Physiological functions of the skin

1. Sensory

• Tactile: mechanoreceptors
• Thermal: thermoreceptors

2. Mechanical injury protection

• nails

3. Vit D₃ synthesis

4. Radiation injury prevention

• Physical: barrier for α-radiation
• Chemical: melanin for UV radiation

5. Thermoregulation

• hair
• perspiration
• vascular involvement

6. Antimicrobial properties

• sebum from sebaceous glands

7. Fluid loss prevention

8. Physical barrier

• Physical: keratin filaments
• Immunological: Langerhans cells in epidermis and macrophages and mast cells in dermis