The skin

The skin

The skin is an important physiological organ and, since it forms the coveringof the body, often reveals (together with the subcutaneous structures)evidence of great medico-legal importance.

The skin is continous at the orifices on its surface with the mucous lining of themouth, nose, anus, vagina and urethra. It contains sensory nerve endings and isthe main element in the control of body temperature. Its superficial layers aremodified to form such appendages as the hair and nails. Its colour is determinedby pigment-forming cells in the epidermis, one of the layers of the skin.