5: Skin structure & function 3

Question 1

Which structure joins the epidermis and the dermis?

Answer 1

Dermo-epidermal junction (DEJ)

Question 2

What are the two layers of the dermo-epidermal junction?

Answer 2

Lamina lucida

Lamina densa

comprised of connective tissue

Question 3

What are the main cell types found in the dermis?

Answer 3

Fibroblasts

Immune cells - macrophages, mast cells, lymphocytes, Langerhans cells

Question 4

Which types of connective tissue fibres are found in the dermis?

Answer 4

Collagen

Elastin

Question 5

How does blood reach the dermis?

Answer 5

Superficial and deep vascular plexuses

Question 6

What are benign vascular endothelial tumours called?

Answer 6

Angiomas

Question 7

Apart from arterioles and venules, what other vessels are found in the dermis?

Answer 7

Lymphatic vessels

Question 8

Which cells take antigens to lymphatics in the dermis?

Answer 8

Langerhans cells

Lymphocytes

Question 9

If lymphatic vessels are damaged, what symptom can present?

Answer 9

Lymphoedema

Question 10

Which type of nerve provides feeling for the dermis?

Answer 10

Somatic sensory nerves

Question 11

What are Pacinian corpuscles responsible for sensing?

Answer 11

Vibration

(23/12 - P is not for pressure, it turns out)

Question 12

What are Meissner’s corpuscles responsible for sensing?

Answer 12

Pressure

Light touch

Question 13

Apart from somatic sensory nerves, which other type of nerves supply blood vessels, nerves and glands in the dermis?

Answer 13

Autonomic nerves - sympathetic and parasympathetic

Question 14

What do Pacinian corpuscles look like under the microscope?

Answer 14

Onions

Question 15

What is a benign nerve tumour of the skin called?

Answer 15

Neurofibroma

Question 16

Which genetic skin condition sees the development of loads of neurofibromas all over the back and other surfaces?

Answer 16

Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Question 17

What are the three types of glands found in the skin?

Answer 17

Sebaceous glands

Apocrine glands

Eccrine glands

Question 18

What is the function of sebaceous glands?

Answer 18

Secrete sebum into the pilary canal to lubricate hairs and protect from fungal infection

Question 19

What skin disease involves blocking of pilary canals by excess sebum +/- bacterial colonisation?

Answer 19

Acne

Question 20

What is the function of apocrine glands and where are they found?

Answer 20

Produce oily, odorous fluid

Found in the axillae and perineum

Question 21

What is the function of eccrine glands and where in particular are they found?

Answer 21

Secrete sweat to cool body by evaporation and moisten palms/soles

Found everywhere, but palms, soles and axillae in particular

Question 22

Which autonomic nerves supply eccrine glands?

Answer 22

Sympathetic nerves