Skin and Atopic Dermatitis Flashcards
What are the two main parts of the skin?
Epidermis (Outer Layer)
Dermis (Connective tissue)
What kind of tissue is the dermis made from?
fatty adipose tissue and contains strong connective tissue made up of collage and elastin
How does the epidermis gain oxygen and nutrients?
Relies upon diffusion from the blood vessels in the dermis
What do sweat glands produce?
Watery sweat for thermoregulation and protein rich sweat during emotional sweating
What prevents the skin from dehydration?
sebaceous glands produce an oil
How is the dermis protected from microbes?
Phagocytic macrophages are found in the dermis layer
What are the 4 main types of cells found in the epidermis?
Keratinocytes, melanocytes, langerhans cells and merkel cells
What is the most common cell in the epidermis
Keratinocytes form 90% of the cells in the epidermis. They are arranged in layers and produce keratin which protects the underlying tissue against heat, microbes and chemicals
What role doe melanocytes play in the epidermis?
transfer melanin containing granules to the keratinocytes
How do Langerhans cells aid the immune system
They are antigen presenting cells and recognise an invading microbe and stimulate the immune response to destroy it
Which cells detect touch?
Merkel cells
What are the innate skin defences against infection?
Cornified outer layer of skin
Physical barrier of interlocking keratinocytes
Extracellular anti-microbial lipids
Acid pH of sweat
Defensins in sweat
Anti-bacterial effect of oil from sebaceous glands
What is atopic dermatitis?
Common chronic inflammatory skin disease
Which antibody is produced in excess in AD?
IgE in response to common environmental and food antigens
What are the common symptoms and location of AD?
Itching, dry and red skin.
Folds of the arms, back of the knees, wrists, face and hands
