Skin Flashcards
What are the layers of the epidermis
- Stratum basale - Tranasient amplyfying cells ( go through few cycles ofcycle division before differentiation). Attached to keratinocytes via desmosomes & to basement membrane by Hemi-desmosomes
- Stratum spinosum - Cells are commited to terminal differentiation. Makes up bulk of living epidermis
- Stratum granulosum - Keratohyaline granules bind keratin filaments together. secrete lamellar bodies, giving skin its hydrophobic property
- Stratum corneum - Desquamation. Dead remnants of keratinocytes. Attached by Corneo-desmosomes. 40 cell layers thick. Turnover can be increased
What is parakeratosis
Abnormal cornification. Causes the replacement of annular squames with nucleated cells. Occurs during chronic inflammation and metabolic diseases. Causes flakes of dry skin
What do motor and sensor innervate in the skin
Motor
- Blood vessels
- Sweat galnds
- Pilomotor apparatus
Sensory
- Plexus of nerve fibres, both superficial and dep
- Pain and itch - Many free nerve endings in skin
- Touch and vibration - Merkel cells
What causes the sensation to itch and what are 3 drugs used to treat
Mediators:
- Histamine
- Bradykadin
- Opiate peptides
- IL-31 produced by t-cells has receptors on macrophages, eisoniphils. Acts via JAK STAT receptor
Try to treat original cause I.e Ectoparasiticide, Anti-microbial or allergen avoidances.
- Glucocorticoids - Binds to promoter region, inhibiting molecules of inflammation (e.g cytokines). Also upregulate anti-inflams
- Ciclosporin - Blocks transcription of cytokine genes in T-cells. highly specific inhibitor of T-cell activation
- Oclactinib - Blocks janus kinase enzyme. Blocks IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-31
What are the two types of sweat gland
- Atrichial - Discharges onto the skiin surface E.g footpads
- Epitrachial - Discharge into hair follicle
What are the stages of hair growth
- Telogen - No growth, Hair sits loosely in outer sheath
- Anagen - Period of active hair growth. Inferior portion of hair follicle only present at this stage. Dermal papillae (mesenchymal cells) determine hair growth
- Catagen - short transition period between Anagen and telogen
- Exogen - Active shedding of hair
What are the areas of the hair follicle and what is a compund follicle
Infundibulum - Top of the hair shaft
Isthmus - From the sebaceous gland to the arrector pili muscle
Inferior - Only present during anagen
Compound follicle - Several hairs emerging from one ostium
What pathological processes can occur in the hair follicle
- Inflammation - Infestation into hair shaft causing infalmmation. E.g dermatophytosis (ringworm) or demodicosis (over population of dermodex canis)
- Follicle disease - Matrix/melanocyte abnormalities. pigment is clumped causing washed out or dilute colours (colour dilution alopecia)
- Atrophic disease - Hyperadrenocortism causes cycle arrest of follicular growth
- Dysplastic disease - Saddle back curley coat retriever
Describe species differences in epidermis in fish, reptiles and birds
- Fish - Epidermis lacks a layer of dead, fully keratinised cells
- Reptiles - Epidermis has high degree of cornification. Almost no glands
- Birds - Epidermis only has two layers (has feathers) No sweat or sebaceous glands
What are the most common commensual bacteria on skin?
- Staphylococci pseudintermedias is the most common coagulase +ve
- Staphylococci simulans is the most common coagulase -ve
S.pseudointermedius is the one concerned with pathogenesis. But as animals are becoming more frequently in a immunocopromised state, S.simulans is a problem
What is Malassezia pachydermatis
A canine cutaneous fungal flora
What mite is aquired from the mother at birth and in what conditions can it be pathogenic
Demodex mites aquired from mother after birth. A functional demodex specific T-lymphocyte defect or immunodefiency allows disease
What is biofilm
A slime of DNA, proteins and polysacchrides that attach to abiotic/biotic surfaces. Microbial cells in biofilm are physiologically distinct from planktonic cells. Theres a change in phenotype for better resistance to the environment, chemical stress, antimicrobials & stress
What role do keratinocytes play in immune response?
- Animicrobial response - defensins, reactive 02 intermediates
- Inflammatory response - Cytokines, chemokines, eicosanoids
- Influence adaptive immune response - activates T-cells
What is 1st and 2nd intension healing
- 1st intension healing - Clean wound is sutured together. No granulation tissue formation
- 2nd intention healing - Filling the wound with granulation tissue. Important to consider blood supply & how long wounds have been contaminated