Skin Endocrine Function - Anatomy & Physiology

Hormones have a large effect on the skin, details of which can be found at Endocrine & Nutritional Influences on the Skin. As a result Endocrine associated skin pathology is relatively common.

The skin is also a producer of Vitamin D., the precursor of the hormone Calcitriol. Ultraviolet light at a wavelength of 300nm is required to convert 7-dehydrocholesterol to Vitamin D.

Whilst this is a key source of the vitamin in humans, as many animal species have hair covered skin, Vitamin D from this region is usually minimal, with dietary sources being much more important.

Vitamin D is then hydroxylated into it's active form, Calcitriol in the kidney.