The effect of aging on normal physiology of the skin
Normal Physiology of the Skin
The skin being the largest human organ, it forms a significant component of the integumentary system. The composition of the human skin varies in thickness relating to the function and area of body (McLafferty et al., 2012). The skin consists of an integral system of sweat glands that are specifically sensitive to the outer environmental changes such as temperature alterations (McLafferty et al., 2012). The skin further consists of multiple cells that react to pressure, itching, touch, and pain, while other functions include thermoregulation, vitamin D synthesis, and general protection. Thus the skin is a protective barrier for internal organs, and provides for the suitable conditions to operate their functions at optimal levels (McLafferty et al., 2012).
The is made of two layers namely the dermis and epidermis, the later consists of several layers such as the deepest layer referred to as stratum basale , the prickle cell layer, the granular layer, the stratum granulosum layer, and the stratum spinosum layer (McLafferty et al., 2012). Others are the stratum that makes up the palms, soles, and finger tips, the stratum corneum which makes up the top layer and depicts various levels of cell maturation and how they age from stratum basale to their full growth as startum corneum. The epidermis role therefore, is concerned with body fluid and electrolyte balance that helps in maintaining skin elasticity by helping in holding water (McLafferty et al., 2012). The epidermis is manly made of four types of cells known as the melanocytes cells, merkel cells, keratinocytes cells, and langerhans cells. About 90% of the cells consists of Keratinocytes and are mainly found towards the skin’s surface, and are mainly made up of stratified keratinized squamous layers. The melanocytes are mainly responsible for skin pigmentation and makes approximately 8% of the epidermal cells, while the langerhans cells responds to the immune system. The merkel cells on the other hand, are responsible for sensation to touch (McLafferty et al., 2012).
(I.C. RS 3396)