Dermis

Dermis

Overview

• The dermis is the second layer of the skin.

• It is 10 to 40 times thicker than the epidermis.

Components

• Appendages of the Skin:

  • Hair follicles

  • Sebaceous glands

  • Two types of sweat glands:

    • Eccrine

    • Apocrine

• Structure:

  • 80% moisture

  • Elastin fibers for elasticity

  • Collagen fibers for structural support

Collagen

• Represents about 70% of the dermal proteins.

• Provides:

  • Resistance

  • Resilience

  • Traction

• 20 different types of collagen identified; collagen I and III are most common.

• Optimum wound healing starts with thin collagen fibers, increasing in thickness.

Keloids

• Formed when wound healing begins with thicker collagen forms.

Additional Components

• Structural glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans:

  • Responsible for hydration and suppleness

  • Regulate permeability and provide pressure resistance

  • Influence protein orientation.