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Dermatology > Anatomy of the skin > Flashcards

Anatomy of the skin Flashcards

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Dermatology Board Prep flashcards
1
Q

What are the three main layers of the skin?

A

Epidermis, Dermis, Hypodermis.

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2
Q

What are the primary cell types found in the epidermis?

A

Keratinocytes and Melanocytes.

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3
Q

What are the five layers of the epidermis in order?

A

1) Stratum Germinativum/Basale, 2) Stratum Spinosum, 3) Stratum Granulosum, 4) Stratum Lucidum (only in thick skin), 5) Stratum Corneum.

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4
Q

What is the Stratum Germinativum/Basale composed of?

A

A single layer of cuboidal or columnar cells.

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5
Q

What is the significance of the Stratum Lucidum?

A

It is present only in very thick epidermis, like on palms and soles, and lies before the Stratum Corneum.

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6
Q

How many layers of cells make up the Stratum Corneum?

A

5-50 layers of flattened, dead cells (squames).

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7
Q

What are the key components of the dermis?

A

Connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, arrector pili, glands (sweat, sebaceous), and various cells like fibroblasts, histiocytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes.

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8
Q

What are the two layers of the dermis?

A

Reticular Layer (thick collagen, lower layer) and Papillary Layer (fine collagen, upper layer).

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9
Q

What are the functions of the hypodermis?

A

Insulates the body and stores energy.

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10
Q

Which skin layer contains fibroblasts, histiocytes, mast cells, and lymphocytes?

A

The Dermis.

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11
Q

What is the first layer of the epidermis and its characteristics?

A

Stratum Germinativum/Basale; a single layer of cuboidal/columnar cells that adhere to the basement membrane via hemidesmosomes. Basal cells differentiate into keratinocytes over 14 days.

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12
Q

What is the role of the Stratum Spinosum?

A

It consists of several layers of polyhedral cells where keratin-tonofibrils insert into desmosomes, and keratinocytes contain lamellar bodies, which form a water barrier and cement cells together.

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13
Q

What function do Langerhans Cells serve?

A

They are antigen-presenting cells with a macrophage-like function, located in the Stratum Spinosum, and play a role in immune defense.

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14
Q

Describe the Stratum Granulosum.

A

It consists of 3-5 layers of flattened cells, where keratinocytes lose their nuclei and contain keratohyalin granules, essential for keratinization.

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15
Q

What is the Stratum Lucidum and where is it found?

A

A clear, lucid layer of flattened cells, found only in very thick layers of epidermis (e.g., palms and soles). Cells here lack nuclei and organelles.

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16
Q

What is the composition and function of the Stratum Corneum?

A

The Stratum Corneum consists of 5-50 layers of flattened, dead cells (squames) devoid of nuclei and organelles. It serves as a protective barrier and retains moisture.

17
Q

What are the functions of keratinocytes in the epidermis?

A

Keratinocytes form the keratinized stratified squamous epithelium, contain keratin proteins, and participate in keratinization, where they differentiate and aggregate keratin filaments into tonofilaments, anchoring desmosomes to the cytoskeleton.

18
Q

What is the role of Melanocytes in the epidermis?

A

Melanocytes synthesize melanin pigment, which is transferred to keratinocytes to absorb UV radiation, contributing to skin pigmentation.

19
Q

What is the function of Merkel Cells in the epidermis?

A

Merkel Cells, located in the Stratum Basale, are associated with nerve endings and possibly have a neuro-endocrine function, acting as sensory mechanoreceptors.

20
Q

What is the process of epidermopoiesis and how long does it take?

A

Epidermopoiesis is the continual renewal of the epidermis through basal cell division. The turnover rate is approximately 6 weeks, with basal cells becoming keratinocytes and reaching the stratum corneum in about 14 days.

21
Q

What is the Dermal-Epidermal Junction?

A

It is the area where the Stratum Basale of the epidermis attaches to the basement membrane, connecting the epidermis to the dermis.

22
Q

What cells are found in the Stratum Basale at the Dermal-Epidermal Junction?

A

Basal keratinocytes, melanocytes, and Merkel cells.

23
Q

What is the function of hemidesmosomes in the Dermal-Epidermal Junction

A

Hemidesmosomes on basal cells attach the epidermis to the basement membrane, maintaining adhesion between the dermis and epidermis.

24
Q

What are the components of the basement membrane?

A

The basement membrane consists of the Lamina Lucida, which contains anchoring transmembrane filaments of the hemidesmosomes, and the Lamina Densa, a lattice structure made of type IV collagen.

25
Q

What is the role of melanocytes at the Dermal-Epidermal Junction?

A

Melanocytes, interspersed among basal cells, are large dendritic cells responsible for melanin pigment production.

26
Q

What is the likely function of Merkel cells in the Stratum Basale?

A

Merkel cells likely have a neuro-endocrine function and contain small, dense granules of catecholamines.

27
Q

What is the predominant protein in the dermis?

A

Collagen

28
Q

What is the function of collagen in the dermis?

A

Collagen is a very tough, fibrous protein with high tensile strength, providing structural support to the skin.

29
Q

What role does elastin play in the dermis?

A

Elastin provides elasticity to the skin, allowing it to deform and return to its original shape (deformity with memory).

30
Q

What are Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and what is their function in the dermis?

A

GAGs absorb water and provide viscosity to the skin. They consist of a hyaluronan backbone with glycoprotein branches.

31
Q

What is the primary composition of the hypodermis?

A

The hypodermis is mostly composed of fat (adipose cells), along with blood vessels and nerves.

32
Q

Where is the hypodermis thickest in the body?

A

The hypodermis is thickest in the abdomen.

33
Q

What are the main functions of the hypodermis?

A

The hypodermis insulates the body and stores energy.

Dermatology (41 decks)

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