Skin Flashcards
Name some of the functions of the skin…
- Largest organ of the body
- Protective barrier against environmental insults
- Temperature and water loss regulation
- Sensation
- Vitamin D synthesis
- Appearance
Name the 3 layers of the skin…
- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Subcutaneous
What does this term mean in relation to skin:
‘Macule’
Macule
Means a flat area of altered colour
What does this term mean in relation to skin:
‘Patch’
Patch
Means a flat area of altered colour or texture
What does this term mean in relation to skin:
‘Plaque’
Plaque
Means a feel-able (palpable) scaling raised lesion
What does this term mean in relation to skin:
Nodule
Nodule
Means a solid raised lesion with a deeper componant that plaques
What is the difference between a Vesicle and a Bulla?
They are both raised clear fluid filled lesions. But a vesicle is less than 0.5cm in diameter and a bulla is more.
Name some benign lesions that can appear on skin?
- Skin tags
- Moles
- Cysts
- Papillomas
Are these lesions benign or malignant?
- Skin tags
- Moles
- Cysts
- Papollomas
These conditions are all benign
What are Fibroepithelial Polyps
They are common benign skin lesions. Occur in middle aged/older people. Show in the neck, trunk, face, axilla and groin. Flesh coloured bag like lesions.
What condition appears most in middle aged and older people and are flesh coloured bad like lesions?
Fibroepithelial polyps
What’s a Naevi?
It’s a birthmark/ mole. Caused by proliferation of melanocytes (pigment producing cells). They can happen in many layers of the skin causing different looking moles. (junctional, compound and intradermal)
What clinical term is given to encompass 2 types of cysts that come from infolding of epithelium.
Sebaceous cyst
Encompasses: epidermoid cyst and pilar cyst
What is Seborrhoeic Keratosis?
It’s a wart/mole that appears in older people as a sign of skin ageing. They arise spontaneously and appear on the trunk, head and neck.
What skin problem causes benign vascular tumours of the dermis that produce a bluey red boil like surface.
Also tend to occur in children.
Haemangioma
What’s a Hermangioma
(hint: Haem - blood = RED)
Bluey red boil like benign tumour of the dermis that appears in children
Name some malignant skin lesions…
- Basal Cell Cercinoma (BCC)
- Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- Bowen’s disease
- Melanoma
True or false…
Bowen’s disease is a benign skin lesion?
FALSE
Bowen’s disease is malignant
What is the most common human cancer, that has slow growing tumours that rarely metastesize. They occur at sun exposed sites.
BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
What is BASAL CELL CARCINOMA
It’s a malignant condition. But it slowly grows and rarely metastasises. Occur’s in sun exposed sites.
Most common human cancer.
What is the most common human cancer?
Basal cell carcinoma
Slowly grows, rarely metastasises, occurs in sun exposed sites.
What is Bowen’s Disease?
It’s a malignant condition which is a precursor to Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Is a result of sun damage and causes epidermal dysplasia.
What condition is a precursor to Squamous cell carcinoma?
Bowen’s disease
Result of sun damage
What skin cancer is the second commonest skin tumour of sun exposed sites in older people?
Squamous cell carcinoma
bowen’s disease is the predisposition- caused by sun damage
What is the name of the skin cancer that is fairly common, arises from sun damaged skin and can be very aggressive and spread widely.
MELANOMA
Used to be fatal but early diagnosis means can be removed.
What are some signs of melanoma (a-e)
A - asymmetry B - Border irregularity C - Colour variable pigmentation in lesion D - Diameter (mostly above 6mm) E - Enlarged (grows)
What is a rash in the most basic sense?
It’s an inflammatory skin reaction. For example Eczema
What’s eczema?
It’s an inflammatory skin reaction (rash) which literally mean to ‘boil over’.
Causes: Itching, burning, rash, blisters.
What skin condition commonly affects elbows, knees, scalp, lumbosacral area and glans penis.
Displays as well demarcated, salmon pink plaques with silver scaling.
PSORIASIS
Can also be associated with nail changes, arthritis, myopathy, enteropathy and spondylic joint disease.
What skin condition is caused by a mite?
Scabies
Caused by the ‘human scabies mite’
What condition do these symptoms describe?
- Unwell
- Deteriorates rapidly
- Non blanching rash
Meningitis
Give some examples of systemic conditions that can affect the skin…
- Meningitis
- SLE (Systemic lupus erythematosus)
- Internal Malignancy
