protein), blood vessels, and nerves are located in the dermal layer.
Fibroblasts, which are responsible for collagen formation, are a specialized cell type
within the dermis. skin integrity and support wound healing.
