CHAPTER XIII 

 THE SKIN" 



THE skin contains a layer of dense connective tissue, the 

 corium or derma (derma vera, cutis vera), which corresponds to 

 the tunica propria of the mucous membranes, and is everywhere 

 covered by a layer of stratified squamous epithelium, the epi- 

 dermis (cuticle). The corium contains the nerves and the nerve 

 end organs of special sense, and rests upon a subcutaneous layer 

 of areolar and adipose connective tissue which firmly unites the 

 skin to the underlying organs and tissues. 



The skin is typically a stratified organ, and for convenience of 

 description may be divided into the following layers : 



' 1. Scaly layer. "1 



2. Flattened cell layer. I 



3. Eleidin containing | 

 I. Epidermis. { layer. 



4. Granular layer. "] Malpighian 



5. Prickle cell layer. or "mu- 



6. Cylindrical cell layer. J cous" layer. 

 II Derma. \ L Papillary layer. 



( 2. Reticular layer. 

 III. Subcutaneous tissue. 



THE EPIDERMIS 



The epidermis (cuticle) serves for the protection of the more 

 sensitive corium or " true skin." It is formed by a dense layer of 

 stratified epithelium and varies in thickness in different portions 

 of the body, being thickest upon those surfaces which are exposed 

 to the greatest mechanical violence, e. g., the palms of the hands 

 ami Holes of the feet; and thinnest in the least exposed portions, 

 e. g., inner sides of the arms and the back. 



197 



SKIN. 



