Skin Flashcards

1
Q

Recall points for ‘skin’

A
Intro 
Epidermis 
Dermis 
Features of skin 
Glands
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2
Q

What is the skin ?

A

The largest organ in the body which contains its own nerve and blood supply

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3
Q

Why is the skin important clinically ?

A
  • First organ you notice in a patient
  • It has its own pathology
  • It can provide evidence of underlying conditions
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4
Q

Examples of pathology of the skin

A

Sunburn
Acne
Eczema
Melanoma

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5
Q

Example of underlying conditions which can be seen in the skin

A

liver disease

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6
Q

What are the functions of the skin ?

A

Immune surveillance
UV protection
Energy store
Sensory information

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7
Q

What are the two layers of the skin ?

A

Epidermis

Dermis

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8
Q

What is the basic function of the epidermis ?

A

Prevents water loss from the surface through evaporation

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9
Q

What is the basic function of the dermis ?

A

Reduced risk of external injury
Maintains epidermis by its blood supply
permits body cooling

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10
Q

What is the hypodermis ?

A

Layer found under the dermis but not skin as it is just adipose tissue.

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11
Q

What is the function of the hypodermis ?

A

Anchors skin to underlying structures

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12
Q

Describe the significance of the thickness of the epidermis

A

Thickens varies around the body depending on the function.

Skin is thick on the hands while it is thin on the abdomen.

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13
Q

Which layers of the skin vary the most in thickness?

A

Stratum corneum and the dermis.

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14
Q

What are the names of the 4 cells found in the epidermis ?

A

Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Langerhans cells
Merkel cells

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15
Q

Describe the role of Keratinocytes in the epidermis of the skin

A

Most frequent, contains keratin, is hard and resistant to abrasion.
Extruding lipids mean that it is water proof.
Continually dividing to repair from damage

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16
Q

Describe the role of Melanocytes in the epidermis of the skin

A

Pigment formation

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17
Q

Describe the role of Langerhans cells in the epidermis of the skin

A

Immune surveillance

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18
Q

Describe the role of Merkel cells in the epidermis of the skin

A

Touch receptors

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19
Q

Name the 5 layer of the epidermis

A
Stratum corneum 
Stratum lucidum 
Stratum granulosum 
Stratum spinosum 
Stratum basale
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20
Q

Describe the Stratum corneum

A

no organelles, flat dead cells containing keratin

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21
Q

Describe the Stratum lucidum

A

Where keratohyalin is converted to keratin.

It has a 15-30 day turnover.

22
Q

Describe the Stratum granulosum

A

contains granules that are made of keratohyalin

23
Q

Describe the Stratum spinosum

A

Preparation layer for keratinisation

24
Q

Describe the Stratum basale

A

Contains tall columnar cells interspersed with melanocytes and Merkel cells,.
It is bound to BM by hemidesmosomes and forms an irregular interface with the dermis creates dermal papillae which strengthens the join between the two layers.

25
Q

What is kertinisation ?

A

Organic process whereby keratin is deposited in cells and these become horny as in dead skin, nails, hair

26
Q

What are the names of the two layers of the dermis ?

A

The papillary layer

The reticular layer

27
Q

Describe the papillary layer

A

it contains loose connective tissue and cells such as macrophages.
It has an irregular interface with the epidermis.

28
Q

What are the functions of the papillary layer?

A
  • Protects against pathogens
  • Contains blood vessels for thermoregulation
  • Contains nerve endings which allow the skin to be a sense organ
29
Q

Describe the reticular layer

A

It is a layer of dense tissue which contains elastic fibres which are found in three planes to skin the skin support. The elastic fibres are then lost in old age

30
Q

List the features of skin

A
Colour 
Hair 
Nails
Sense organ
Thermoregulation 
Glands
31
Q

Describe the skin feature of colour

A

Skin colour depends on the flow of blood through it and the carotene consumed in the diet.
The skin colour also is dependant on the melanin found in it which protects against UV.

32
Q

Which layer is hair derived from ?

A

Epithelial layer

33
Q

What is the practical use of hair ?

A

Used in skin repair

34
Q

How does a hair follicle develop ?

A

A hair follicle is formed by the downward growth of epithelial cells. This follicle is then invaded by blood vessels and the hair begins to grow

35
Q

What are two important structural features of the skin ?

A
  • The arrector pili muscle

- Sebaceous glands

36
Q

Describe the arrector pili muscle

A

This is a muscle which is attached to the follicle root and base epidermis. It is at an angle and when it contracts it pulls the hair straight.

37
Q

Describe the sebaceous gland

A

A sebaceous gland forms between the follicle and the arrector pili muscle. It secretes sebum and its function is uncertain.

38
Q

What is a nail plate made of ?

A

Keratin

39
Q

What part of the finger does a nail plate grow out of?

A

A nail bed

40
Q

What is the nail bed made of ?

A

Specialised epithelium which has the same four layers are the normal epithelial. Here the stratum corneum is the nail plate.

41
Q

What is another name for the cuticle ?

A

The eponychium

42
Q

Describe the eponychium

A

Thickened layer of skin surrounding the fingernails and toenails which functions to protect the area between the nail and epidermis from exposure to bacteria

43
Q

What is the hyponychium ?

A

The area of epithelial particularly the thickened portion underlying the free edge of the nail plate

44
Q

What are the four types of sensory receptor found in the skin

A
1. Meissner’s corpuscles -
light touch - fingertips
2. Paccinian corpuscles -
vibration & pressure
3. Pain receptors
4. Thermoreceptors
45
Q

The skin is used for thermoregulation. What things allow for this regulation ?

A

Sweat glands
Blood vessel dilation
Hair

46
Q

There are glands in the skin. What are the two types ?

A

Sebaceous

Sweat glands

47
Q

Describe sebaceous glands

A

Hair follicles
Holocrine glands
Secretes sebum

48
Q

Describe sweat glands

A

Eccrine - Normal

Apocrine - Pubic

49
Q

What are the structural features of sweat glands ?

A
Simple tubular glands 
Located in the dermis 
Coiled secretory portion 
Coiled and straight duct in dermis 
Spiral channel in epidermis 
Watery secretion 
Thermoregulation
50
Q

What kind of cells makes up the epidermis the of the skin ?

A

Stratified squamous epithelial

51
Q

What kind of cell make up the stratum basel of the skin?

A

Tall columnar epithelium

52
Q

What kind of tissue is the dermis of the skin ?

A

Loose connective tissue