Dermis

The dermis is an important component of skin. The skin is also known as the "integument", or "integumentary system".

The dermis may also be referred to as the “corium” and is the thick layer of living tissue located behind beneath the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin). The dermis consists mainly of many loose connective tissues including:

• blood capillaries
• hair follicles
• sebaceous glands
• sensory nerve endings
• and other structures.

The word 'dermis' contracted to its stem derm- also forms the stem of many terms used to refer to matters associated with skin, for example:

• dermal - an adjective, e.g. as in the dermal root sheath (of a hair follicle)
• dermatitis - a skin condition - inflammation of the skin, which can involve itching, weeping and crusting
• dermatochalasis - excessive eyelid skin
• dermatology - the medical specialty concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the skin

To view the location of the dermis layer relative to the other key components of the skin see the diagram of the structure of the skin. This may be of particular interest to students of courses in massage, reflexology, beauty therapies, and other health science or clinical courses.