Question 1
The dermis contains which of the following?
- A. blood vessels
- B. sweat glands
- C. sensory nerve endings
- D. sebaceous glands
Show answer and rationale
Correct answer: A — blood vessels
The dermis contains blood vessels, among other structures, making it a complex layer. Its papillary region has capillaries nourishing the epidermis, while the reticular layer hosts larger vessels for circulation and thermoregulation. Sweat glands, originating in the epidermis, extend into the dermis, releasing sweat through ducts. Sensory nerve endings, like Meissner's and Pacinian corpuscles, detect touch and pressure, abundant in the dermis. Sebaceous glands, also epidermal-derived, reside in the dermis, secreting sebum into hair follicles. All listed elements vessels, glands, and nerves are present, but the question seeks one correct answer, often emphasizing blood vessels for their prominence in dermal function. Their role in nutrient delivery and heat exchange underscores the dermis's vascularity, a feature visible in histological sections and critical to skin physiology, distinguishing it from the avascular epidermis.