8.6 Lesson 6: Hypodermis
- Another name for the hypodermis is the subcutaneous tissue.
- The hypodermis is not part of the skin, and lies below the dermis. • Its purpose is to attach the skin to underlying bone and muscle as well as supplying it with blood vessels and nerves.
- It consists of loose connective tissue and elastin. The main cell types are fibroblasts (synthesize collagen), macrophages (white blood cells), and adipocytes (fat cells).
- The hypodermis contains 50% of the body’s fat.
- Fat serves as padding and insulation for the body.
