Exterior
Exterior[edit | edit source]
The term "exterior" can refer to various contexts within the medical field, architecture, and other disciplines. In the medical context, "exterior" often pertains to the outer surface or part of the body, such as the skin or the outer layer of an organ. This article will focus on the medical implications of the term "exterior," particularly in relation to human anatomy and clinical practice.
Human Anatomy[edit | edit source]
In human anatomy, the "exterior" refers to the outermost layer of the body, primarily the skin. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and serves several critical functions:
- Protection: The skin acts as a barrier against pathogens, chemicals, and physical injuries.
- Regulation: It helps regulate body temperature through sweat and blood flow.
- Sensation: The skin contains nerve endings that allow for the sensation of touch, temperature, and pain.
- Excretion: Sweat glands in the skin excrete waste products such as urea and salts.
Layers of the Skin[edit | edit source]
The skin is composed of three primary layers:
- Epidermis: The outermost layer, which provides a waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone.
- Dermis: Beneath the epidermis, containing tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
- Hypodermis: Also known as subcutaneous tissue, this layer is made of fat and connective tissue.
Clinical Relevance[edit | edit source]
Understanding the exterior of the body is crucial in various medical fields, including dermatology, surgery, and emergency medicine.
Dermatology[edit | edit source]
Dermatologists specialize in conditions related to the skin, hair, and nails. Common conditions affecting the exterior of the body include:
Surgery[edit | edit source]
Surgeons must have a thorough understanding of the exterior anatomy to perform procedures such as:
Emergency Medicine[edit | edit source]
In emergency medicine, quick assessment of the exterior can provide vital clues about a patient's condition. For example, skin color and temperature can indicate:
Related Topics[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- "Human Anatomy & Physiology" by Elaine N. Marieb and Katja Hoehn
- "Clinical Dermatology" by Thomas P. Habif
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
