Skin Flashcards
What are the main functions of skin?
Protection Thermoregulation Metabolic function Psychosocial Sensation
What are the main layers of the skin?
Epidermis
Dermis - Splits into the Papillary and the Reticular
Hyper-dermis
What are the layers of the epidermis?
Stratum Corneum Stratum Granulosum Stratum Spinosum Stratum Basale (Run from superficial to deep)
What is the rough lifespan of a epidermal cell?
45-60 days
Name 3 things that happen as cells mature
Increase in keratin granules and filaments
Increase in lamella bodies (glycophospholipids)
Cells become flattened and more tightly packed
How does cell life span change in people with psoriasis?
Normal life span is only 7 days
Over proliferation of skin cells, resulting in an excess and therefore dry and flaking patches
Name 4 types of epidermal cell
Keratinocytes
Melanocytes
Langerhans cells
Merkel cells
Which epidermal layer would you find Keratinocytes in? What is their function?
All layers - Corneum, Granulosum, Spinosum, Basale
90% of all epidermal cells
Makes Keratin
Which epidermal layer would you find Melanocytes in? What is their function?
Basale layer
Produce melanin
Which epidermal layer would you find Langerhans cells in? What is their function?
Spinosum
Present antigens
Results in hypersensitivity reactions - Type 4 rash
Associated with nickel sensitivity and contact dermatitis
Which epidermal layer would you find Merkel cells in? What is their function?
Basale layer
Light touch sensory function
What does the dermis contain?
Blood vessels
Nerves
Hair follicles
Collagen and Elastin
What makes up a Pilosebaceous unit?
Hair follicle
Sebaceous gland
Arrector pili muscle
Name the 2 types of sweat glands and state where they are found
Eccrine - All over the body (Thermoregulation)
Apocrine - Armpit and groin
How does skin aid thermoregulation?
AV anastomoses
Found in the top and bottom of the dermis
Can cause shutdown at different levels
What is a macule?
Flat small skin lesion
What is a patch?
Flat large skin lesion
What is a papule?
A raised solid small skin lesion
What is a nodule?
A raised solid large skin lesion
What is a plaque?
A raised solid very large skin lesion (psoriasis)
Where the area is greater than the height
What is a vesicle?
Raised, fluid filled, small and clear skin lesion
What is a Bolla?
Raised, fluid filled large and clear skin lesion
blister
What is a Pustule?
Raised, fluid filled, pus filled skin lesion
What is a large Pustule called?
An abscess
What are the risk factors for a basal cell carcinoma?
UV exposure, genetic predisposition (pale skin), immunosuppression
Which is the most common skin cancer?
Basal Cell Carcinoma
What is the prognosis for basal cell carcinoma?
Good.
Doesn’t metastasise
Just chop the affected skin out
What is the second most common type of skin cancer?
Squamous cell carcinoma
What are the risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma?
UV exposure, being male, immunosuppression, fair skinned, occupational exposure
What does the prognosis for squamous cell carcinoma depend on?
Depends on lesion thickness
Does metastasise
What are the risk factors for Melanoma?
UV exposure, lots of dysplastic or niave lesions, history of melanoma
Least common type of skin cancer
What is the prognosis for Melanoma?
Poor
Based on deepness of invasion
What histological changes would you see in cancerous cells?
Hyperchromatic
Loss of normal architecture
High nuclear to cytoplasmic ratio
Pleomorphism (cells don’t all look the same)
What is the A to E approach for assessing lesions?
A = Asymmetry = bad if not symmetrical B = Border = bad if jagged border C = Colour = bad if not all the same colour D = Diameter = bad if big E = Evolution = bad if crusty, bleeding, itchy...anything it wasn't previously
What does TNM staging stand for?
Tumour size
No of nodes
Metastasis
What are the boundaries for removal of a lesion?
Elliptical
3:1 cm length:width
Incision should be parallel to tension lines in skin
