A structure which is in the dermis layer of skin is:-

Appeared in: AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Explanation

The dermis is the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis that forms the true skin.
It contains various structures, including blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands.
Sweat glands (sudoriferous glands) are appendages of the skin, and their coiled secretory portions are located deep within the dermis or in the underlying hypodermis, with a duct extending up to the skin surface.
Therefore, sweat glands are a primary structure found within the dermis.

Option A: While dermal papillae are part of the dermis, they are not a distinct, separate structure within it like a gland. They are the upward, finger-like projections of the papillary layer of the dermis that form the junction with the epidermis.
Option B: The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, is not in the dermis. It is the layer of tissue located beneath the dermis.
Option D: Melanin is a pigment, not a structural component like a gland or tissue layer. It is produced by melanocytes, which are located in the basal layer of the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Anatomy of the Integumentary System as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the location of skin structures is crucial for many nursing procedures. For example, intradermal injections (like a PPD test for tuberculosis) are administered into the dermis because of its rich vascular supply, which allows for a slow absorption and a visible local reaction.
Knowledge of the dermis is vital for wound care. Wounds that extend into the dermis heal with scar formation because the dermis contains collagen and fibroblasts, which are involved in the scarring process.
Assessing conditions related to sweat glands, such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) or anhidrosis (inability to sweat), requires knowledge of their location and function within the dermis.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'dermis layer'.
Recall the basic structure of the skin, which consists of three main layers from superficial to deep: epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue (hypodermis).
Mentally visualize or sketch a cross-section of the skin.
Evaluate each option and place it in the correct layer:
Melanin: Pigment in the epidermis.
Subcutaneous: Layer below the dermis.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Brunner Adult Health 3SA Vol 1 Part 4 p. 49-51

E6 Physiology Essentials Sembulingam 10e Part 2 p. 3-5

E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 2 p. 1834-1836

Practise the full AIIMS Manglagiri NO - 2019

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.