The papillary layer of the dermis is composed of loosely packed connective tissue with numerous peg-like projections that provide a great deal of surface area connecting the dermis to the epidermis. Which of the statements below do NOT represent benefits provided by the papillary layer's anatomy?
A) The spaces in the connective tissue allow many small blood vessels to deliver nutrients and pick up waste diffusing from the superficial epidermal layers.
B) The high surface area allows for a stronger connection of dermis to epidermis.
C) The looseness allows for easy separation of the dead cell layer of epidermis to be shed.
D) The looseness allows for phagocytes to roam through the tissue and search for infection.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The looseness of the papillary layer of the dermis does not facilitate the shedding of the dead cell layer of the epidermis. Shedding of the dead cell layer, or desquamation, is a process that occurs in the epidermis itself, not influenced by the structure of the dermis beneath it.

The Papillary Layer of the Dermis Is Composed of Loosely