ABSTRACT
Dermatotoxicology is the branch of science dealing with the assessment of
responses of the skin to specific toxicants. It is thought that the primary function
of skin is a barrier between the well-regulated “milieu interieur” and the outside
environment. This may give one the impression that the structure of skin is
simple and solely focused on its barrier properties. Past research in percutaneous
absorption and dermatotoxicology has reinforced this view. However, more
recent research in percutaneous absorption and dermal toxicology now take
into consideration the possibility that additional anatomical factors may also
affect the barrier function of skin, thereby altering the rate of absorption. Many
earlier model systems used to evaluate percutaneous absorption were primitive
and not capable of modeling all of these factors. Therefore, it is the purpose of
this chapter to illustrate to scientists working in this field the complexity of the
integument and how anatomical structures within the skin contribute to and
influence its barrier function.
