1. The layer of tissue beneath the epidermis of the skin; the subcutaneous tissue or hypodermis.
Usage: anatomy; also called hypodermis
2. A genus of parasitic botflies whose larvae burrow under the skin of mammals, causing painful infections.
Usage: zoology; medical

Examples

• The hypoderma provides insulation and stores energy reserves for the body.
• Collagen fibers in the hypoderma give skin its elasticity and strength.
• Cattle can be infected by hypoderma larvae, which tunnel through the subcutaneous tissue.
• The hypoderma is thicker in areas of the body that experience more pressure.
• Dermatologists study the hypoderma to understand skin aging and repair mechanisms.