Subcutaneous tissue

Subcutaneous tissue

The hypodermis is the lower layer of skin shown in the diagram above
Details
System integumentary
Artery Posterior intercostal arteries[1]:602
Identifiers
Latin tela subcutanea[2]
MeSH A10.165.887
Code TH H3.12.00.2.00001
TA A16.0.03.001
FMA 9630

Anatomical terminology

The subcutaneous tissue (from Latin subcutaneous, meaning "beneath the skin"), also called the hypodermis, hypoderm (from Greek, meaning "beneath the skin"), subcutis, or superficial fascia, is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates.[3] The types of cells found in the hypodermis are fibroblasts, adipose cells, and macrophages. The hypodermis is derived from the mesoderm, but unlike the dermis, it is not derived from the dermatome region of the mesoderm. In arthropods, the hypodermis is an epidermal layer of cells that secretes the chitinous cuticle. The term also refers to a layer of cells lying immediately below the epidermis of plants.

The hypodermis is beneath dermis which is beneath epidermis. It is used mainly for fat storage.

A layer of tissue lies immediately below the dermis of vertebrate skin. It is often referred to as subcutaneous tissue though this is a less precise and anatomically inaccurate term. The hypodermis consists primarily of loose connective tissue and lobules of fat. It contains larger blood vessels and nerves than those found in the dermis.

Composition

Subcutaneous tissue consists of:

In some animals, such as whales and hibernating mammals, the hypodermis forms an important insulating layer and/or food store.

In some plants, the hypodermis is a layer of cells immediately below the epidermis of leaves. It is often mechanically strengthened, for example, in pine leaves, forming an extra protective layer or a water storage tissue.

Subcutaneous fat

Subcutaneous fat is the layer of subcutaneous tissue that is most widely distributed.[2] It is composed of adipocytes, which are grouped together in lobules separated by connective tissue.[5] The number of adipocytes varies among different areas of the body, while their size varies according to the body's nutritional state.[11] It acts as padding and as an energy reserve, as well as providing some minor thermoregulation via insulation.[1][5] Subcutaneous fat is found just beneath the skin, as opposed to visceral fat, which is found in the peritoneal cavity,[12] and can be measured using body fat calipers to give a rough estimate of total body adiposity.[13] It is thickest in the buttocks, palms, and soles. [14]

Injection

Injection into the subcutaneous tissue is a route of administration used for drugs such as insulin: because it is highly vascular, the tissue absorbs drugs quickly.[1]:135 Subcutaneous injection is believed to be the most effective manner to administer some drugs, such as human growth hormones. Just as the subcutaneous tissue can store fat, it can also provide good storage space for drugs that need to be released gradually because there is limited blood flow. "Skin popping" is a slang term that includes this method of administration, and is usually used in association with recreational drugs.

Pathology

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Kenneth, Saladin (2007). Human Anatomy. Rex Bookstore, Inc. pp. 135, 478, 602. ISBN 0071259716.
  2. 1 2 3 "The Integument". Terminologia Anatomica. 1998.
  3. ↑ Mosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary (4th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby. 1994. pp. 998, 774, 1497. ISBN 978-0801672255.
  4. ↑ Mcminn (October 2003). Lasts Anatomy Regional and Applied. Elsevier Australia. p. 3. ISBN 0729537528.
  5. 1 2 3 "The hypodermis". An Organ Revealed. L'Oréal. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  6. ↑ Tamarkin, Dawn A. "Unit 4: Skin & Bone Structure". Sprinfield Technical Community College. Retrieved 8 June 2013.
  7. 1 2 O'Rahilly, Ronan; Müller, Fabiola; Carpenter, Stanley; Swenson, Rand; Dartmouth Medical School. "Chapter 4: The skin, hair and nails". Basic Human Anatomy: A Regional Study of Human Structure. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  8. ↑ Fischer, Josef E.; Bland, Kirby I.; Callery, Mark P. (18 December 2006). Mastery of Surgery. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 482. ISBN 078177165X.
  9. ↑ Krstic, Radivoj V. (18 March 2004). Human Microscopic Anatomy: An Atlas for Students of Medicine and Biology. Springer. p. 466. ISBN 9783540536666.
  10. ↑ Goldsmith, Lowell A.; Katz, Stephen I.; Gilchrest, Barbara A.; Paller, Amy S.; Leffell, David J.; Wolff, Klaus. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (8 ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 64. ISBN 978-0071669047.
  11. ↑ "Subcutaneous Tissue". Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). National Library of Medicine. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  12. ↑ "Abdominal fat and what to do about it". Harvard Health Publications. Harvard Medical School. 2006. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  13. ↑ Orphanidou, C; McCargar, L; Birmingham, C; Mathieson, J; Goldner, E (August 1994). "Accuracy of subcutaneous fat measurement: comparison of skinfold calipers, ultrasound, and computed tomography". Journal of the American Dietetic Association 94 (8): 855–858. doi:10.1016/0002-8223(94)92363-9. ISSN 0002-8223.
  14. ↑ Farris, Patricia K. "Skin Anatomy and Physiology". Nu Skin. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
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