Integumentary System Flashcards
Blood flow through the superficial capillary beds of the dermis affects the color of skin and can provide important clues for diagnosing certain celinical conditions. Why would the skin be blue?
Cyanosis due to blood not carrying enough oxygen, circulation not sending adequate amount of blood through the lungs, or person stopped breathing
Why does cyanosis happen
Oxygen carrying hemoglobin of blood appears bright red when carrying oxygen and purplish blue when not carrying oxygen
Where is cyanosis most evident
Skin thin such as lips, eyelids, nails
Why may you get erythema
Exposure to excess heart, infection, inflammation or allergic reactions cause the superficial capillary beds to become engorged
Why may skin be yellow
Bilirubin builds up in the blood
Is it easier to tell skin color changes in white people of black people
White
Do skin incisions parallel or to tension lines or ones that cross tension lines heal better
Parallel! Uninterrupted fibers tend to retain the cut edges in place
Lacerations aacross tension lines disrupt more collagen fibers, which force hte wound to gape and may heal with excessive scaring (keloid )
Surgeons tend to cut in parallel to tension lines except when
Unless something of greater importance like nerves
Describe the dermis
Collagen and elastic fibers in the dermis form a tough, flexible mesh work of tissue.the skin can distend a lot, so small incisions only necessary for surgery (as opposed to large one needed in embalmed cadaver)
What happens with fast size increases, such as abdominal weight gain accompanying pregnancy
Stretch and damage collagen causing stretch markers
What are stretch marks called during pregnancy and outside pregnancy
Pregnancy-L stria gravidarum
Outside-L striae cutis distensae-obese (hypercortisolism or cushing)
Stretch marks occur along with distension and loosening of deep fascia. Why?
Protein breakdown leading to reduced cohesion between collagen fibers
What is a laceration
Accidental cuts and skin tears are superficial or deep
Superficial laceration
Epidermis and maybe superficial dermis
Deep laceration
Penetrate the deep layer of the dermis , extending into subcutaneous tissue or beyond
Gape-suturing or stitches