Skin - Anatomy & Physiology
Development
Origin of the epidermis
Following neurulation, the precursor of the epidermis is formed from the cells covering the embryo. This then becomes 2 layers, the outer forming the periderm and the inner forming the basal layer or stratum basale. A further layer is formed from the basal layer called the spinous layer or stratum spinosum. The basal and spinous layers are termed the Malphigian layer, the cells of which then divide to produce the granular layer or stratum granulosum. As the cells of the granular layer differentiate and keratinise, they form the outer cornified layer or stratum corneum.
Structure and Function
Epidermis
The epidermis is a stratified squamous epithelium and is composed of 4 cell layers anchored to a basal lamina of connective tissue. Keratinocytes migrate through the epidermis from the basal layer. This migration begins in the stratum basale, then moves up through the stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum.
- Stratum basale
The deepest layer of the epidermis is the stratum basale. It consists of a single layer of columnar epithelium which is adhered to the basal lamina. Nutrition is supplied from the underlying capillaries of the dermis. Migration of cells towards the surface begins here.
- Stratum spinosum
Above the stratum basale is the stratum spinosum. Spinous cells are large polygonal cells with prominent desmosomal intercellular filaments. When cells move into this layer, they shrink and move apart. Keratinisation begins in the stratum spinosum and continues in the stratum granulosum.
- Stratum Granulosum
External to the stratum spinosum, lies the stratum granulosum. Granular cells are thin, flattened keratinocytes with variably prominent keratohyaline granules. At its outer surface, the stratum granulosum secretes oragnelles called lamellar bodies, which are composed of lipid and enzymes which fuse with the plasma membrane and help to form the water concentration gradient that leads to transepidermal water loss.
- Stratum Corneum
The outer layer, stratum corneum, consists of anucleate, thin cells filled with keratin filaments and proteins that form a cell envelope resistant to solvents and enzymes; there is also a permeability barrier to water and ions. The cells of the stratum corneum are embedded in a lipid-rich matrix which helps to hold the cells together, while the desmosomes that were present in lower layers have disappeared. For the stratum corneum to maintain a constant thickness, there is a constant turnover of exfoliated corneocytes, being replaced by new corneocytes. Enzymes in the lamellar bodies from the stratum granulosum help to break down the intercellular lipid 'glue' that holds the cells in place and there is also some degradation of desmosomes.
Cells of the Epidermis
- Langerhans' cells
These are dentritic cells derived from bone marrow. They act as antigen presenting cells in the epidermis as part of the mononuclear phagocyte immune system. Langerhans' cells express MHC I and II molecules and immunoglubulin Fc receptors and are a key feature of delayed hypersensitivity responses.
- Melanocytes
These are also dentritic cells and are derived from the neural crest. They are immersed in the epidermis where they form close contact with a defined number of keratinocytes - an epidermal-melanin unit. Melanin is composed of 2 types: eumelanin which is black-brown and phaeomelanin which is reddish-brown. Melanocytes produce pigment in melanosome structures which are membrane-bound structures involved in the transfer of pigment to keratinocytes. An important function of melanin is UV protection and absence of pigment confers increased sensitivity to UV damage.
- Merkel cells
These are part of the sensory apparatus of the skin and are located within the stratum basale of the epidermis where they act as slow-adapting maechanoreceptors. They are usually closely associated with the afferent myelinated nerve fibres, arranged in a plate-like structure with the base of the Merkel cell, together forming a Merkel's corpuscle.
Dermis
The epidermis interfaces with the underlying dermis at the basement membrane zone (BMZ). The binding includes anchoring junctions called hemidesmosomes and focal adhesions. The former comprise ECM proteins such as laminin-5 and collagen type IV molecules, which form the lamina densa part of the BMZ. Collagen type VII is important in forming anchoring fibrils between the dermis and the basal lamina.
Rete ridges are epidermal projections into the dermis in areas of mechanical loading such as the nasal planum and footpads.
The dermis consists of dense fibrous tissue composed of collagen type I and III, with some elastin fibres and provides a supporting mattress for the carriage of blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, nerves and sensory receptors, hair follicles, sebaceous and sweat glands, with circulating white cells.
Glands
- Sweat Glands
Sweat is considered to be the product of apoptosis releasing cell contents into the gland lumen, together with secretion where exocytosis, microapocrine blebbing, transcellular and perhaps paracellular processes involved in varying degrees. Sweat is composed of secretions and cellular debris and includes inorganic ions, water, immunoglobulins, amino acids and waste products including urea and lactic acid. Equine sweat is rich in proteins including glycoproteins, albumin and gammaglobulins.
Sweat is degrades by bacteria leading to odour. Dogs and cats produce very little sweat and use panting to lower body temperature.
- Mammary Glands
These are greatly modified, enlarged sweat glands and are present in both male and female animals. Depending on species, they extend from the axillae to the groin, associated with teats and a complex array of sinuses and ducts. Age, pregnancy and endocrine factors have an important role in determining glandular activity.
- Sebaceous Glands
One or more sebaceous glands surround each hair follicle at a point about 1/3 of its length from the surface. Each gland is composed of numerous acini attached to a common excretory duct through which they discharge their secretions onto the hair shaft and epidermis. In the skin and eyelids such glands release the cell contents together with secretory products with holocrine secretion. This secretion involves apoptosis in which the secretory products and cell debris are released into the gland lumen. The secretory products vary from species to species and include various fatty acids, diglycerides, cholesterol, diesters, wax esters and giant-ring lactones.
The function of sebum is that of an emolient of the hair and skin, preventing excessive dryness. It may combine with sweat to form an emulsion within the stratum corneum and a form of cement around the hair pores preventing bacterial invasion of the epidermis.