The papillary layer provides nutrients to the skin and is involved sensory perception and temperature regulation. The papillary layer is the superficial layer of the dermis that projects into the stratum basale of the epidermis to form finger-like dermal papilla (plural = dermal papillae) (see Figure 5.6). The papillary layer is a layer of the dermis, directly underneath the epidermis. It is comparatively thin. The papillary dermis is spongy, having loosely interconnected extracellular matrix, elastic fibers and an extensive capillary network. The first being to support the avascular epidermis with vital nutrients and secondly to provide a network for thermoregulation. Papillary dermis . The papillary dermis is the very top layer of the skin, which serves to protect the body from the external environment. It contains blood vessels, which supply the skin tissue with essential nutrients and oxygen, as well as regulating body temperature.This layer of dermis also includes free nerve endings in sensitive parts of the body. Dermal papillae increase the strength of the connection between the epidermis and dermis; the greater the folding, the stronger the connections made. According to the National Cancer Institute, both layers contain collagen fibers. The main functions of the dermis are to regulate temperature and to … ... Dermis Function. It is composed of Loose Connective Tissues. While this layer is thin, it has various functions. Metabolically active fibroblasts populate the dermis, with greater activity seen in the papillary than the reticular dermis. The dermis is located beneath the epidermis and is the thickest of the three layers of the skin (1.5 to 4 mm thick), making up approximately 90 percent of the thickness of the skin. The papillary dermis (PD) contains vascular networks that have two important functions. This layer contains (endings of) capillaries, lymph vessels and sensory neurons. The dermis can be further divided into two major layers: the papillary dermis and the reticular dermis. The papillary skin is the highest layer of the dermis. The vasculature is organized so that by increasing or decreasing blood flow, heat can either be conserved or dissipated. The Papillary Dermis is a supplementary superficial layer which presents beneath the Epidermal intersection. The papillary dermis is comprised of thin collagen fibers. The dermis is closely connected to the epidermis through the basal membrane. The skin of humans and other mammals is composed of two major layers: (1) epidermis (the more superficial layer) and (2) dermis (the deeper layer). The papillary layer is the outer layer of the dermis, while the reticular layer is the inner layer of the dermis. The structural components of the dermis are collagen, elastic fibers and a matrix in the form of fibers. Read below dermis function. The dermis consists of two layers: The papillary layer is a thin outer layer of areolar connective tissue with fingerlike projections called dermal papillae that protrude into the epidermis.In the hands and feet, the dermal papillae generate epidermal ridges (sweat from the epidermal ridges leaves fingerprints). The key difference between papillary and reticular layer is that papillary layer is the thin superficial layer of the dermis composed of loose connective tissue while the reticular layer is the deeper thick layer of the dermis composed of dense connective tissue.. The Dermis. The primary function of the dermis is to cushion the body from stress and strain, and to also provide: elasticity to the skin, a sense of touch, and heat. The principal role is to provide strength to the Epidermis and allow the skin to flourish. Dermis function . 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