Skin Histology: Blood Vessels, Connective Tissues, and Epithelia (Video Notes)

Areolar connective tissue

Loose connective tissue located under epithelia (dermal papillary layer) that contains blood vessels and supports the epidermis.

Dense irregular connective tissue

Dense network of collagen fibers arranged irregularly in the dermis (reticular layer); provides multidirectional strength and contains blood vessels.

Dense regular connective tissue

Dense tissue with parallel collagen fibers; provides strong, unidirectional resistance; found in tendons and ligaments.

Epidermis

The outermost, avascular layer of the skin composed of stratified squamous epithelium.

Papillary layer

Superficial dermal layer made of areolar connective tissue; contains capillaries, nerves, and dermal papillae.

Reticular layer

Deep dermal layer of dense irregular connective tissue; provides strength and houses glands, hair follicles, and larger vessels.

Dermis

Layer beneath the epidermis consisting of the papillary and reticular layers; contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Simple columnar epithelium

A single layer of tall, column-shaped cells