1300 PHYSIOLOGY 



tive tissue, which becomes more open in texture in its deeper part, 

 where it merges into the subcutaneous connective tissue. The most 

 superficial layer of the corium is prolonged into minute papillae over 

 which the epidermis is moulded. These papillae contain for the most 

 part capillary vessels ; a few contain touch corpuscles, special organs 

 of tactile sensation. The blood-vessels of the skin form a close capillary 

 network immediately at the surface of the cutis, sending up loops 

 into the papillae. All parts of the skin, except the palms of the hands 



Stratum 

 corneum 



Stratum 

 lucidum 



Stratum 

 \ granulosuni 





Rete 

 mucosum 



Cutis vera 



FIG. 540. Vertical section through the skin of the palmar side of the finger, show- 

 ing two papillae (one of which contains a tactile corpuscle) and the deeper 

 layer of the epidermis. Magnified about 200 diameters. (Schafer). 



and the soles of the feet, are beset with hair-follicles. The hair- 

 follicles are small pits which extend downwards into the deeper part 

 of the corium, being down-growths of the rete mucosum. The hair 

 grows from a small papilla of cells at the bottom of the follicle, the 

 part of the hair lying within the follicle being known as the hair-root. 

 The hair itself consists of long tapering, horny cells, the nuclei of 

 which are still visible, though the cell substance has been almost 

 entirely converted into keratin. 



In order to keep the cuticle supple and preserve it from the drying 



