Skin
hideThe skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system made up of multiple layers of mesodermal tissues, and guards the underlying muscles, bones, ligaments and internal organs. Skin of a different nature exists in amphibians, reptiles, birds. Human skin is not unlike that of most other mammals except that it is not protected by a pelt and appears hairless though in fact nearly all human skin is covered with hair follicles. The adjective cutaneous literally means "of the skin" (from Latin cutis, skin).
Because it interfaces with the environment, skin plays a key role in protecting (the body) against pathogens and excessive water loss. Its other functions are insulation, temperature regulation, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and the protection of vitamin B folates. Severely damaged skin will try to heal by forming scar tissue. This is often discolored and depigmented.
In humans, skin pigmentation varies among populations, and skin type can range from dry to oily. Such skin variety provides a rich and diverse habit for bacteria which number roughly a 1000 species from 19 phyla.
For more information about Skin, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.
News tagged with skin
Researchers identify new stem cell
Dec 07, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- The skin is known for its ability to regenerate because the cells in the skin are constantly turning over. This "healing property" has attracted much attention from scientists wanting to know what makes the ...
Researchers finds hidden sensory system in the skin
18 hours ago |
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Researchers report that the human body has an entirely unique and separate sensory system aside from the nerves that give most of us the ability to touch and feel. Surprisingly, this sensory network is located throughout ...
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Merkel cells revealed as secret behind sensation of light touch
11 hours ago |
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Scientists have proved experimentally what has been suspected since the discovery of Merkel cells in the skin over a century ago: the sense of light touch that is critical for hand dexterity would not be possible without ...
New guidelines for treating complicated skin and soft tissue infections
Dec 02, 2009 |
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New evidence-based recommendations developed by the Surgical Infection Society to guide physicians in the diagnosis and management of complicated skin and soft tissue infections have been published in Surgical Infections.
Vitamin D levels associated with survival in lymphoma patients
Dec 05, 2009 |
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A new study has found that the amount of vitamin D in patients being treated for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was strongly associated with cancer progression and overall survival. The results will be presented at the annual ...
Discovery opens new avenues for treating devastating freshwater fish parasite, 'Ich'
Dec 02, 2009 |
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Researchers from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine have made an "unexpected" dual discovery that could open new avenues for treating Ichthyophthirius multifiliis, or "Ich", a devastating ...
Chicken pox vaccine reduces shingles risk in kids -- study of 172,000 kids used EHRs
Dec 04, 2009 |
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Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is very rare among children who have been vaccinated against chicken pox, according to a Kaiser Permanente study in the December issue of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal.
In cancer-ridden rats, loneliness can kill
Dec 07, 2009 |
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Socially isolated female rats develop more tumors -- and tumors of a more deadly type -- than rats living in a social group, according to researchers at Yale University and the University of Chicago.
Vitamin E extract could help tackle cancer tumours
Dec 03, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- An extract of vitamin E could have a key role to play in the treatment of cancerous tumours, according to newly-published research today.
Outpatient disc treatment gives long-term back pain relief
Dec 02, 2009 |
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A randomized, controlled study comparing standard conservative therapy to a minimally invasive treatment called percutaneous disc decompression for painful herniated disc revealed that while both treatments help patients ...
Papillomavirus silences innate immune response
Dec 03, 2009 |
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In the 1980s, Harald zur Hausen and his co-workers discovered that specific types of human papillomavirus (HPV) cause cervical cancer. Scientists soon found out how these pathogens cause cells to degenerate. ...
Cholesterol-lowering drugs also may protect stem cell transplant patients from GVHD
Dec 04, 2009 |
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Cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins are among the most prescribed medicines in the U.S. Now a new study by researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center indicates that statins may protect stem cell transplant ...
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