dermis

1 of 2

noun

der·​mis ˈdər-məs 

: the vascular, thick layer of the skin lying below the epidermis and above the superficial fascia that contains fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, B cells, and sensory nerve endings and has an extracellular matrix composed of proteoglycans and glycoproteins embedded with collagen and elastin fibers

called also corium, cutis

see hair illustration

-dermis

2 of 2

noun combining form

: layer of skin or tissue

endodermis

Examples of dermis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Old, dead cells are shed and replenished with new, healthy ones from the layer beneath (the dermis). —Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Dec. 2024

All of this can reduce the elasticity of your skin, which along with less support from your dermis and the big G—gravity—can allow the surface of your skin in different parts of your face to pocket downwards in different ways, resulting in static wrinkles. —Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Red light LEDs penetrate the dermis and can stimulate the production of these proteins to help reduce wrinkles, according to Abigail Waldman, clinical director of the Mohs and Dermatologic Surgery Center at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. —Nena Farrell, WIRED, 23 Nov. 2024

The machine gently emits laser energy to warm up the upper dermis and boost collagen production, while also soothing facial redness by targeting capillaries. —Amber Gibson, Glamour, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Late Latin -dermis

Noun combining form

Late Latin, from Greek, from derma

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1830, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

dermis

noun

der·​mis ˈdər-məs 

: the sensitive inner layer of skin directly under the epidermis

Medical Definition

dermis

noun

der·​mis ˈdər-məs 

: the vascular, thick layer of the skin lying below the epidermis and above the superficial fascia that contains fibroblasts, macrophages, mast cells, B cells, and sensory nerve endings and has an extracellular matrix composed of proteoglycans and glycoproteins embedded with collagen and elastin fibers

called also corium, cutis, cutis vera, derma