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dermis vs. epidermis

dermis vs. epidermis: What's the difference?

The dermis and epidermis are both parts of the skin. The epidermis is the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin. The dermis is the layer underneath the epidermis, composed of connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and an elaborate sensory nerve network.

dermis

[ dur-mis ]
noun
  1. the dense inner layer of skin beneath the epidermis, composed of connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, sweat glands, hair follicles, and an elaborate sensory nerve network.

epidermis

[ ep-i-dur-mis ]
noun
  1. the outer, nonvascular, nonsensitive layer of the skin, covering the true skin or corium.
  2. the outermost living layer of an animal, usually composed of one or more layers of cells.
  3. a thin layer of cells forming the outer integument of seed plants and ferns.