ABSTRACT
Dermatotoxicology is the branch of science dealing with the assessment of responses of the skin to specifi c 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 fi eld the complexity of the integument and how anatomical structures within the skin contribute to and infl uence its barrier function.
