Derm Flashcards
(90 cards)
What are the layers of the skin?
Epidermis, Dermis, Subcutaneous layer or hypodermis
What is the epidermis?
It is avascular, keratinized cells that slough off
What are the layers of the epidermis? What do they do?
- Stratum corneum: topmost layer, dry flakey skin, dead skin sloths off
- Stratum lucidum: thick skin, feet and hands, wristband friction
- Stratum granulosum: cells start to die, barrier to water loss
- Stratum spinosum: thickest layer, lots of keratinocytes
- Stratum basale: stem cells and nutrients
What is the dermis?
Vascular, anchors and connects the epidermis. Has collagen, elastin, and immune cells. The dermis feeds up into the stratum basale
What are the layers of the dermis?
- Papillary dermis: areolar connective tissue
- Reticular dermis: dense irregular connective tissue
- Dermal papillae: anchoring
What is the subcutaneous layer or hypodermis?
Technically not part of the skin, has lots of fat insulation, and is a shock absorber.
How do you know when someone needs stitches?
If they won’t stop bleeding, you have most likley cut into the dermis and it will need stitiches
Why do cancer patients get thin skin?
Chemo attacks rapidly dividing cells. It attacks many different cells
What is keratinosis?
Cells slowly dehydrate and die and as they get closer to the surface, they sloth off.
What are melanocytes?
Made up of melanin that gives skin color differences due to the amount and form of melanin. Freckles and pigmented moles are accumulations of melanin. In response to sun exposure, melanocyte-stimulating hormone is released by the thalamus (the basis of tanning-body produces more of this) and melanin is produced and shared with the keratinocyte to shield the keratinocyte’s nuclei from UV light and sun exposure
What are Merkel cells?
Tactile/sensory cells that sense light touch.
What are keratinocytes?
Keratin-fibrous protein cells that makes up the epidermis.
What is carotene?
Yellow to orange pigment of skin due to Vitamin A, which also helps with eyesight and the growth of the epidermis
What gives translucent skin its color?
Hemoglobin gives skin a reddish color that you can see.
What is cyanosis?
Bluing of the skin. Low oxygenation of hemoglobin.
What is pallor?
Anemia, low blood pressure.
What is jaundice?
Elevated bilirubin, liver disorders.
What is vitiligo?
Uneven dispersal of melanin with melanocytes or the lack of melanin production.
What is ecchymosis?
Bruising, clotted blood beneath the skin.
What is erythema?
Redness, fever, hypertension, inflammation, allergy.
What are brown/black necklaces?
Acanthosis nigricans, hyperpigmented dark areas especially in the axilla and around the neck, may be a sign of insulin resistance (T2D) and elevated blood glucose levels. “Necklace of darker pigmented skin” and in armpits
What kinds of structures are in the extracellular matrix?
- Hyaluronic acid: naturally occurring, hydration
- Basal lamina: connects the epidermis and papillary dermis and allows for the flow of nutrients. Dermis feeds epidermis through this structure
Recticular layer
3. Collagen: tensile strength in the papillary layer and gives some flexibility
4. Fibroblasts
5. Water, Sugar, Glycoproteins
6. Elastic fibers for flexibility and less rigidity
Thicker collagen fibers are aranged in a what?
recticulum
What is turgor?
Skin with decreased turgor remains elevated after being pulled up and released. This is a physical exam finding and is a sign of dehydration.