What is the thick layer of skin that contains hair follicles, sweat and oil glands, nerve endings, and blood vessels?

The dermis is the thick layer of skin that lies beneath the epidermis and is crucial for various skin functions. It contains hair follicles, sweat glands, and oil glands, which are essential for thermoregulation and maintaining skin health. Additionally, the dermis houses nerve endings, providing sensory information like pain and touch, and blood vessels, supplying nutrients and oxygen to the skin while helping regulate temperature.

The epidermis, while important, is primarily a protective layer that does not contain the structures mentioned in the question. The subcutaneous layer, located beneath the dermis, primarily consists of fat and connective tissue that insulates the body and protects underlying structures. The cuticle is a thin layer of skin at the base of nails, not related to the skin layer in question. Thus, the dermis is correctly identified as the layer with all the specified features.