Meaning & use
dermis
Last updated
Meaning
nounsingulartechnicalmedicalbiology
The thick layer of living tissue just below the outer surface of the skin, containing blood vessels and nerves.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the' and treated as a singular mass-like noun: the dermis contains collagen. The plural 'dermises' is rare and technical.
Patterns
- the dermis contains something
- in the dermis
- the dermis and the epidermis
The doctor explained that the infection had spread into the dermis.
Collagen in the dermis gives the skin its strength and elasticity.
Tattoo ink is injected into the dermis, which is why it stays for years.
Word forms
| plural | dermises |
|---|
Common combinations
- the dermis and the epidermis
- A burn that reaches the dermis and the epidermis needs medical attention.
- the deep dermis
- Sweat glands sit in the deep dermis.
- the dermis contains collagen
- The dermis contains collagen, which keeps skin firm.
- penetrate the dermis
- The needle must penetrate the dermis to deliver the drug.
- the dermis layer
- The dermis layer holds nerves and blood vessels.
Synonyms and how they differ
- corium
- An older technical synonym for the dermis; it appears mainly in historical or anatomical texts.
- true skin
- A dated everyday term for the dermis; now rare outside older medical writing.
Word family
- dermal adjective
- Relating to the skin or the dermis, as in 'dermal fillers'.
- epidermis noun
- The thin outer layer of skin that sits above the dermis.
- dermatology noun
- The medical study and treatment of the skin.
- dermatologist noun
- A doctor who treats skin conditions.
Commonly confused: dermis or epidermis? dermis or dermatitis?
dermis vs epidermis
The epidermis is the outer layer of skin; the dermis is the thicker layer underneath it. A cut that only affects the epidermis heals faster than one reaching the dermis.
dermis vs dermatitis
Dermatitis is a condition (inflamed skin), not a layer of skin. The dermis is the tissue where such inflammation can occur.
Practice
The needle went through the outer skin and into the ______, where the nerves are.
Choose one answer.
'Dermis' is the layer under the outer skin where nerves sit. 'Epidermis' is the outer layer the needle passes through first, so it does not fit the gap after 'through the outer skin'. 'Dermatology' and 'dermatitis' are not layers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “dermis”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.