lecture 1 - skin histology Flashcards
What are the 3 key layers of the skin?
Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
What are the 4 key functions of the skin?
Protective, biomechanical synthesis, temperature homeostasis, sensation
What type of tissue makes up the epidermis?
Stratified epithelium
What is the predominant cell in the epidermis?
Keratinocytes
What is the function of langerhans cells in the skin?
Immune function
What is the function of merkel cells in the epidermis?
Sensory nerve endings
What is the function of melanocytes in the epidermis?
Produce melanin pigment
What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?
Superficial to deep: stratum corneum, stratum lucidum (thick skin only), stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, stratum basale
What is the main function of the stratum basale?
epidermal cellular proliferation via keratinocyte stem cells.
What does the stratum basale sit on that seperates the epidermis from the dermis?
Basement membrane
What is the name for the protrusions of the epidermis into the dermis?
Epidermal/Rete pegs
What is the name for the protrusions of the dermis into the epidermis?
Dermal papillae
What are the 2 components of the basal lamina of the dermal-epidermal junction?
lamina lucida, lamina densa
What do the basal keratinocytes of the epidermis contain?
Melanosomes, keratin tonofilaments
What connects keratinocytes together in the epidermis?
Desmosomes
What connect basal keratinocytes to the basal lamina?
Hemidesmosomes
What is the function of desmosomes in the epidermis?
Connects keratinocytes together to provide tensile strength
What is the shape of cells in the stratum granulosum?
Flattened
What feature of the stratum granulosum helps to form the water barrier of the skin?
Keratocyte hyaline granules - produce hydrophobic glycophospholipids
What substance is found in large amounts amongst the cells in the stratum corneum?
Keratin