Skin

Question 1

Name the 3 layers of the skin

Answer 1

EPIDERMIS: outermost layer, provides waterproof barrier and creates skin tone. DERMIS: beneath epidermis, contains tough connective tissue, hair follicles, sweat glands. SUBCUTANEOUS TISSUE: (hypodermis) fat, connective tissue.

Question 2

What aspect should you consider when taking a dermatological history?

Answer 2

Presenting complaint, History of complaint, Past med history, Family history, Social history, Medication / allergies, Impact on quality of life

Question 3

What are the stages of doing a derm exam?

Answer 3

INSPECT: general obs, site, number, pattern / DESCRIBE: size, colour, changes, morphology, border / PALPATE: surface, consistency mobility, tenderness, temp / SYSTEMATIC CHECK: nails, scalp, hair, mucous membranes

Question 4

Describe psoriasis

Answer 4

Red, flaky, crusty patches of skin covered with silvery scales. Patches on elbows, knees, scalp and lower back, can appear anywhere. Most with small patches, patches can be itchy/sore. Increased prod skin cells: normally made/replaced 3-4 weeks, psoriasis = 3-7 days = build-up of skin cells = patches. thought to be problem with immune system, attacks healthy skin cells by mistake.

Question 5

What is acne?

Answer 5

Sebaceous glands, near surface of skin, attached to hair follicles. lubricate hair + skin to stop it drying = prod an oily substance = sebum. too much = mixes with dead skin cells = plug in follicle. If plugged follicle is close to surface, it bulges creating whitehead. Alternatively, can be open to skin, creating blackhead. Normal harmless bacteria that live on skin can contaminate/infect plugged follicles = papules, pustules, nodules or cysts.

Question 6

Describe eczema

Answer 6

backs/fronts of knees, outside/inside of elbows, around neck, hands, cheeks, scalp. often very dry = unable to retain much moisture. skin more likely to react to certain triggers, causing it to become red and itchy: irritants, allergens, food allergies, certain material, hormonal changes, skin infections. may be born with an increased likelihood of developing atopic eczema because of genes

Question 7

What are the signs of inflammation?

Answer 7

Dolor (pain), Calor (heat), Rubor (redness), Tumor (swelling), Functio laesa (loss of function) pruritus (itching)

Question 8

List the functions of the skin

Answer 8

Protection, vit D synthesis, sensation, regulates temp, electrolyte and fluid balance, immunological

Question 9

The process of inflammation results from?

Answer 9

Vasodilation (= rubor and calor). Increased microvascular permeability resulting in prod of protein rich exudate (= tumor). Influx of leukocytes

Question 10

What diseases do dark skinned individuals suffer from in temperate climates?

Answer 10

Rickets, Cancer = Vit D def

Question 11

What diseases do light skinned individuals risk in equatorial climates?

Answer 11

Folate (vit B9 = adenosine, guanine, and thymidine synthesis)

Dark skin is rich in eumelanin = protects folate degrading by UV. Light skin people have low levels eumelanin, equator = high UV = folate damage = folate deficiency = DNA damage, birth defects, cancer

Question 12

What is albinism and the risk of skin cancer having this disease?

Answer 12

Complete/partial absence of pigment in skin, hair, eyes. Vision defects. Lack of pigmentation = lesser protection from sun = increases risk of sunburn & skin cancer

Question 13

What is a langerhan cell?

Answer 13

Type of dendritic cells scattered throughout prickle cell layer, APC to T cell, mediate immune reactions

Question 14

What is a melanocytes?

Answer 14

Type of dendritic cells, found at basal layer, produce melanin, more melanin in dark skinned individuals

Question 15

There are 3 layers to the skin but what are the layers of the epidermis?

Answer 15

horny layer (stratum corneum)
granular layer (stratum granulosum)
prickle cell layer (stratum spinosum)
basal layer (stratum basale)