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Skin layers

Human skin is a large organ, weighing an average of 4kg and covering an area of two square meters.^[1]. The major function of the skin is to act as a barrier against an inhospitable environment.^[1]

[edit] Components

According to some sources, the skin has four general components, the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and appendages.^[2] Other sources define the skin as the epidermis and dermis only.^[3][4] The MeSH classification from the NIH uses the latter approach.^[5][6]

With regard to the term "integumentary system," some consider it synonymous with the word "skin."^{[7][nb 1]} However, other sources, such as Stedman's medical dictionary, define "integument" as the skin plus the hair, nails, and glands.^[8]

[edit] Skin disease

There are many skin diseases, and dermatology is the branch of medicine dealing with those diseases.^[7].

[edit] See also

• Human skin color

[edit] Footnotes

1. ^ With regard to this sentence, the definition of "integumet", being defined as "something that covers or encloses; especially: an enveloping layer such as skin..." (see Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary reference), is defined as either "skin" or something else that "covers or encloses." In medicine, the "integumentary system" is used to refer to the skin; therefore, the two terms could be considered synonymous.

[edit] References