The biological name for skin is integument. This term encompasses all of the outer layers of the body, including the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers. The word "integument" comes from the Latin word integumentum, meaning "covering".
The skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves many essential functions, including:
- Protection: The skin acts as a barrier against injury, infection, and harmful UV rays.
- Regulation of body temperature: The skin helps to regulate body temperature through sweating and blood flow.
- Sensation: The skin contains sensory receptors that allow us to feel touch, pressure, temperature, and pain.
- Vitamin D synthesis: The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.
The outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, is made up of stratified squamous epithelium. This means that it is composed of multiple layers of flat, scale-like cells. The epidermis forms the waterproof, protective barrier over the body's surface.
