The hypodermis, also called the hypoderm, is the lowermost layer of the integumentary system in vertebrates. It is derived from the mesoderm, but unlike the dermis, it is not derived from the dermatome region of the mesoderm. In arthropods, the hypodermis is an epidermal layer of cells that secretes the chitinous cuticle. The term also refers to a layer of cells lying immediately below the epidermis of plants.
The hypodermis is used mainly for fat storage.
See also
Subcutis
The content of this page is retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypodermis under GFDL
