The dermis, or corium, is the thick, relatively soft inner most tissue of the skin. It shields and repairs injured tissues and is about four times thicker than the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). The dermis consists mainly of protein collagen, which builds scar tissue to mend cuts and abrasions. The dermis nourishes the epidermis and contains nerve endings and blood vessels, and may contain some fatty tissue. The bases of hairs are also located in the dermis. Underneath the dermis is the hypo dermis, which is a fatty subcutaneous layer.
