Page 475 - Atlas of Histology with Functional Correlations

SECTION 1 Thin Skin

Most surfaces of the body that are not exposed to increased abrasion and wear

and tear are covered by thin skin (Fig. 12.1). In these regions, the epidermis is
thinner, and its cellular composition is simpler than that of thick skin. Present in
thin skin are hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and different types of sweat
glands (apocrine and eccrine). Attached to the connective tissue sheath of hair
follicles and the connective tissue of the dermis are smooth muscle fibers, called

arrector pili. Associated with the hair follicles are numerous sebaceous glands.
Thus, the terms “thick skin” and “thin skin” refer only to the thickness of the
epidermis and do not include the layers below it, which can vary in thickness,

depending on the location in the body.

FIGURE 12.1 ■ Contents of the connective tissue dermis of the thin skin of the

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