Anatomy & Physiology - Dermis, Sub Q, and Sensory Receptors

Dermis

binds the epidermis to underlying tissue, tensile strength, contains skeletal, muscle and smooth mt

Layers of Dermis

papillary layer, reticular layer

Papillary (upper layer)

responsible for creating fingerprints, increases the surface area where the dermis meets the epidermis, made mostly of loose areolar ct

Dermal papillae

dermal projections that extend up toward the epidermis, creating ridges

Reticular Layer (lower layer)

contains densely packed collagen and elastic fibers, houses accessory structures

Subcutaneous layer

also called hypodermis, contains adipose, areolar tissue, blood vessels, and nerves, energy, protection, and insulation

Sensory receptors

meissner’s corpuscles, Pacinian corpuscles

Meissner’s corpuscles

sense light touch and texture, located in the dermal papillary of papillary layer, abundant in hairless portions of the skin

Pacinian corpuscles

deep pressure receptors, located deep in dermis or subcutaneous layers, found in deep dermal tissue of hands, feet, urethra, penis, breasts, and tendons