EpidermisThe outer layer of the skin, made of closely packed epithelial cells.
DermisDense, irregular connective tissue under the epidermis. It holds blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands and more.
HypodermisThe layer beneath the dermis, mostly loose connective tissue and fat.
Papillary layerThe loose top layer of the dermis. It pushes up into the epidermis as dermal papillae and holds small blood vessels and touch receptors.
Hair shaftThe part of the hair not anchored in the follicle. Much of it is above the skin.
Hair follicleAn ingrowth of the epidermis down into the dermis. The hair grows in it. It can reach the hypodermis.
Sebaceous glandAn oil gland, usually opening into a hair follicle. It releases sebum, which keeps the skin and hair supple and waterproof.
Sweat gland (eccrine)A coiled gland deep in the dermis. Its duct rises to a pore. Its watery sweat cools the body.
Layers: 5 2
Stratum corneumThe outermost layer of the epidermis. Dry, dead, keratinized cells that sebum keeps supple.
Stratum basaleThe deepest epidermal layer, attached to the dermis below. A single layer mostly of basal cells.
In the dermis and below: 5 4
Reticular layerThe much thicker lower dermis. Dense, irregular connective tissue, net-like from its tight mesh of fibers.
Meissner corpuscleA touch receptor in the papillary layer of the dermis.
Blood vesselsVessels that run at the base of the dermis. They send small loops up into the papillary layer.
Adipose tissue (fat)Fat in the hypodermis. It stores energy and cushions and insulates the body.
Hair and glands: 7 3
Hair bulbThe base of the hair root. Its basal cells divide and push the hair up; it surrounds the hair papilla.
Arrector pili muscleA small smooth muscle joining each hair root to the dermis. When it contracts, the hair stands up.
Sweat poreWhere the sweat duct opens on the surface of the skin. It releases sweat.
How this list was compiled: Read 2026-09-26. OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology 2e, section 5.1 Layers of the Skin, https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/5-1-layers-of-the-skin : the epidermis of closely packed epithelial cells and the dermis of dense irregular connective tissue housing blood vessels, hair follicles and sweat glands; the hypodermis of loose connective and fatty tissue beneath; the stratum basale as the deepest epidermal layer; the papillary layer, loose areolar tissue projecting into the stratum basale as dermal papillae, with small blood vessels and Meissner corpuscles; the thicker reticular layer of dense irregular connective tissue, net-like from its fibres. Section 5.2 Accessory Structures of the Skin, https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/5-2-accessory-structures-of-the-skin : hair follicles as epidermal penetrations of the dermis that can reach the hypodermis; the hair shaft not anchored in the follicle; the hair bulb and hair papilla; the arrector pili smooth muscle making the hair stand up; eccrine sweat glands coiled deep in the dermis with ducts to a pore; sebaceous glands releasing sebum, most associated with hair follicles, lubricating the keratinized stratum corneum. Section 5.1 also gives the hypodermis's adipose tissue as fat storage, an energy reserve, insulation and a cushion. Licence: own work
The drawing: Drawn for this site by script, 2026-09-26. Own work, nothing traced. Licence: own work
How it works
A skin diagram unlabeled for printing, and labeled for study: one block of skin in section, from the surface down to the fat. Start with the 8 main parts, then the layers, then the hair and glands.
Read the full guide
Three layers
The epidermis is the outer layer, with the stratum corneum on top and the stratum basale deepest. The dermis below has a wavy papillary layer and a thicker reticular layer. The hypodermis under it is mostly fat.
Hair and glands
A hair grows from its bulb up a follicle that can reach the hypodermis. The sebaceous gland oils it, the arrector pili makes it stand up, and a sweat gland coiled deep in the dermis opens at a pore.
Count down from the surface: epidermis, dermis, hypodermis; then inside the dermis, papillary before reticular.
Questions and answers
What are the three layers of the skin?
The epidermis on the outside, the dermis beneath it, and the hypodermis under that, which is mostly loose connective tissue and fat.
What does the unlabeled skin diagram show?
The same block of skin with its 17 numbered rings and no names, ready to label by hand.
What is the difference between the papillary and reticular layers?
The papillary layer is the loose top of the dermis that pushes up into the epidermis as dermal papillae. The reticular layer below is thicker, denser and net-like.