Skin

Skin. The skin consists of a vascular layer called the corium, or true skin, and of the epidermis (q.v.). The corium presents innumerable raised conical elevations, known as papillae, Which contain the various nerve terminations concerned with the sense of touch. The skin also contains glands, and these are of two kinds: the sudoriferous or sweat glands, and the sebaceous glands. The skin is, moreover, beset with hair follicles, which attain a remarkable development in certain parts, more particularly in the hairy scalp, and it is in connection with hairs that the sebaceous glands for the most part occur. In certain parts the structure of the skin is modified, notably so in the nails of the fingers and toes. The skin serves to protect internal parts from injury; it is the organ concerned with tactile sensation, and is, moreover, an excretory organ. [SWEAT.] The skin undoubtedly possesses the power of absorbing substances which are rubbed into it and the action of certain drugs upon the system is brought about sometimes by the method of inunction. There has been some difference of opinion as to the extent to which liquids brought in contact with the body are absorbed by the skin; such absorption probably occurs, though it is much less marked in man than in some of the lower animals. Finally it may be noted that the skin plays an important pmt in the regulation of the temperature of the body.