Main functions of the skin
The skin is the largest, largest and longest organ of our body. It can reach up to 2 square meters of skin and a thickness between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, depending on the place of the body. For example, it is thicker on the heels and finer on the eyelids, and tends to weigh around 5 kg. Provides a protection without any doubt very effective against the invasion of bacteria and the entrance to our body of foreign substances. It is divided into three layers that go from the surface to the depth.
On the one hand we find the epidermis, which is the upper or outermost layer of the skin, constituted by epithelial tissue and closely related to the protective function of the skin. In fact, it is the most effective barrier against the penetration of environmental factors and the loss of water. These fungi or microbes can not penetrate the body unless there is a break in the skin barrier.
The dermis is formed by connective tissue and supports the different cutaneous attachments and blood vessels, and under this layer we find the subcutaneous fat that helps to isolate us thermally against the cold. Finally we find the hypodermis (or subcutaneous tissue), very rich in fatty tissue; having a soft texture also acts as a protection for the different organs of our body below.
What is the skin for?
Favors immunity
Certain cells of our skin work directly with our immune system, with the aim of prevent bacteria, viruses and other foreign bodies from entering our body and affecting us negatively. In this sense, cells such as langerhans, phagocytic and epidermal dendritic cells stand out.
Therefore, it could be said that within this function of protection, the skin prevents foreign and infectious substances from entering our body and therefore we become ill.
Protective function
One of the main functions of the skin is to protect the inside of our body, protecting internal tissues, organs and bones, preventing them from being exposed to the outside world (microbes, bacteria, chemical substances, insect aggressions ...).
It acts, for example, as an effective protection against bacterial invasion, physical traumas and blows and also against UVA damage.
High sensitivity
The skin is tremendously sensitive, which allows you to instantly feel the different changes that occur outside both temperature and pressure. This is thanks to the different nerve endings present in our body, which react to the sensations that the skin collects.
In turn, these sensations alert our brain of everything when it is perceiving around us, being able to react more easily to touch, caresses, heat, cold and pain.
It helps regulate our body temperature
Sweat is released through the sweat glands when our body gets warm, which helps in a positive way when it comes to lowering the temperature. On the other hand, when we are cold the small blood vessels present in the skin fill with blood, helping the temperature of our body to increase.
This means that the increase or decrease of the temperature of our body will ultimately depend on the temperature and climatic conditions that in turn exist abroad.
Endocrine function
The skin is able to absorb the vitamin D obtained through the sun's rays, transforming it in such a way that our organism can use it effectively, helping to synthesize it.
Excretory function
Our body accumulates certain waste substances and toxins that you obviously do not need. They are usually produced and accumulated waste. These residues can be excreted through the skin, which helps its elimination. This is the case of uric acid, ammonia and urea.
