2: Skin structure & function 1

Question 1

What is the outer layer of skin called?

Answer 1

Epidermis

Question 2

What kind of cells make up the epidermis?

Answer 2

Stratified squamous epithelium

also known as keratinocytes

Question 3

Which layer of skin is made up of stratified squamous epithelium?

Answer 3

Epidermis

Question 4

Which layer of skin is found beneath the epidermis?

Answer 4

Dermis

Question 5

What kind of tissue makes up the dermis?

Answer 5

Connective tissue

Question 6

Which single layer of cells is formed by the ectoderm before they are cast off?

Answer 6

Periderm

Question 7

Which germ layer turns into the epidermis?

Answer 7

Ectoderm

Question 8

Which germ layer turns into the dermis?

Answer 8

Mesoderm

Question 9

Which cells, found in skin, produce pigmentation?

Answer 9

Melanocytes

Question 10

What are Blaschko’s lines?

Answer 10

Developmental growth patterns of skin (not the same as dermatomes)

Question 11

What name is given to accessory parts of the skin found in the dermis?

Answer 11

Appendages

Examples: nails, hair, glands

Question 12

What anchors the skin to bones and allows it to move around?

Answer 12

Subcutaneous fat

Question 13

Which cells make up 95% of the epidermis?

Answer 13

Keratinocytes

Question 14

What are the four epidermal layers?

Answer 14

Keratin layer (lots of keratinocytes with little to no nuclei)

Granular layer

Prickle cell layer

Basal cell layer

Question 15

Which substance is found at the surface of the skin and protects it from damage?

Answer 15

Keratin

Question 16

What does psoriasis look like?

Answer 16

Patches of red crusty skin covered in silver scales

Question 17

Where is psoriasis most commonly found on the body?

Answer 17

Scalp

Elbows

Lower back

Knees

Question 18

Why does psoriasis produce crusty scales on the surface of the skin?

Answer 18

Increased cell turnover (around 7 days as opposed to 28)

Lack of proper differentiation

Question 19

What connects cells together in the prickle cell layer?

Answer 19

Desmosomes

Question 20

In which layer of the epidermis do cells lose their nuclei?

Answer 20

Granular layer

Question 21

What are corneocytes?

Answer 21

Terminally differentiated keratinocytes

Question 22

Name three specialised cells found in the epidermis.

What are their functions?

Answer 22

Melanocytes (produce pigment)

Langerhans cells (immune surveillance)

Merkel cells (mechanoreceptors)

Question 23

Give an example of a disease which affects melanocytes.

Answer 23

Vitiligo

Albinism

Malignant melanoma