Skin Flashcards
which organ is the heaviest comprising 16% of body weight?
skin
what are the three layers of skin?
epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissues
what are the functions of skin?
- homeostasis
- provides boundaries for body fluids, protecting underlying tissues from microorganisms, harmful substances, and radiation
- Modulates body temperature and synthesizes vitamin D.
Thin and devoid of blood vessels and divided into outer horny layer and inner cellular layer. Depends on dermis for nutrition.
epidermis
Supplied with blood; Contains connective tissue, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and hair follicles
dermis
Fat layer
Hypodermis/Subcutaneous tissues
name the four pigments of skin
melanin, carotene, oxy and deoxyhemoglobin
the brownish pigment of the skin, genetically determined, increased by sunlight.
melanin
a golden yellow pigment that exists in subcutaneous fat and in heavily keratinized areas like palms and soles.
carotene
a bright red pigment, predominates in arteries and capillaries
oxyhemoglobin
darker somewhat bluer pigment from oxyhemoglobin losing its oxygen to the tissues. Increase causes cyanosis.
deoxyhemoglobin
name the two types of hair
vellus and terminal
short fine, inconspicuous, and relatively unpigmented. (arms)
vellus
coarser, thicker, more conspicuous, and usually pigmented (ex. Scalp hair and eyebrows).
terminal
what is the function of nails?
Protects the distal ends of the fingers and toes.
where do fingernails get their pinkish color?
underlying vascular nail bed
be able to identify the following: Lunula (whitish moon), proximal nail fold, cuticle, lateral nail fold.
at what rate do fingernails grow?
Fingernails grow 0.1 mm daily. Toenails grow more slowly.
what are the two basic types of glands?
sebaceous and sweat
what is the purpose of sebaceous glands?
produce a fatty substance that is secreted onto the skin surface through the hair follicles
where are sebaceous glands located?
Present on all skin surfaces except palms and soles
name the two types of sweat glands
eccrine and apocrine
______ glands: widely distributed and open directly onto the skin surface. Control body temperature.
eccrine
________ glands: found chiefly in axillary and genital regions, open onto hair follicles, and stimulated by emotional stress.
apocrine
what are the ABCDE of screening moles for melanoma?
A for Asymmetry
B for irregular borders, especially ragged, notched, or blurred
C for variation or change in color, especially blue or black
D for diameter > or equal to 6 mm or different from others, especially if changing, itching, or bleeding
E for elevation or enlargement
what is another term for a mole?
nevus
is this likely benign or malignant?
malignant
what are the 6 things you look for in a skin exam?
- color
- moisture
- temperature
- texture
- lesions
- mobility/turgor
what is a Café-Au-Lait Spot?
-A slightly but uniformly pigmented macule or patch with a somewhat irregular border -Usually 0.5-1.5 cm in diameter
6 or more cafe-au-lait spots each with a diameter > 1.5 cm suggests …….
neurofibromatosis
what is this and example of?
Café-Au-Lait Spot
what is vitiligo?
Depigmented macules appear on the face, hands, feet, extensor surfaces.
what is cyanosis?
bluish discoloration of the skin as a result of poor perfusion
what is jaundice and where can it be seen?
yellowing skin -Seen most easily and reliably in the sclera. -May also be seen in mucous membranes.
what can cause jaundice?
Causes include: liver disease and hemolysis of red blood cells.
what is Erythema and what is another name for it?
Red hue, increased blood flow, seen here as the “slapped cheeks” of “Fifth Disease”
what is psoriasis?
An immune-mediated disease that affects the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells.
how and where does psoriasis present?
Presents as silvery scaly lesions. Mainly on extensor surfaces. (Associated with strokes.)
what is eczema and what are the symptoms?
An allergic disease associated with asthma. -Include dryness and recurring skin rashes that are characterized by redness, skin edema (swelling), itching and dryness, crusting, flaking, blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding.
what are the characteristics of a Lupus-Malar Rash?
-red or purplish and mildly scaly rash in the shape of a butterfly across the face -Spares the nasolabial folds of the face -Macular with sharp edges and not itchy. present in approximately 46–65% of lupus sufferers