Intro to Derm

Question 1

Define the components of the skin

Answer 1

Epidermis, dermis, appendages, and subcutaneous fat

Question 2

List the layers of the epidermis in ascending order

Answer 2

Basal Cell, Stratum Spinosum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Corneum

Question 3

List the function of each epidermal layer

Answer 3

Basal Cell - Undifferentiated proliferating cells (baby cells)

Stratum Spinosum - Keratinocytes produce keratin (fibrous protein that is the major component of the Stratum Corneum)

Stratum Granulosum - Where cell differentiation occurs. Cells acquire more keratin and flatten. This layer acts as “glue” holding the Stratum Corneum cells together

Stratum Corneum - Major physical barrier. Cells are large, flat and filled with keratin. Cells are stacked in vertical layers and vary in thickness dependent on location. Cells die and shed here

Question 4

Identify the components found within the dermis

Answer 4

Nerves, blood vessels, collagen and elastic fibers, and skin appendages

Question 5

List the function of each component found in the dermis

Answer 5

Eccrine Sweat Glands - Regulate body temperature, excrete sweat onto the skin surface.

Apocrine Sweat Glands - No useful purpose, responsible for body odor

Hair Follicle - Protective and decorative

Sebaceous Glands - Produce oily substance (sebum).

Nails - Made of keratin

Question 6

Describe a Macule

Answer 6

Flat skin lesion that is different color than the surrounding skin (I.e. freckles)

Question 7

Define Langer’s Lines and their utilization

Answer 7

Skin tension lines, used to guide (when doing procedures) to produce the strongest scar and provide a better cosmetic outcome

Question 8

What are Dermatomes?

Answer 8

Areas of skin supplied by branches of spinal sensory nerve roots (transmits sensation)

Question 9

Classify skin types according to the Fitzpatrick Skin Type Classification

Answer 9

1: Pale white skin, blue/green eyes, blond/red har - always burns, does not tan
2: Fair skin, blue eyes - Burns easily, tans poorly
3. Darker white skin - Tans after initial burn
4. Light brown skin - Burns minimally, tans easily
5. Brown skin - Rarely burns, tans darkly easily
6. Dark brown of black skin - Never burns, always tans darkly

Question 10

Define a Papule

Answer 10

Small raised skin lesions (I.e. raised mole, pimple)

Question 11

Define Alopecia

Answer 11

Partial or complete hairloss

Question 12

Define Comodones

Answer 12

Descriptive acne term.
Open Comodones = Blackheads
Closed Comodones = Whiteheads

Question 13

Define a Vesicle

Answer 13

Blister filled with clear fluid that is &laquo_space;0.5cm

Question 14

Define a Bullae

Answer 14

Blister filled with clear fluid that is&raquo_space; 0.5cm

Question 15

Define a Pustule

Answer 15

Raised lesion filled with purulent or cloudy fluid

Question 16

Define a Wheal

Answer 16

A lesion of dermal edema (I.e. hives) with subtle elevation (speed bump)

Question 17

Define a Nodule

Answer 17

Raised, hard “marble”. Diameter and depth >0.5cm

Question 18

Define an Ulcer

Answer 18

Skin defect that completely erodes the epidermis and part of the dermis

Question 19

Define a Lichenification

Answer 19

Epidermal thickening, visible and palpable, exaggerated skin markings. Coat of armor from chronic inflammation or trauma, “alligator skin”

Question 20

Define a Polyp

Answer 20

Soft fleshy raised growth (I.e. skin tag)

Question 21

Define a Fissure

Answer 21

Linear tear in the epidermis (I.e. crack)

Question 22

Define Scale

Answer 22

Visibly thickened Stratum Corneum, dry appearance

Question 23

Define Crust

Answer 23

Dried liquid on the surface of the skin (I.e. scab)

Question 24

Define Atrophy

Answer 24

Loss of skin tissue

Epidermal - skin appears thin and shiny

Dermal - detectable depression

Question 25

Define Plaque

Answer 25

Elevated but lacking significant depth. Diameter is >0.5cm

Question 26

Define Telangectasia

Answer 26

Enlarged superficial blood vessels (I.e. red lines or broken blood vessels)

Question 27

Define Depigmentation

Answer 27

Complete loss of pigment, destruction of melanocytes

Question 28

Define Hypopigmentation

Answer 28

Partial loss of pigment

Question 29

Define Hyperpigmentation

Answer 29

Excess pigment

Question 30

Define Pruritis

Answer 30

Sensation of itching

Question 31

Define Excoriation

Answer 31

The act of picking or scratching

Question 32

What are the cervical dermatomes?

Answer 32

C2 - Head and neck
C3 - Head and neck
C4 - Neck
C5 - Neck
C6 - Thumb
C7 - Middle finger
C8 - Little finger

Question 33

What are the thoracic dermatomes?

Answer 33

T1 - Inner forearm
T2 - Upper inner forearm
T3 - Middle of the back (dorsal)
T4 - Level of the nipples
T5 - mid Chest and back
T6 - Chest/rib area
T7 - Upper section between the xiphoid process and the belly button
T8 - Halfway down from the level of the xiphoid process to the level of the belly button
T9 - From the middle section of the xiphoid process to the belly button
T10 - Level of the belly button (umbilicus)
T11 - Between the level of the belly button and the groin (inguinal ligament)
T12 - The midpoint of the groin

Question 34

What are the lumbar dermatomes?

Answer 34

L1 - The hip and groin area
L2 - The inside of the thigh
L3 - Knee
L4 - The inside part of the ankle bone (medial malleolus)
L5 - Bottom of the foot and toes 1-3

Question 35

What are the sacral dermatomes?

Answer 35

S1 - Toes 4 and 5, and the outside part of the ankle bone (lateral malleolus)
S2 - The lateral portion of the calcaneus
S3 - The middle portion of the buttocks, perianal area, penis and scrotum
S4 - The skin over the perianal area (with S5), the perianal areas, and the genitals
S5 - The skin over the perianal area (with S4) and the skin immediately at and next to the anus

Question 36

What are the coccyx dermatome(s)?

Answer 36

1 coccygeal nerve that originates in the spinal cord and emerges at the level of the tail bone (coccyx)