Which layer of the skin contains connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands?

The dermis is the correct answer because it is the layer of skin situated beneath the epidermis and is rich in connective tissue, which provides strength and elasticity to the skin. Within the dermis, various structures are embedded, including hair follicles, which are responsible for hair growth, and sweat glands, which play a crucial role in thermoregulation and maintaining skin hydration.

The epidermis consists primarily of keratinized cells and does not contain these structures, focusing instead on providing a barrier against environmental factors. The hypodermis, or subcutaneous tissue, lies beneath the dermis and mainly contains fat and connective tissue, acting as an insulating layer and energy reserve. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead skin cells that help protect the underlying layers but does not house any of the mentioned structures. Therefore, the dermis is identified as the layer that contains the connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands.