Skin anatomy Flashcards
What are the three layers of the skin?
Epidermis (outermost layer -waterproof barrier and creates our skin tone)
Dermis (middle -has tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands)
Subcutaneous tissue (aka hypodermis -made of fat and connective tissue)
What are the properties of skin?
Barrier
Fluid balance
Thermal regulation (cooling and warming)
Immunology (protect from infection and allergy)
Metabolic (synthesis, storage, wound healing)
Communication (sensory nerves, physical state, emotional state)
Two main types of melanin?
Eumelanin (brown and black)
Pheomelanin (red and yellow form)
Where are melanocytes found?
Epidermis
What is a macule?
circumscribed flat alteration (change) in skin colour
< 1.0cm diameter
What is patch?
circumscribed flat lesion
> 1.0cm diameter
What is a papule?
Raised solid lesion
< 0.5cm diameter
Papules may become confluent and form plaque.
What is a plaque?
circumscribed raised superficial lesion with flat surface
> 0.5cm diameter
What is a nodule?
circumscribed raised firm lesion
may have started as a papule
> 0.5cm diameter
What is a wheal?
Firm, raised, pink/red swelling of skin
size and shape varies
usually itchy
lasts <24hrs
What is a tumor?
Large papule or nodule
Usually >1cm diameter
What is a pustule?
Circumscribed, raised lesion containing purulent exudate that may be cloudy, white, yellow, or haemorrhagic.
Size varies
What is a vesicle?
Circumscribed, raised lesion, filled with liquid or semi-solid material.
May become infected.
What is a bulla?
a vesicle that is >0.5cm
What is a cyst?
Firm, raised encapsulated lesion
Filled with liquid or semi-solid material
May become infected.
