Hypodermis
Encyclopedia
The hypodermis, also called the hypoderm, subcutaneous tissue, or superficial fascia is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system
in vertebrate
s. (Hypoderm and subcutaneous are from Greek and Latin words, respectively, for "beneath the skin.")Types of cells that are found in the hypodermis are fibroblast
s, adipose cells, and macrophage
s. It 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 chitin
ous cuticle
. The term also refers to a layer of cells lying immediately below the epidermis
of plants.
This cell is also used to supervise the outer skin from burns and other such articulates.
The hypodermis 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.
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.
According to the eighth edition of Developmental Biology by Scott F. Gilbert, the hypodermis of C. elegans
is derived from ectoderm.
Subcutaneous fat is found just beneath the skin as opposed to visceral fat which is found in the peritoneal cavity
. Subcutaneous fat can be measured using body fat caliper
s giving a rough estimate of total body adiposity. This fat aids in the process of homeostasis
, by forming a layer of insulation to slow heat loss.
as the result of adaptation to aquatic environments, as a means of streamlining and insulation. Others have pointed out in response that the subcutaneous fat distribution in humans is more similar to a domesticated animal than an aquatic one, and is nearly identical to that of other primates. The subcutaneous fat of aquatic mammals and humans also seems to serve different uses - it forms the streamlined shape of seals, while in humans it is used for sexual selection
; humans display considerable sexual dimorphism
in their fat distribution, which is not explained by the aquatic ape hypothesis
.
used for, for example, insulin
. Skin popping
is a slang term that includes this method of administration, and is usually used in association with recreational drugs.
Integumentary system
The integumentary system is the organ system that protects the body from damage, comprising the skin and its appendages...
in vertebrate
Vertebrate
Vertebrates are animals that are members of the subphylum Vertebrata . Vertebrates are the largest group of chordates, with currently about 58,000 species described. Vertebrates include the jawless fishes, bony fishes, sharks and rays, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds...
s. (Hypoderm and subcutaneous are from Greek and Latin words, respectively, for "beneath the skin.")Types of cells that are found in the hypodermis are fibroblast
Fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing...
s, adipose cells, and macrophage
Macrophage
Macrophages are cells produced by the differentiation of monocytes in tissues. Human macrophages are about in diameter. Monocytes and macrophages are phagocytes. Macrophages function in both non-specific defense as well as help initiate specific defense mechanisms of vertebrate animals...
s. It is derived from the mesoderm, but unlike the dermis
Dermis
The dermis is a layer of skin between the epidermis and subcutaneous tissues, and is composed of two layers, the papillary and reticular 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 chitin
Chitin
Chitin n is a long-chain polymer of a N-acetylglucosamine, a derivative of glucose, and is found in many places throughout the natural world...
ous cuticle
Cuticle
A cuticle , or cuticula, is a term used for any of a variety of tough but flexible, non-mineral outer coverings of an organism, or parts of an organism, that provide protection. Various types of "cuticles" are non-homologous; differing in their origin, structure, function, and chemical composition...
. The term also refers to a layer of cells lying immediately below the epidermis
Epidermis (botany)
The epidermis is a single-layered group of cells that covers plants' leaves, flowers, roots and stems. It forms a boundary between the plant and the external environment. The epidermis serves several functions, it protects against water loss, regulates gas exchange, secretes metabolic compounds,...
of plants.
This cell is also used to supervise the outer skin from burns and other such articulates.
The hypodermis is used mainly for fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
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.
Contents
Specifically, the hypodermis contains:- Fibrous bands anchoring the skin to the deep fascia
- Fat, except in the eyelid, scrotum, penis, nipple and areola
- Blood vessels on route to the dermis
- Lymphatic vessels on route from dermis
- Hair follicle roots
- The glandular part of some sudiferous glands
- Nerves: free endings and Pacinian corpuscles
- Bursae, in the space overlying joints in order to facilitate smooth passage of overlying skin
- Fine, flat sheets of muscle, in certain locations, including the scalp, face, hand, nipple, and scrotum, called the panniculus carnosus
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.
According to the eighth edition of Developmental Biology by Scott F. Gilbert, the hypodermis of C. elegans
Caenorhabditis elegans
Caenorhabditis elegans is a free-living, transparent nematode , about 1 mm in length, which lives in temperate soil environments. Research into the molecular and developmental biology of C. elegans was begun in 1974 by Sydney Brenner and it has since been used extensively as a model...
is derived from ectoderm.
Subcutaneous fat
Peritoneal cavity
The peritoneal cavity is a potential space between the parietal peritoneum and visceral peritoneum, that is, the two membranes that separate the organs in the abdominal cavity from the abdominal wall...
. Subcutaneous fat can be measured using body fat caliper
Caliper
A caliper is a device used to measure the distance between two opposing sides of an object. A caliper can be as simple as a compass with inward or outward-facing points...
s giving a rough estimate of total body adiposity. This fat aids in the process of homeostasis
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the property of a system that regulates its internal environment and tends to maintain a stable, constant condition of properties like temperature or pH...
, by forming a layer of insulation to slow heat loss.
Hypothetical function during human evolution
Body fat is cited within the aquatic ape hypothesisAquatic ape hypothesis
The aquatic ape hypothesis is an alternative explanation of some characteristics of human evolution which hypothesizes that the common ancestors of modern humans spent a period of time adapting to life in a partially aquatic environment. The hypothesis is based on differences between humans and...
as the result of adaptation to aquatic environments, as a means of streamlining and insulation. Others have pointed out in response that the subcutaneous fat distribution in humans is more similar to a domesticated animal than an aquatic one, and is nearly identical to that of other primates. The subcutaneous fat of aquatic mammals and humans also seems to serve different uses - it forms the streamlined shape of seals, while in humans it is used for sexual selection
Sexual selection
Sexual selection, a concept introduced by Charles Darwin in his 1859 book On the Origin of Species, is a significant element of his theory of natural selection...
; humans display considerable sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
in their fat distribution, which is not explained by the aquatic ape hypothesis
Aquatic ape hypothesis
The aquatic ape hypothesis is an alternative explanation of some characteristics of human evolution which hypothesizes that the common ancestors of modern humans spent a period of time adapting to life in a partially aquatic environment. The hypothesis is based on differences between humans and...
.
Injection
Injection into the subcutaneous tissue is a route of administrationRoute of administration
A route of administration in pharmacology and toxicology is the path by which a drug, fluid, poison, or other substance is taken into the body.-Classification:Routes of administration are usually classified by application location...
used for, for example, insulin
Insulin
Insulin is a hormone central to regulating carbohydrate and fat metabolism in the body. Insulin causes cells in the liver, muscle, and fat tissue to take up glucose from the blood, storing it as glycogen in the liver and muscle....
. Skin popping
Skin popping
Skin popping is a method of administration for the use of drugs by injecting or placing the substance or drug under the skin. It can include subcutaneous placement or intradermal placement though is also rarely used to mean intramuscular injection. It is however as a term distinct from the meaning...
is a slang term that includes this method of administration, and is usually used in association with recreational drugs.