Which skin layer is a dense connective tissue layer that gives skin most of its thickness and support and is derived from embryonic mesoderm?

Study for your anatomy test with Netter's Anatomy Practice Test. Utilize questions and illustrated guides to master human anatomy and ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which skin layer is a dense connective tissue layer that gives skin most of its thickness and support and is derived from embryonic mesoderm?

Explanation:
Think about how skin is organized and where its different tissues come from. The thick, supportive layer of the skin is the dermis, a dense irregular connective tissue rich in collagen and elastic fibers with fibroblasts, blood vessels, and nerves. This layer gives skin most of its thickness and strength, especially in the deeper reticular portion. The dermis originates from mesoderm during development (via the mesenchymal cells that form connective tissue). In contrast, the outermost layer, the epidermis, is made of keratinized epithelial cells derived from ectoderm. The terms stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum are layers within the epidermis, not the dermal layer. So the dense connective tissue layer that provides thickness and support, derived from mesoderm, is the dermis.

Think about how skin is organized and where its different tissues come from. The thick, supportive layer of the skin is the dermis, a dense irregular connective tissue rich in collagen and elastic fibers with fibroblasts, blood vessels, and nerves. This layer gives skin most of its thickness and strength, especially in the deeper reticular portion.

The dermis originates from mesoderm during development (via the mesenchymal cells that form connective tissue). In contrast, the outermost layer, the epidermis, is made of keratinized epithelial cells derived from ectoderm. The terms stratum granulosum and stratum spinosum are layers within the epidermis, not the dermal layer.

So the dense connective tissue layer that provides thickness and support, derived from mesoderm, is the dermis.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy