(PM3A) Skin Flashcards
What is the largest organ in the body?
The skin
How much of the human body mass does the skin comprise, as a percentage?
15%
How much water is lost through the skin everyday?
Give your answer as a volume.
Approximately 500mL
Name some key functions of the skin.
- Thermal insulation (from the fatty layer)
- Cutaneous sensation
- Metabolic functions
- Blood reservoir
How much of the body’s overall blood volume does the skin hold?
Approximately 5%
What is the integumentary system?
(1) A system which protects the body from damage
(2) It includes:
- Skin
- Sweat glands
- Oil glands
- Hairs
- Nails
What are the main layers of the skin?
(1) Epidermis
(2) Dermis
(3) Subcutaneous Tissue
What components of the skin comprise the epidermis?
(1) Stratum corneum
(2) Granular cell layer
(3) Spinous cell layer
(4) Basal cell layer
What components of the skin comprise the dermis?
(1) Sebaceous gland
(2) Erector pili muscle
(3) Sweat gland
(4) Nerves
(5) Hair follicle
(6) Collagen fibres
(7) Elastin fibres
What components of the skin comprise the subcutaneous tissue?
(1) Artery
(2) Vein
(3) Adipose tissue (fat)
Where does the stratum corneum thicken?
Load bearing areas
i.e. soles/ palms
What differs in the skin in load bearing areas?
The stratum corneum thickens
What happens when the stratum corneum is damaged?
(1) Damaged skin barrier
(2) Eczema
What happens when the stratum spinosa (spinous cell layer) goes wrong?
Spinous cell carcinoma
What happens when the stratum basale (basal cell layer) goes wrong?
(1) Hyper-proliferation (psoriasis)
(2) Basal cell carcinoma
How often does skin replace itself?
Every 28 days
How long does it take for the stratum basale to form the stratum corneum?
Approximately 14 days
What types of cell are within the epidermis?
(1) Keratinocytes
(2) Melanocytes
(3) Merkel cells
(4) Langerhan’s cells
What is a keratinocyte?
Cell within the epidermis
Produces keratin, a fibrous protein
Gives rise to protective properties
Produced in stratum basale layer
Dead, keratin-filled scale-like structures
Where are keratinocytes produced?
In the stratum basale layer
Where is keratin production increased in the body?
Areas with regular friction
e.g. palms and feet
What is a melanocyte?
Cell within the epidermis
Synthesises melanin - a pigment
What happens to the melanin produced by melanocytes?
Taken up by keratinocytes
Forms a pigment shield to protect nucleus from UV radiation
(1) Which cell produces melanin?
(2) Which layer is this in?
(1) Melanocyte
(2) Epidermis
What is a Merkel cell?
A sensory receptor for touch
Low-abundance cell
Have disc-like sensory nerve endings
Where are Merkel cells found?
In the epidermis of the skin
What is a Langerhan’s cell?
Dendritic cells which are produced in the bone marrow
Process microbial antigens
Become antigen-presenting cells (APCs)
Where are Langerhan’s cells found?
Epidermis of the skin
What is the largest component of the skin?
Dermis
What comprises the dermis?
Fibrous connective tissue
Richly supplied with nerve fibres, blood vessels, and lymphatic vessels
How many layers comprise the dermis?
Two
(1) Papillary
(2) Reticular
What is the papillary layer?
Layer within the skin (dermis)
Thin superficial layer
Produces structures like nipples and ridges, e.g. finger prints
Which layer of the skin gives rise to finger prints?
Papillary layer of the dermis
What is the reticular layer?
Dense + irregular connective tissue
Comprises 80% of the dermis thickness
Provides strength and resilience
Name 5 appendages of the skin.
(1) Hair
(2) Hair follicles
(3) Sweat glands
(4) Oil (sebaceous) glands
(5) Nails
How many types of sweat gland are there?
Two
(1) Eccrine
(2) Apocrine
Give another name for sudoriferous glands.
Sweat glands
What is an eccrine sweat gland?
Simple + coiled gland
Regulated by sympathetic autonomic nervous system
Prevents over-heating of the body
What is an apocrine sweat gland
Larger than eccrine sweat glands
Empty into hair follicles
Secretions contain sweat + fatty substances + proteins
How is odour produced on the skin?
Mixture of sweat, fatty substances, and proteins, with bacteria
Decomposes and produces odour
Describe the secretion pattern of an apocrine sweat gland.
Periodic
In bursts
Give another name for an oil gland.
Sebaceous gland
Where are oil/ sebaceous glands found?
All over the body
NOT palms or soles of feet
What do oil/ sebaceous glands produce?
Sebum
(1) What is the role of sebum?
(2) Where is it produced?
(1) Soften and lubricate skin and hair + bactericidal properties
(2) Oil/ sebaceous glands
How are oil/ sebaceous glands regulated?
Hormonal control
via androgens
What improves ease of administration through a nail?
Damage to nail - e.g. psoriasis
Define transdermal, as an administration route.
Through the skin
For systemic effect
Define local, as an administration route.
Effect close to site of administration
Define topical, as an administration route.
Effect on skin
Usually epidermis