Anatomy of the Skin

Question 1

How many layers of the skin are there?

Answer 1

3

Question 2

What are the three main layers of skin called?

Answer 2

-Epidermis
-Dermis
-Hypodermis

Question 3

What is the epidermis mainly formed from?

Answer 3

Keratinocytes undergoing terminal maturation

Question 4

What other cells occupy the epidermis?

Answer 4

-Melanocytes
-Langerhans cells
-Merkel cells

Question 5

What are melanocytes responsible for?

Answer 5

The are responsible for melanin production and pigment formation

Question 6

What are Langerhans cells?

Answer 6

Antigen-presenting dendritic cells

Question 7

What are Merkel cells?

Answer 7

Sensory mechanoreceptors

Question 8

What is the epidermis divided into?

Answer 8

Layers of keratinocytes

Question 9

What are the different layers of the epidermis?

Answer 9

-Stratum basale
-Stratum spinosum
-Stratum granulosum
-Stratum lucidum
-Stratum corneum

Question 10

Which layer of the epidermis is the deepest from the surface?

Answer 10

Stratum basale

Question 11

What occurs in the Stratum basale layer of the epidermis?

Answer 11

Mitosis of keratinocytes

Question 12

How are keratinocytes joined in the Stratum spinosum layer of the epidermis?

Answer 12

Joined by tight intercellular junctions called desmosomes

Question 13

What occurs in the Stratum granulosum layer of the epidermis?

Answer 13

Cells secrete lipids and other waterproofing molecules

Question 14

What occurs in the Stratum lucidum layer of the epidermis?

Answer 14

Cells lose nuclei and drastically increase keratin production

Question 15

What occurs in the Stratum corneum layer of the epidermis?

Answer 15

Cells lose all organelles and continue to produce keratin

Question 16

How many days does a keratinocyte take to travel from the Stratum basale to the Stratum corneum?

Answer 16

30-40 days

Question 17

Where is the dermis found?

Answer 17

Right below the epidermis

Question 18

How many layers does the dermis have?

Answer 18

2

Question 19

What are the two layers of the dermis called?

Answer 19

-Papillary Layer
-Reticular Layer

Question 20

What function do the thicker bundles of collagen fibres have on the reticular layer of the dermis?

Answer 20

Provides durability

Question 21

What helps provide the reticular layer of the dermis durability?

Answer 21

Thicker bundles of collagen fibres

Question 22

What are some of the cell types and structures found in the dermis layer?

Answer 22

-Fibroblasts
-Mast cells
-Blood vessels and cutaneous sensory nerves
-Skin appendages

Question 23

What is the function of a fibroblast?

Answer 23

Cells which synthesis the extracellular matrix

Question 24

What are fibroblast composed of?

Answer 24

-Collagen
-Elastin

Question 25

What are mast cells?

Answer 25

Histamine granule-containing cells of the innate immune system

Question 26

What are some examples of skin appendages?

Answer 26

-Hair follicles
-Nails
-Sebaceous and sweat glands

Question 27

What do hair follicles and sebaceous glands combine to form?

Answer 27

Pilosebaceous Unit

Question 28

Where is the hypodermis layer found?

Answer 28

Immediately below the dermis layer

Question 29

What is found in the hypodermis layer?

Answer 29

Adipose tissue

Question 30

What is another word for adipose tissue?

Answer 30

Body fat

Question 31

What are all the functions of the skin?

7

Answer 31

-Defence against infections and infestations
-Protection against irritants, ultraviolet irradiation and injury
-Controlling water and heat loss
-Important sensory organ which distinguishes pain, touch, itching, vibrations, heat and cold
-Maintain body temperature
-Vitamin D is also synthesised in the skin
-Important organ of social communication and sexual contact.