Skin Flashcards
true or false, the skin is the largest organ in the body?
true, 16% of body weight
what are the two main layers of the skin?
epidermis and dermis
name some of the skins defence mechanisms
chemical barriers - sweat and sebum = kill bacteria
physical barriers - for internal organs
biological barriers - dendritic cells activate in the immune response
name the 4/5 layers of the dermis
stratum basale stratum spinosum stratum granulosom stratum lucidem (only in the thick parts of the skin) stratum corneum
name some areas of the skin where it may be thicker
bottom of the feet, hands (inner palms)
name some structures of the dermis
blood vessels, lymph vessels, sensory nerve endings, glands and their ducts, hair roots, follicles and hair
what determines skin colour?
several pigments: melanin, melanoid and carotene
what causes jaundice?
too much billirubin in the blood
name some factors that increase the risk of wound complications and slow down the healing process
smoking diabetes age pain nutrition infection sleep
explain the first/primary intention of wound healing
trying to bring the wound together (eg. using sutures) to heal the wound
no tissue loss
explain the secondary intention of wound healing
leave the wound open and use dressings to cover (for example)
significant tissue loss
what is collagen?
the main structural protein found in the skin
what is granulation tissue?
connective tissue or microscopic blood vessels that form on the surface of a wound during the healing process
what is angiogenesis?
the development of new blood vessels
what is fibrosis?
the thickening and scarring of connective tissue
