Covering of the body (skin). Human skin consists of three primary layers: epidermis, dermis, and subdermis. It is comprised of a complex set of organs that provide protective and sense functions. Skin protects the body from environmental threats such as temperature, chemical, mechanical and infectious agents by acting as a selective barrier. Skin can aid in the removal of substances like water and solutes from the bloodstream through the sweat glands. From a sensory standpoint, skin houses various receptors to provide afferent information related to touch, pain and temperature See: Handler, Nelson, Krapohl & Honts (2010).
