Page 27 - The Miracle in the Immune System

Melanin

Dead cell layer
Sweat Melanocyte
pore
Epidermis
Living cell layer
Duct Sweat
duct
Dermis
Sebum
Subcutaneous
fat
Artery Hair follicle
Sweat
gland
Vein
Nerve
Sweat
Muscle

Bacteria
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A AN IN-DEPTH VIEW
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F
O OF THE SKIN
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Above is a cross-section of the
skin. The sweat droplets secreted
from the skin play a variety of
roles in the body. In addition
bringing down the body tempera-
ture, they provide nutrition for
certain bacteria and fungi living
on the surface of the skin, and
produce acidic waste materials
such as lactic acid which helps
decrease the PH level of the skin.
This acidic medium on the skin
surface creates a hostile environ-
ment for any harmful bacteria that
are looking for a place to live.
At the left is a close-up of the
sweat gland entrance. Here, too,
you will find bacteria just like
everywhere else on the skin.