Nerve supply to your skin

The entire surface of your skin receives its nerve supply from the central nervous system (CNS) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

Your central nervous system receives sensory information about touch, pressure, temperature and pain from areas of your skin. These areas of skin are referred to as dermatomes.

Receptors in different areas of your skin send nerve impulses or messages via spinal nerves to the spinal cord. This information is then transmitted up the sensory or ascending spinal tracts in your spinal cord to the brain.

The autonomic nervous system controls the blood vessels, sweat glands and oil (sebaceous) glands in your skin.