Histology: Skin Flashcards
What are the layers of the skin?
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutis
What color does the epidermis stain?
Blue
What color does the dermis stain?
Mostly pink due to the collagen
What makes up the epidermis?
Mostly keratinocytes which makes up the most superficial layer of skin
What are the layers of the epidermis?
- Stratum Corneum
- Stratum Lucidum
- Stratum Granulosum
- Stratum Spinosum
- Stratum Basale
Where is the only place the stratum lucidumis found?
Acral areas - thick skin like on the hands and the soles of the feet
What is found in the stratum granulosum?
Cells contain keratinohyaline granules that stain purple
Where do SCCs arise from?
Stratum Spinosum
Where do BCCs arise from?
Stratum Basale
Where is thin skin found?
Everywhere in the body except acral areas
Where is thick skin found?
Hands and soles of feet
How long does it take for cells to go from the basal layer to the corneal layer?
25 days - this will be decreased in inflammatory conditions
What connects keratinocytes to each other?
Desmosomes
What connects keratinocytes to the basement membrane?
Hemidesmosomes
What is the function of melanocytes?
Produce melanin which is used by the keratinocytes over their nuclei to shield from UV damage
What are the benign neoplasms of melanocytes?
Nevi
Dermis
Everything below the dermal epidermal junction and contains connective tissue - mostly type I collagen
What are the 2 layers of the dermis?
- Papillary
- Reticular
Papillary Dermis
Capillaries and Meissner’s corpuscles can be found within it
What are major types of fibers that the dermis is comprised of?
- Collagen Type I
- Elastic Fibers
Holocrine Secretion
Entire cell collapses to form the secretion
Subcutis
Deep to the dermis and is made of loose connective tissue that contains adipose tissue, nerves, sensory receptors, arteries and veins.
