Why Is Skin An Organ.Is the skin a tissue or an organ? The skin, despite its appearance, is an organ, not a tissue as many think. It consists of two main layers, the epidermis and the dermis, which, in turn, are formed by different tissues. Therefore, the skin is an organ because it is formed by more than one tissue.
It is worth mentioning that the skin has a very impressive characteristic: it is the most extensive organ in our body. Studies reveal that 15% of all our body weight comes from the skin. In adults, this organ can weigh up to 10 kilograms.The skin consists of two basic layers: the epidermis and the dermis
The skin has multiple functions, being of vital importance for our survival. Among the main functions attributed to it, we can mention the protection of our organism, perception of stimuli , elimination of some products of our metabolism and the control of temperature by releasing the sweat produced by the sweat glands.
Why Is Skin An Organ
The skin is a regulatory organ . We owe it to her that the body temperature of a healthy person remains constant at about 37 degrees, regardless of the ambient temperature. Through the nervous system, it regulates the exchange of heat between the body and the external environment.
The skin is the respiratory organ . Its respiratory function is to exchange gases. Approximately 2% of the carbon dioxide released by the lungs per day is released through the skin, and about 1% of all inhaled oxygen is absorbed. In addition, the skin removes up to 800 g of water vapor per day, exceeding the work of the lungs in this respect by more than two times.
The skin is a sensitive organ. In place of eyes, ears, mouth and nose, the skin belongs to the five senses. She notifies us with lightning speed about the hot, the prickly and the spicy. The skin owes its incredible sensitivity to tiny tactile bodies – receptors for pressure, cold and heat, free nerve fibers and other sensors in connective tissue. They are directly connected via neural pathways to the brain and spinal cord. There, the information delivered is evaluated and converted into sensations and, if necessary, into actions.
The skin is a synthesizing organ, a “chemical laboratory”. When exposed to sunlight, it synthesizes vitamin D, which is responsible for the sufficient presence of calcium in the body. Also, with the help of enzymes (enzymes), the skin is able to activate the appropriate hormones (for example, cortisone in the skin turns into an even more effective substance – hydrocortisone).
The skin is an immunological organ. It produces a hormone-like substance that mobilizes the body’s defenses.
Our body functions as a single system. The diverse functions of the skin determine its important role in its life. The skin protects us not only as a passive shell, but also actively takes care of our health. Our skin, as the most sensitive barometer, reflects both health and ill health. Insufficient nutrition (dictated, for example, by the desire to lose weight), uncontrolled intake of medications and food additives, excessive washing with the use of cleansing agents lead to the development of diseases, which inevitably worsens the condition of the skin – it causes peeling, irritation, dryness, etc. And vice versa – the correct mode of work and rest, good and regular nutrition, sports support good health and have a beneficial effect on the appearance of a person.
Functions of the skin
The skin performs these functions:
- protective
- of thermoregulation
- sensory
- respiratory
- secretive
- defensive
- reproductive
The skin acts as a protective barrier against mechanical stimuli of various kinds, such as trauma, pressure, friction or blows. This property is due to the elasticity of the collagen and elastic fibers and to the state of turgidity of the fabric.In the skin areas more subjected to mechanical stimuli, in contact or rubbing, there is a thickening of the stratum corneum (callosity).Another example of a protective function is that which occurs against chemical agents.
It is attributable to the buffering capacity of the skin. Protection against solar radiation is entrusted to melanin and to an acid contained in sweat, urocanic acid.
