dermis

Everyday

(science) The thick inner layer of the skin, under the epidermis, which holds blood vessels, nerves, hair roots and sweat glands. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons about the body and skin: skin has layers — the epidermis on the outside, the dermis below it, and fat beneath. The dermis helps you feel touch, heat and pain and helps keep you at the right temperature. A tattoo's ink sits in the dermis, which is why it stays.

Examples

• The dermis lies under the epidermis. tree →
• Nerves in the dermis let you feel the heat of a cup. tree →
• Sweat glands in the dermis help cool your body. tree →
• A deep cut goes through to the dermis and may bleed. tree →
• Hair grows from roots in the dermis. tree →
• We labelled the epidermis and dermis on a skin diagram. tree →

Note

Uncountable, usually «the dermis». From Greek «derma», skin; related to «dermatologist», a skin doctor. «Epi-» means «on top of», so the epidermis is on top of the dermis.