Abstract
Skin is generally considered to be an organ existing simply as a barrier that separates the body from the environment, and as protection of the inside body, it includes many sensors against various environmental changes. Furthermore, it is said that the skin is embryologically the same as the brain, so it is deeply related to the brain. However, the tissue derived from the same ectoderm as the brain is only the epidermis of about 0.2 mm in thickness. The inner tissue, dermis is derived from the mesoderm. Most receptors for various sensations are present in the dermis, and only free terminals of nerves extend to the epidermis. Does the epidermis only play a role as the barrier to the outside, and peel off? Are there any receptors in the dermis that sense extremely subtle information such as 'Qi' which is hard to catch with physical sensors? In this presentation, the author will discuss the sensing ability hidden in the epidermis and consider fine sensing functions of humans by the sensory nerves and autonomic nervous systems.
