The dermis is the thick, tough layer of connective tissue beneath the epidermis. It is made mainly of collagen and elastic fibres and holds the skin's blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, hair follicles and glands. Its upper papillary layer forms ridges that lock into the epidermis, while the deeper reticular layer gives skin its strength.
| Location | Between the epidermis and the hypodermis |
|---|---|
| Parts |
|
| Nerve Supply | Cutaneous branches of the spinal and cranial nerves (sensory); Postganglionic sympathetic fibres (blood vessels, sweat glands, arrector pili) |
| Blood Supply | Direct cutaneous arteries; Musculocutaneous and fasciocutaneous perforator arteries; Subdermal and subpapillary arterial plexuses |
| Venous drainage |
|
| Lymphatic drainage |
|
Gives skin its strength and elasticity, nourishes the epidermis, and houses the vessels, nerves and glands that regulate temperature and sensation.
Wounds that reach the dermis bleed and heal with a scar; how deep into the dermis a burn goes determines whether it will heal by itself. The direction of collagen fibres creates skin tension lines (Langer lines), and incisions placed along them heal with neater scars. Loss of collagen and elastin with age and sun exposure causes wrinkles and thin, fragile skin. Stretch marks are tears in the dermis.
Linear scars from stretching and tearing of dermal fibres during growth, pregnancy or steroid excess.
A spreading bacterial infection of the dermis and subcutaneous tissue causing red, hot, swollen, painful skin.
An overgrowth of dermal scar tissue extending beyond the original wound.
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