Skin

 Skin is the largest organ of body which covers body surfaces.

Function

• Provide protection from any harmful agents entering body
• Repair itself after injury
• Regulate body temperature
• Help in synthesis of vitamin D
• Acts as temporary storing of fat, glucose, salts, etc

 

Sebaceous gland

• Gland of skin which secrets sebum onto hair follicle.
• Present all over skin except at soles and palms.

Functions

• Waxy substance sebum lubricates the hair and skin
• Acts as barrier to harmful microorganisms
• Acts as transporter of vitamin E
• Thermoregulation

Sweat glands

 

• Gland of skin which are small coiled like structure which secrets sweat
• Present in dermis region

Types of sweat glands

a. Eccrine sweat glands

• These are very numerous
• Found all over the body surface
• Mostly present on soles and palms
• Ducts open on skin surface

 

b. Apocrine sweat gland

• Larger than eccrine
• Found in armpits and perianal parts
• Ducts open into hair follicle
• Sweat can’t evaporate as eccrine so foul body color appears in that region.

Functions

• Secrets viscous and odorous substance called sweat
• Control body temperature
• Provide protection against pathogens
• Excretion of electrolytes and water