Which layer is the thicker layer of skin made up of connective tissue and contains blood vessels and nerves?

• A. Epidermis
• B. Dermis
• C. Hypodermis
• D. Subcutaneous tissue

Answer: (B)

The thicker layer of skin that is made of connective tissue and contains blood vessels and nerves is the dermis. The skin has an outer layer called the epidermis, which is a protective barrier and has no blood vessels. Beneath it lies the dermis, a dense, connective tissue layer rich in collagen and elastin that gives skin strength and elasticity. This is where the network of blood vessels and nerves resides, along with hair follicles and glands. Deeper still is the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue), which is mostly fat and serves as insulation and cushioning, not part of the skin itself. So the description—thicker layer, connective tissue, with blood vessels and nerves—fits the dermis.