Skin Flashcards
What is alopecia areata?
Autoimmune attack against hair follicles which causes hair loss.
What are the 2 types of skin cancer?
basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma
What are the 4 layers of the epidermis from outer to inner?
stratum corneum(horny layer), granular layer, prickle cell layer and basal layer
Classify the epithelium of skin
Keratinised stratified squamous
What are the alternative names for the 4 epidermis layers?
horny layer(stratum corneum), stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum and stratum basale
What protein is abundant in the skin and in which cells is it synthesised?
Keratin
Keratinocytes
What cells do keratinocytes differentiate into in the granular layer?
Corneocytes
What are melanocytes?
Dendrite cells of natural crest origin which occur at intervals along the basal layer and produce melanin.
What are Langerhans cells?
Dendrite cells of bone marrow origin which are scattered throughout the prickle cell layer and present antigens to T lymphocytes.
What is psoriasis?
Extreme proliferation of the basal layer and gross thickening of the prickle cell layer which produces excessive stratum corneum.
The cause is unknown.
What are keloids?
An excess of scar tissue production following wounding.
What causes port wine stain?
A congenital malformation of dermal blood vessels.
What is hyperhidrosis?
Increased sweating (usually of palms and soles)
What are the functions of the skin?
barrier, sensation and thermoregulation
What is vitiligo?
Autoimmune destruction of melanocytes that results in depigmentation of the skin. Often symmetrical in the body.
