Which of the following are considered accessory structures of the skin?

• A. Subcutaneous fat
• B. Hair follicles
• C. Sweat glands
• D. Epidermal cells

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of accessory structures of the skin. Accessory structures are specialized structures that support the skin's function but are not part of the epidermis or dermis layers themselves. Examples include hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and nails.
2. Step 2: Analyze the options provided in the question. Subcutaneous fat is not considered an accessory structure because it is part of the hypodermis, which lies beneath the skin layers. Epidermal cells are part of the epidermis and not accessory structures.
3. Step 3: Identify hair follicles as accessory structures. Hair follicles are embedded in the dermis and are responsible for producing hair, which serves protective and sensory functions.
4. Step 4: Identify sweat glands as accessory structures. Sweat glands are located in the dermis and play a role in thermoregulation by producing sweat to cool the body.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct answers are hair follicles and sweat glands, as they meet the criteria for accessory structures of the skin.