Kulit

Kulit, in Indonesian and Malay, means the skin, the organ that forms the body's outer covering in humans and many animals. It serves as a protective barrier, helps regulate temperature, enables the sense of touch, and participates in metabolic processes such as vitamin D synthesis. It is the largest organ by surface area and weight.

Anatomically, kulit consists of three main layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue). The epidermis is the outer, relatively avascular layer made mostly of keratinocytes; the dermis lies beneath and contains connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and glands. The hypodermis consists mainly of fat and connective tissue that cushions the body.

Functions include barrier protection from pathogens and chemicals, prevention of water loss, and sensation via nerve endings. Sweat glands and blood vessels regulate temperature. The skin also participates in immune responses and stores lipids; it can synthesize vitamin D when exposed to sunlight.

Common conditions affecting kulit include acne, dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and infections. Aging and sun exposure can lead to thinning, wrinkles, and reduced elasticity. Good skin care—cleanliness, moisturizing, sun protection, and prompt wound care—helps maintain health; persistent symptoms or signs of infection should prompt medical evaluation.

Note: In everyday Indonesian and Malay, kulit refers to the skin of living beings, and also to leather or fruit peels in some contexts. The term is central to discussions of the body's largest organ.