I bet you're thinking it's something wild like the large intestine, aren't you? Well, nope, you're wrong. The largest body organ is in fact the skin on your body. Yes, I know, I was shocked too!
Your skin is the largest organ and covers your entire body with a surface area of around two square meters! Its thickness caries from 0.5mm on your eyelids, to 4mm or more on the palms of your hands and on the soles of your feet. The skin accounts for around sixteen percent of your body-weight!
Your skin consists of two main layers ~ the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. Cells in the deepest layer of your epidermis divide constantly to make new cells. These new cells are pushed to the surface of the skin and eventually die and become filled with keratin ~ a very tough protein. Keratin then provides your body with a durable overcoat, which protects the deeper cells from damage and infection.
Cells on the surface of your skin rub and flake off steadily and are continuously replaced with new ones. About every 30 days, your body produces a whole new layer of skin.
Your inner dermis consists of strong collagen and elastic fibres pierced by blood vessels. It also contains all the touch, pressure and pain sensors and is packed with hair follicles, sweat and oil glands. The oil glands produce a lubricant that keeps your skin soft and prevents your hair from becoming brittle.
Because the skin is a living organ, it can also boast to hold the title of the largest body organ!
Your skin is the largest organ and covers your entire body with a surface area of around two square meters! Its thickness caries from 0.5mm on your eyelids, to 4mm or more on the palms of your hands and on the soles of your feet. The skin accounts for around sixteen percent of your body-weight!
Your skin consists of two main layers ~ the outer epidermis and the inner dermis. Cells in the deepest layer of your epidermis divide constantly to make new cells. These new cells are pushed to the surface of the skin and eventually die and become filled with keratin ~ a very tough protein. Keratin then provides your body with a durable overcoat, which protects the deeper cells from damage and infection.
Cells on the surface of your skin rub and flake off steadily and are continuously replaced with new ones. About every 30 days, your body produces a whole new layer of skin.
Your inner dermis consists of strong collagen and elastic fibres pierced by blood vessels. It also contains all the touch, pressure and pain sensors and is packed with hair follicles, sweat and oil glands. The oil glands produce a lubricant that keeps your skin soft and prevents your hair from becoming brittle.
Because the skin is a living organ, it can also boast to hold the title of the largest body organ!
