Physiology Flashcards
Name the 3 main layers of the skin from outside inwards
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutis
What is the epidermis
Outer layer of stratified squamous epithelium
What is the dermis
Layer of connective tissue beneath the epidermis
What is found between the epidermis and dermis
Dermo-epidermal junction
What is the subcutis
The fat layer beneath the dermis
Where does epidermis originate from embryonically
Ectodermal germ layer
Where does the dermis originate from originally
Mesoderm germ layer
Where do melanocytes originate from
The neural crest
What happens to the skin in week 4 of development
Differentiation into periderm, basal layer and dermis
What happens to the skin in week 16 of development
Formation of layers: keratin, granular, prickle cell, basal
Melanocytes migrate from the neural crest
By what time is the skin fully formed during development
26 weeks
What are blaschko’s lines
Developmental growth pattern of skin thought to represent pathways of cell migration during fetal development
What are the 4 layers of the epidermis
Keratin
Granular
Prickle cell
Basal
What controls epidermal turnover
Growth factors, cell death and hormones
Role of the basal layer of the epidermis
Epidermal renewal and regeneration
Contains melanocytes for protection from UV
The 3 main types of cells in the basal layer of the epidermis
Basal cells
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
What are basal cells
Columna or cuboidal cells that undergo rapid mitotic divisions to produce new keratinocytes
Structure of the basal layer of the epidermis
Usually one cell thick
Structure of the prickle cell layer of the epidermis
Larger polyhedral cells
Lots of desmosomes
Intermediate filaments connect to desmosomes
What cells are found in the prickle cell layer of the epidermis
Prickle cell
Keratinocytes
Langerhans cells
2 main function of the prickle cell layer of the epidermis
Structural support and immune function
Structure of the granular layer of the epidermis
2-3 layers of flatter cells
What cells are found in the granular layer of the epidermis
Keratinocytes
Keratohyalin granules
Odland bodies
What are odland bodies
Secretory organelles that contribute to skin barrier
What do keratohyalin granules contain
Filaggrin
Natural moisturising factor
Role of filaggrin
Binds to keratin intermediate filaments promoting aggregation and cross linking
What do odland bodies secrete
Keratohyalin granules
Role of the keratin layer of the epidermis
Tight waterproof barrier
Main cellular component of keratin layer
Corneocytes
What are corneocytes
Flattened non-viable cells that have undergone keratinisation, transforming them into tough and resilient structures
Posh name for keratin layer
Stratum corneum
Posh name for granular layer
Stratum granulosum
Posh name for prickle cell layer
Stratum spinosum
Posh name for basal layer
Stratum basale
What are melanocytes
Pigment producing dendritic cells
Role of melanosomes
Convert tyrosine to melanin pigment
What are the 2 melanin pigments
Eumelanin
Phaeomelanin
What is the role of melanin
Absorbs UV rays to protect DNA in the cells nuclei
What gene is important skin pigmentation
MC1R gene
Risk associated with mutation in MC1R gene
Most vulnerable to sun exposure
What does 1 defective copy of MC1R causes
Ginger hair
What does 2 defective copies of the MC1R gene cause
Ginger hair and freckles
Characteristics of darker skin
Larger melanosomes containing more melanin
More Eumelanin
Melanosomes exist through the epidermis
Characteristics of fairer skin
Smaller amounts of melanin
More phaeomelanin
Melanosomes confined to the basal layer in unexposed skin
Where do langerhans cells come from
The bone marrow
Role of langerhans cells
Antigen presenting cells
Where are langerhans cells found (3)
Prickle cell layer of the epidermis
Dermis
Lymph nodes
Where are merkel cells found
Basal layer of the epidermis
What is the role of a merkel cell
Mechanoreceptors
Role of masticatory oral mucosa
Keratinised to deal with friction and pressure
Role of the dermo-epidermal junction
Support and anchorage of basal cells
Semi-permeable membrane acting as a barrier and a filter
Cells found in the dermis
Fibroblasts
Macrophages
Mast cells
Lymphocytes
Langerhans cells
Role of fibroblasts in the dermis
Maintain ground substance
Produce collagen
Fibres found in the dermis
Collagen and elastin
Difference in the dermis in different skin types
Caucasian skin has a thinner dermis and bigger collagen fibres
AA skin has larger and more numerous fibroblasts
Organisation of blood vessels in the dermis
Horizontal plexuses
Name 2 special nervous receptors found in the dermis
Meissners corpuscle
Pacinian corpuscle
Where are meissners corpuscles abundantly found
Tactile areas of fingers and toes
What do meissners corpuscles detect
Tactile stimuli, light touch
What do pacinian corpuscles detect
Pressure
Where are pain receptors located in the skin
Basal layer of the epidermis
Role of collagen and elastic fibres in the dermis
Provide tensile strength and elastic qualities of skin
Name the 3 types of skin glands
Eccrine
Sebaceous
Apocrine
What do sebaceous glands produce
Sebum
What is sebum associated with
Acne
Where are sebaceous glands usually found
Chest, face, back
Functions of sebaceous gland (3)
Control moisture loss
Protect against fungal infection
Lubricate hair follicle
Sebaceous gland
Holocrine secretion opening into pilary canal
What is an apocrine gland
Develop as part of the philosebaceous unit
Where are apocrine glands found
Axillae, groin, eyelids, mammary and perineal regions
Role of apocrine glands
Produce oily fluid
What are apocrine glands dependent on
Androgens
Where are eccrine glands found
EVERYWHERE
particularly palms, soles, forehead and axilla
Role of eccrine glands (3)
Filtration
Cooling by evaporation
Moistens palms and soles for grip
What causes eccrine gland stimulation
Mental, thermal and gustatory stimulation