On the structure of the sudoriparous glands / by G. Rainey ; with delineations of these organs from microscopic preparations, by T.S. Ralph.

  • Rainey, G. (George), 1801-1884.
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the structure of the sudoriparous glands / by G. Rainey ; with delineations of these organs from microscopic preparations, by T.S. Ralph. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    Before describing the Sudoriparous Glands, and the course of their ducts, it will be necessary to notice a few facts concerning the structure of the skin. The skin consists of two perfectly distinct structures—the Cutis, or Dermis; and the Cuticle, or Epidermis. The surface of the former, especially in the palmar and plantar regions, presents numerous rows of conical papillee, separated by corresponding gTooves. Each papilla is composed of a vascular loop of greater or less complexity, contained in a conical process of thin, but strong basement membrane. The latter, or Epidermis, comprises all that portion of the integument which is superficial to the base- ment membrane of the papillee: it may be divided into two layers, a deep, and a superficial one: the former answering to the rete miicoswn, and the latter to the cuticle of former Authors. The deep layer rests upon the basement membrane, and fills up, in a great measure the grooves between the papillae; superiorly it extends a little beyond the level of the apices of the papillae, where it is often distinguished from the superficial layer by the appearance of a dark undulating border. This deep layer of the Epidermis is made up entirely of nucleated cells in different stages of develop- ment; those lying' in contact with the basement membrane are very small and crowded together, being probably only cell nuclei; whilst those more remote from it are approaching the condition of epidermic scales. The superficial layer of the Epidermis extends from the undu- lating border above mentioned, to the surface, where it is in a state of desquamation, and is made up entirely of scales, or degenerated epidermic cells, which have lost their nuclei and become flattened. These scales are placed with their broadest sides parallel with the surface of the body. The fact of the nucleated cells being confined to one part of the cuticle, and the scales to 'another, is contrary to the opinion generally entertained by physiologists; namely, that the epidermic cells are gradually and progressively changed into scales, in pro- portion as they recede from the basement membrane, and approach the surface of the body.