What are the three main layers of the integumentary system?

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

Answer: (A)

Think of the skin as three layers from outside in: the epidermis on the outside acts as a protective barrier, the dermis beneath it provides strength and houses structures like nerves and blood vessels, and the hypodermis (also called subcutaneous tissue) is the deepest layer that anchors the skin to underlying tissues and stores fat. The best answer lists these three in the correct order: epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. It matches the standard arrangement and uses the common names. One of the other options leaves out the outer epidermis, another puts the layers in the wrong order, and another uses subcutaneous instead of hypodermis, which is not the typical three-layer naming.