The dermis contains which types of tissue?

• A. Keratin, melanin
• B. Bone, cartilage
• C. Collagen, elastic tissue, reticular fibers
• D. Smooth muscle

Answer: (C)

The dermis is a connective tissue layer, so its main components are fibers and the cells that support them. Collagen fibers provide strength and structure, elastic fibers give skin its ability to stretch and snap back, and reticular fibers form supportive networks that help hold things in place within the dermis. Keratin and melanin come from epidermal cells (keratinocytes and melanocytes), so they are associated with the epidermis, not the dermis. Bone and cartilage are tissues of the skeletal system, not skin, and while some smooth muscle (like the arrector pili) can be found in the dermis, the defining tissue type described for the dermis is connective tissue with collagen, elastic tissue, and reticular fibers.