Skin, Hair, and Nails: Structure and Function PDF

Preface

The skin and its appendages (i.e., hair and nails) constitute a fantastic organ. Skin has always been an important arena for interpersonal communication, and it has been manipulated in various ways, as in tattoos and cosmetics, since the earliest days of the human race. Nearly as old as this desire to adorn the skin is the desire to understand its aberrations; descriptions of skin diseases can be found in many ancient texts.

In both clinical and investigative work, skin is easy to observe; it is also quite convenient to obtain samples of the skin and its appendages for further analysis. Skin cells can also be studied in cell and organ cultures. In biological and medical sciences, skin is an experimental model that is appropriate and easy to use. The skin can express most forms of pathological changes, ranging from inflammation, allergy, and tumors to genetic disturbances. During recent decades it has also become an important route for drug delivery (i.e., transdermal delivery).

With the ongoing development of innovative investigative techniques, our knowledge about the integument has increased rapidly. However, a better understanding of the normal physiology of the skin and the alterations induced by various pathological mechanisms requires a deeper knowledge about the relationship between structure and function. In terms of structure and function, there are many similarities between skin, hair, and nails. However, there are few texts in the literature that integrate these aspects. This book fills this gap by offering several chapters dealing with structure and function and others dealing with the functional changes induced by environmental factors. The contributors include experts in the front line of research on skin, hair, and nails, as well as noted comparative biologists and skin pathologists. We believe that this book should be of interest and value to anyone engaged in skin research in its broadest sense.