The skin is the body's largest organ and performs many vital functions.
Skin is the body's largest organ and, along with hair, nails, and skin-associated nerves and glands, is part of the integumentary system, according to the National Library of Medicine .
EpidermisThe epidermis is the top, visible layer of skin. It is further divided into four layers: the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. The thick skin on the palms and soles of the feet has an additional layer, called the stratum lucidum, according to the NLM. HypodermisThe hypodermis, also called subcutaneous fat, is the deepest layer of skin. This layer is made up mostly of fatty tissue, which helps to insulate the body from heat and cold; cushion internal organs, muscle and bones; and protect the body from injuries, according to the NLM.
The organization of fats in the superficial layers of the skin may also contribute to its waterproof properties, according to a 2012 study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology . The study authors looked at samples of skin scrapings and found fatty structures"that had not previously been described in a biological system." They not only appear to make skin resistant to water but also enable the skin to bend, the study authors noted.
Why does skin tan?Tanning is the skin's response to ultraviolet radiation. When skin is exposed to UV rays, it produces more melanin pigments. Melanin is the first line of defense against sun — it absorbs the UV rays and prevents them from damaging the skin. When the amount of UV light exceeds the amount of protection melanin can provide, the radiation may lead to sunburn, premature skin aging, cataracts and even cancers, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine .
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