The Skin

Also known as the integument, the skin is the largest organ of the body and has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and beneath those the subcutaneous layer. The average person’s skin covers about 1.6 square metres and is the largest organ in the body. 2.5 centimetres of skin contains millions of cells and hundreds of nerve endings, plus muscles, blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands and oil glands.

The inside layer of the skin is called the dermis. Above it lies the outer layer called the epidermis (“upon the dermis”). Derm means “skin” and it forms the basis of many medical terms relating to the skin, eg dermatologist (a doctor who treats problems of the skin, hair and nails).