Which layer of skin is responsible for sensation due to the presence of nerve endings?

The dermis layer of the skin is primarily responsible for sensation because it contains a rich supply of nerve endings. These nerve endings are sensitive to various stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. The dermis is structured with a dense connective tissue that houses not only these sensory receptors but also blood vessels, hair follicles, and glandular tissues, all of which play essential roles in skin function and overall sensation.

The epidermis, while it does have some nerve endings, mainly serves as a protective barrier and does not contain the same concentration or variety of sensory receptors found in the dermis. The hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer, primarily serves to anchor the skin to underlying structures and insulate the body but does not play a direct role in sensation. Therefore, the dermis is the key layer that facilitates the perception of sensory information due to its specialized structures.