Dermatology Flashcards
What are the 2 major parts of the skin and where do they devolop from?
There are 2 major parts that arise from embryological elements: EPIDERMIS-originates from the ECTODERM DERMIS-arises from the MESODERM that comes into contact with inner surface of the epidermis
What is the mesoderm essential for ?
inducing differentiation of epidermal structures e.g hair follicles
Describe the stages of skin development?
1-Epidermis forms by week 4- single basal layer of CUBOIDAL cells 2-Secondary layer of squamos, non keratinising cuboidal cells(periderm) develops in week 5. This layer generatrs a white waxy protective substance 3-Week 11 onwards =basal layer of cuboidal cells(stratum germinavum) proliferates to form multilayered intermediate zone-> four more superficial strata 4-Spinosum(spinous), granulosum (granular), lucidum(only found on palms of the hand and soles of the feet) and corneum(horny) develop 5-week 10-17 Epidermal ridges protrude as troughs into developing dermis beneath neurovascular supply and develops into dermal papillae 6-weeks 9-13 developmetn of hair follicles in stratum germinativum and appearence of lanugo hair
What are melanocytes?
melanin-producing cells in the skin
Where are melanocytes derived form?
NEURAL CREST
Describe the progression of melanoblasts?
1-dervied from NEURAL CREST 2-differentiate into MELANOBLASTS 3-Migrate dorsally between week 6-8 to developing epidermis (and dermis) and hair follicles 4-By week 12-13, most melanoblast have reached destination and differentiated into melanocytes 5-Subset of meloblasts form melancyte stem cells in hair follicle bulge that replenish differentiated melanocytes
What is the difference between melanoblasts that migrate ventrially vs dorsally?
Those that migrate dorsally become melancytes Those that migrate ventrially become glial cells
Describe the regulation of melanocytes?
Regulated by MC1R (Melanocortin 1 receptor), a g-protein coupled receptior that regulates the quantity and quality of the melanins produced: -controlled by AGONISTS AND ANTAGONISTS -Agonists-alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (aMSH) and adrenocorticotrophic hormone(ACTH) activates the MCR1=MELANOGENIC CASCADE= synthesis of EUMELANIN(found in darker skin and hair) -Antagonist AGOUTI SIGNALLING PROTEIN (ASP) reverses these effects and elicit production of PHEOMELANIN(found in pale complexions and blonde hair) -ACTH can also upregulate(increase ) the expression of the MC1R gene
What does exposure to UV do to the skin?
-Increases expression of the transcription factor MITF and downstream melanogenic proteins including Pmel17, MART-1, YR, TRP1 and DCT=increas in melanin content -Increased PAR2 in KERATINCYTES=increases uptake and distribution of melanosomes( transport of melanin) by
What are keratincytes?
an epidermal cell which produces keratin.
What is the brief structure of the skin?
Epidermis-superficial layer(top) Basement membrane-deraml-epidermal junction Dermis: -under the epidermis -connective tissue Subcutaneous fat-below dermis
Describe the structure of the epidermis?
Composed of KERATINOCYTES predominantly Layers from bottom to to(progressive differentiation and flattening occur as you go up): -Basal Layer -Stratum spinosum -Stratum granulosm -Statum Lucidum(extra layer in palms and soles only) -Stratum corneum(no nuclei or organelles)
Where does cell division occur in the epidermis?
BASAL layer
How long does the cellular progression from the basal layer upwards take?
30 days but is accelerated in certain skin disease such as psoriasis
What does thee filamentous cytoskeleton of each keratinocyte comprise off?
-Actin containing microfilaments -Tubulin containing microtubules -Intermediate filaments containing keratin
What are the 5 roles of keratin?
-Structural properties -Cell signalling -Stress response -Apoptosis -Wound healing
What are desmosomes?
-Major adhesion complex in epidermis -Anchor keratin intermediate filaments to cell membrane and bridge adjacent keratinocytes -Allow cells to withstand trauma
What are the different cell junction between Keratinocytes and what are there functions?
