Human Skin

body · protection · largest organ

Your biggest organ. Skin is actually your body's largest organ, not your heart or brain! It covers your whole body and protects your muscles, bones, and all your inner organs from damage and germs.

Seven layers deep. Human skin has up to seven different layers of tissue stacked on top of each other, all working together to keep you safe and healthy. Each layer has its own special job to do.

Similar to pigs. Your skin is actually very similar to pig skin, which is why scientists sometimes study pig skin to understand how human skin works. It's one of the closest matches in the animal world.

Hairy or hairless. Most of your skin is covered with tiny hair follicles, but some skin looks completely hairless like the palms of your hands and soles of your feet. These two types of skin are called hairy and glabrous skin.