We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Dermal Papillae?

By M. Haskins
Updated: Mar 03, 2024

The human skin is made up of several layers, and the outermost layer is called the epidermis, which sits directly on top of another layer called the dermis. Dermal papillae, sometimes called dermal pegs or DP, are small protrusions of the dermis layer into the epidermis layer. The DP serve several functions, including strengthening the adhesive bond between the dermis and epidermis, reducing the risk of separation between these two layers of skin, and providing blood flow to the epidermis, which has no blood supply of its own. Nerves coming through the dermis into the epidermis by way of the dermal papillae also serve the function of providing important sensory information, and these nerves are especially sensitive to pressure, pain, cold and heat. On the hands and feet, the pattern of the DP is visible in the form of fingerprints, also known as epidermal or papillary ridges.

Each individual protrusion of the dermis into the epidermis is called a dermal papilla. In its shape, a papilla looks similar to a finger or nipple, and the word is derived from the Latin word papula, meaning pimple. The part of the dermis where the dermal papillae are located is also called the papillary dermis or papillary layer. Approximately 20% of the dermis is made up of this papillary layer, which mainly consists of elastic connective tissue, blood vessels, touch receptors, and nerve endings.

Dermal papillae are an important part of skin anatomy. They contain the vascular loops and capillaries that transport oxygen and nutrients from the blood system to the epidermis, while simultaneously removing waste products from the epidermal layer. The epidermis mainly functions as a protective, exterior layer and has no nerve cells of its own, but the dermal papillae has specialized nerve endings that are extremely sensitive and provide vital sensory input from this outermost stratum of skin.

Dermal papillae are important in the formation of hair follicles, and are involved in the cycle of hair growth and shedding. A hair follicle is an indentation in the epidermis that sits right on top of a dermal papilla. In the case of a hair follicle, a dermal papilla is surrounded by what is called a hair matrix, which consists of epithelial cells, and pigment-producing cells that help form the hair itself as well as the root sheath the hair grows from. The access to the capillary blood vessel in a dermal papilla is vital for hair formation and growth.

The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By cloudel — On Jul 28, 2011

As a cosmetology student, I had to learn about the hair follicle and its connection to the dermal papilla. The root of the hair is enclosed in a follicle. From the follicle’s base, the dermal papilla receives food from the bloodstream and carries it forth to make new hair.

The dermal papilla has male hormone and androgen receptors. Androgens control hair growth, and they can cause the follicle to shrink and the hair to thin, if the person is genetically predisposed to hair loss.

So, dermal papillae pretty much are the hair’s control center. They tell it when to grow and when to thin out.

By orangey03 — On Jul 27, 2011

I’m always reading up on new advancements in aging skin care, and I recently came across a study on aging dermal papillae. It seems that dermal papillae disappear with age. This reduces the area available for exchange between the dermis and the epidermis. This weakening of the junction leads to loss of elasticity. As elasticity declines, wrinkle formation increases.

In a diagram of the dermal papillae, I saw this process illustrated. The drawing showed the papillae shrinking with age. They started sticking together in groups rather than jutting out alone. It kind of looked like those time-progression computer models of a young person slumping over and becoming shorter as they get older.

Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-dermal-papillae.htm
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.