Utah Esthetics Written State Practice Exam

What are the primary components of the dermis?

1. Cells and Granules

2. Hair follicles and Sweat glands

3. Melanin and Keratin

4. Dead cells and Oil

The correct answer is: Hair follicles and Sweat glands

The primary components of the dermis include structures such as hair follicles and sweat glands, which play crucial roles in the skin's function. The dermis, located beneath the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis), is mainly composed of connective tissue that provides strength, elasticity, and support to the skin. Hair follicles are essential for hair growth and can be associated with sebaceous glands that produce oil. Sweat glands, on the other hand, are important for thermoregulation and excretion. They help maintain body temperature by producing sweat, which evaporates from the skin's surface. While the other choices include various skin-related elements, they do not accurately represent the primary components of the dermis. For example, cells and granules may describe some aspects of skin anatomy but lack specific reference to significant structures within the dermis. Melanin and keratin are more associated with the epidermis, where melanin provides pigmentation and keratin offers protection and structure. Lastly, while dead cells and oil are components of the skin, dead cells primarily exist in the outermost layer (the stratum corneum) rather than the dermis. Thus, hair follicles and sweat glands are indeed the most accurate representation of the dermis's primary components.