GAP JUNCTIONs: - contain cluster of intercellular channels called connexons -directly form connections between cytoplasm of adjacent keratinocytes -essential for cell synchronisation, cell differentiation, cell growth, and metabolic conditions ADHERENS junction: -Transmembrane structures -Engage with actin skeleton and hold the actin fibres together TIGHT junctions: -Play a role in barrier integrity and cell polarity
What are the other 4 cell types in the epidermis?
MELANOCYTES: -Dendritic -Distribute melanin pigament(in melanosomes) to keratinocytes LANGERHAMS: -dendritic-for immune surveillance -antigen presenting cells MARKELL CELLS: -mechanisensory receptors MAST CELLS: -role in allergic reaction
Describe the basement membrane?
-under epidermal -made of proteins and glycoproteins including collage 4 and 7, laminin and integrins
What are the 2 functions of the basement membrane ?
-Cell migration -Cell adhesion
What is the structure of the dermis?
PAPILLARY DERMIS(UPPER): -Superficial -loose connective tissue -vascular RETICULAR DERMIS: -Deep -Dense connective tissue -Forms the bulk of the dermis -less vascular supply
What is the dermis made of?
-80-85% = type 1 and 3 collagen -Elastic fibres-2-4% (elastin and fibrilin) -Glycoproteins-facilitate cell adhesion and cell motility -Ground substance between the collagen and elastic tissue -made of glycosaminoglycan/proteoglycan
What is the primary cell found in the dermis?
FIBROBLASTS-synthesises connective tissue
What other cells are present in the dermis?
Histiocytes-immune cells Mast cells Neutrophils Lymphocytes Dermal dendritic cells
describe the vascular supply of the skin?
Blood supply-composed of deep and superficial vascular plexus that so not cross into the epidermis
What 2 tyoes of fibres innervate the skin?
senosory AUTONOMIC INNERVATION of the skin by: ADRENERGIC fibres-innervate ECCRINE and APOCRINE glands(sweat glands that secrete substances by emptying them into a hair follicle) CHOLINERGIC fibres- which innervate the ECCRINE glands in the skin(sweat glands that secrete through a duct onto skin surface)
What is a pilosebaceous unit?
Hair follicle
What muscles are found in the skin?
Arrector pili muscles/arteroles/shunts
How many afferent nerve fibres are in the skin?
One million
What is the structure of nerves in the skin?
BRANCHING NETWORK often occompanying blood vessels to form a MESHG OF INTERLACING NERVES in superficial dermis
Which body parts have more innervation?
Face, extremities and genetilia
How do afferent nerves terminate?
CORPUSCULAR encapsulated nerve ending receptors (dermis) FREE non-encapsulated receptors (epidermis)
What specific nerve receptors are in the dermis?
MEISSNERS CORPUSCLE: -encapsulated -unmyelinated -mechanoreceptors -senses low frequency stimulation at level of the DERMAL PAPILLA -most concentrated in thick hairless skin(finger pads and lips) RUFFINI CORPUSCULE: -Slow acting mechanoreceptor -sensitive to skin stretch -Deeper in the dermis -Spindle shaped -high density around the fingernails -Monitor the slippage of objects PACINIAN CORPUSCLE: -encapsulated -Rapidly adapting mechanoreceptor -Deep pressure and vibration -vibrational role in detecting surface textures -most concentrated in the hands and the feet
What are the receptors in the epidermis?
MERKEL RECEPTOR: -Non-encapsulated -Mechanoreceptor -Light and sustained touch/pressure detection -Oval shaped -In modified epidermal cells-stratum basale directly above the basement membrane -Most populous in fingertips -Also in palms, sores, oral and genital mucosa
What is the microbiome?
gentetic content of the microbioto-bacteria, fungi, and viruses
How much bacteria do we have on the skin?
1 million bacteria/cm2 skin
What are the predominant bacteria on the skin?
-Actinobacteria(including propionibacteria and corynebacteria) -Firmicutes(Clostridia and Bacilli strahylococcus), Bacteroidetes and proteobacteria