Which part of the skin contains nerve endings and blood vessels?

The dermis is the correct answer because it is the layer of skin that contains the majority of the skin's vital structures, including nerve endings and blood vessels. This layer is located beneath the epidermis and is essential for sensory perception, as the nerve endings in the dermis allow the skin to detect touch, pressure, pain, and temperature. Additionally, the blood vessels found in the dermis play a critical role in regulating temperature and supplying nutrients to the skin, as well as aiding in the healing processes.

The epidermis, while it provides a protective barrier and is the outermost layer of the skin, does not contain blood vessels or nerve endings; these are found deeper in the dermis. The subcutaneous layer, also known as the hypodermis, primarily consists of fat and connective tissues and similarly lacks the nerve endings and blood vessels found in the dermis. The stratum basale is a specific layer within the epidermis that is responsible for the generation of new skin cells, but it too does not include nerve endings or the extensive vascular network present in the dermis.