Two main layers of the skin?

• A. Epidermis and Hypodermis
• B. Dermis and Hypodermis
• C. Epidermis and Subcutaneous tissue
• D. Epidermis and Dermis

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is understanding how the skin is structured from the surface down to what lies beneath, and why those layers matter in massage practice. The outermost protective layer is the epidermis. It creates a barrier against environmental factors and helps regulate moisture, which is crucial when assessing skin condition and planning superficial work.

Beneath that sits the subcutaneous tissue, also called the hypodermis. This layer is made mostly of fat and connective tissue and serves to cushion the body, insulate, and anchor the skin to underlying structures. For massage, recognizing this cushioning layer helps explain why deeper work should consider tissue depth and how pressure transmits to deeper tissues.

In this context, identifying epidermis and subcutaneous tissue as the two main layers aligns with how the course presents surface anatomy for practical palpation and technique planning, focusing on the outer barrier and the cushioning layer beneath.