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An Adventure in Skin

Pennie Latin delves through the layers the largest organ of the body, our skin.

Body organs aren't all internal like the brain or the heart. There's one we wear on the outside. Skin is our largest organ, it covers over 2m2. This fleshy covering does a lot more than make us look presentable. In fact, without it, we'd literally evaporate.

Skin acts as a waterproof, insulating shield, guarding the body against extremes of temperature, damaging sunlight, and harmful chemicals. It also exudes antibacterial substances that prevent infection and manufactures vitamin D for converting calcium into healthy bones. Our skin is a huge sensor packed with nerves for keeping the brain in touch with the outside world. At the same time, skin allows us free movement, proving itself an amazingly versatile organ.

From the anatomy class to the skin labs of the future, this Brainwaves looks at this extraordinary organ that we all share and the science behind some cutting edge innovation happening to replace, repair and improve damaged skin.

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 30 Oct 2022 06:00

Model of the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis

Model of the skin's outermost layer, the epidermis

Broadcasts

  • Wed 21 Feb 2018 13:30
  • Sun 25 Feb 2018 06:00
  • Wed 29 Aug 2018 13:30
  • Sun 2 Sep 2018 06:00
  • Sun 30 Oct 2022 06:00

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