Oregon Esthetician State Board

Which primary skin function involves the skin's ability to feel sensations such as touch and temperature?

1. Heat regulation

2. Excretion

3. Sensation

4. Protection

The correct answer is: Sensation

The primary skin function that encompasses the ability to feel sensations such as touch and temperature is indeed sensation. The skin has numerous sensory receptors that are responsible for detecting various stimuli from the environment. These receptors allow the body to perceive and respond to changes in temperature, pressure, pain, and texture, making sensation a critical function for survival and interaction with the surrounding world. Sensation is vital for protecting the body from harm, as it enables individuals to react to extreme temperatures or injuries effectively. By sensing these changes, the skin plays an important role in alerting the nervous system to potential dangers, prompting appropriate responses such as withdrawal or avoidance. While heat regulation, excretion, and protection are also important functions of the skin, they do not specifically relate to the ability to perceive tactile sensations. Heat regulation involves the body’s ability to maintain a stable internal temperature, excretion pertains to the removal of waste products from the body through sweat, and protection refers to the skin's barrier function against pathogens and harmful substances. Each of these functions contributes to overall skin health, but sensation is solely focused on the perception of various environmental stimuli.