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Dermatology > Introduction to Dermatology: Structure and function of the skin > Flashcards

Introduction to Dermatology: Structure and function of the skin Flashcards

1
Q

what is skin?

A

Largest organ in the body
Contains adnexal structures
Hair, nails, glands, sensory structures
Important role in protection, homeostasis and transmission of sensations

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2
Q

describe the anatomy of skin?

A
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3
Q
A
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4
Q

describe the anatomy of nail?

A
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5
Q

what is anagen hair phase?

A

active growing phase
80-90% of hair

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6
Q

what is catagen hair phase?

A

2–3 week phase growth stops/follicle shrinks
1–3% of hairs

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7
Q

what is telogen hair phase?

A

resting phase for 1–4 months
up to 10% of hairs in a normal scalp

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8
Q

what is the function of the skin?

A

Thermoregulation
Insulation, Heat transfer

Skin immune system
Innate and Adaptive functions

Barrier
Protects against Mechanical, Chemical, microorganisms, Ultraviolet light
Keeps in water and Electrolytes, Macromolecules

Sensation
Temperature, touch and pain

Vitamin D synthesis
UV light converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to cholecalciferol

Interpersonal Communication
Physical appearance, smell, self -identity

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9
Q

why is skin disease important?

A

Disfigurement
Discomfort
Disability
Depression
Death

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10
Q

what are external causes of skin disease?

A

Temperature, UV, chemical (allergen or irritant), infection, trauma

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11
Q

what are internal causes of skin disease?

A

Systemic disease, genetics, drugs, infection

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12
Q

what is photosensitivity?

A

Commonly caused by medications
Exposed sites affected
Can be sensitive to UVA, UVB, visible light or a combination of these.

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13
Q

what are examples of cold injury?

A

Frostbite, Chilblains
Skin Necrosis

Cold Urticaria

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14
Q

what is an example of trauma to the skin that is self inflicted?

A

Dermatitis Artefacta

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15
Q

how are skin lesions described?

A

Macule Small flat circumscribed area Patch Larger flat circumscribed area

Papule Small raised area
Plaque Larger Raised area

Vesicle Small Fluid filled
Bulla Large Fluid filled

Pustule Small Pus filled
Abscess Large Pus filled

Erosion Loss of Epidermis
Ulcer Loss of Epidermis and dermis

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16
Q

what is macule?

A

Non-palpable change in skin color with distinct borders

17
Q

what is papule?

A

Palpable, solid lesion less than 1 cm in diameter

18
Q

what is plaque?

A

Palpable, solid lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter

19
Q

what is a nodule?
give examples

A

Palpable, lesion more than 1 cm in diameter which is taller than it is wide
Neurofibromatosis
Rheumatoid Nodules

20
Q

what is a vesicle?

A

Fluid-containing, superficial, thin-walled cavity less than 1 cm

21
Q

what is a bulla?

A

Fluid-containing ,superficial, thin-walled cavity greater than 1 cm

22
Q

what is an erosion?

A

A skin defect where there has been loss of the epidermis only

23
Q

what is an ulcer?

A

A skin defect where there has been loss of the epidermis and dermis

24
Q

what is a pustule?

A

Pus containing, superficial, thin-walled cavity

25
Q

what is an abscess?

A

Thick-walled cavity containing pus

26
Q

The distribution of a dermatosis refers to how the skin lesions are scattered or spread out.
Skin lesions may be isolated (solitary or single) or multiple.
The localisation of multiple lesions in certain regions helps diagnosis, as skin diseases tend to have characteristic distributions.

A
27
Q

Acanthosis Nigricans

A

Associated with insulin resistance, obesity, malignancy
Flexural distribution
Hyperkeratosis and Hyperpigmentation, papules
‘velvety’ appearance

28
Q

thyroid skin disease?

A

Pretibial myxoedema
5% of Graves Disease
Same process behind eyes – mucinosis

Other skin changes seen in both hyper and hypothyroidism

29
Q

what investigations are offered in dermatology?

A

Charcoal swab

Ask for MC&S
Microscopy
Culture
Sensitivities

30
Q

if viral infection is suspected what tests should be done?

A

Viral swab for PCR
Can swab vesicle/bulla if vesicular eruption
If systemic illness, can take throat swab

31
Q

if fungal infection is suspected what tests should be done?

A

Skin scraping
Nail clipping
Hair sample
Fungal cultures

32
Q

what is a simple way to take a skin biopsy?

A

punch biopsy

Dermatology (4 decks)

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