What layer of skin contains blood vessels and nerves?

The dermis is the skin layer that contains blood vessels and nerves.

It lies between the outer epidermis and the deeper hypodermis. Unlike the epidermis, which has no blood vessels of its own, the dermis contains vessels that nourish nearby tissues and remove waste. Its nerve endings help detect touch, pressure, pain, and temperature.

The dermis has two regions: a superficial papillary layer and a deeper reticular layer. It also houses hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, lymphatic vessels, collagen, and elastin. These structures help regulate temperature, lubricate the skin, and give it strength and flexibility.

A common mix-up is the hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer. It contains much of the body's insulating fat and helps anchor skin to underlying tissues, but the dermis is the layer classically identified as containing the skin's blood vessels, nerves, and appendages.