Skin and Glands Flashcards
Layers of the epidermis
Basale Spinosum Granulosum Lucidum Corneum
Stratum Basale
Mitotically active cells that attach directly to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes. Single layer of basophilic cuboidal or columnar cells.
Stratum Spinosum
Still mitotically active, but cells are starting to differentiate. Keratinocytes are connected to each other by desmosomes. Largest layer of epidermis.
Stratum Granulosum
Bundles of Keratin aggregates bound via accessory proteins like filagrin (keratohyalin granules)
Stratum Lucidum
Palms and soles of feet only. No nuclei or granules
Stratum Corneum
Non-nucleated dead cells filled with keratin.
As you go higher, fat and desmosome linkages disappear until “squames” start to sluff off
Thin vs. Thick skin
Size of Stratum Corneum
Thick skin DOES NOT have hair follicles (palms and soles)
What does Keratohyalin promote?
Within the SG layer, it promotes the dehydration of cells and cross-linking of keratin fibers
Layers of Dermis
Papillary Layer
Reticular Layer
Papillary Layer
Fine bundles of collagen. Loose connective tissue in this area that interdigitates with the epidermis for strong attachment. Mast cells, fibroblasts and leukocytes are present here
Reticular layer
Large bundles of collagen. Much thicker, dense irregular connective tissue with more fibers and fewer cells. Elastic fibers also present
Where are melanocytes?
Basal layer but they project to spinosum
Eumelanin vs. Pheomelanin
- Brown and Black melanin
2. Melanin for redheads
Cytology of melanocytes
- Many small mitochondria
- Short cisternae of RER
- Well developed golgi
Steps of melanin synthesis
- Tyrosine synthesized in RER, processed in the golgi
- Tyrosine accumulates in the vesicles that also have a fine matrix of other proteins (Stage I melanosomes)
- Stage II melanosomes: Melanin synthesis begins
- Stage III - Deposited and accumulated melanin
- Stage IV - No tyrosinase left and melanosome is mature and full of melanin
Activity of Tyrosinase
Converts tyrosine to DOPA which is polymerized and transformed to melanin
Melanosomes after they bud off
Keratinocytes cleave melanosomes off of melanocytes, they go to nearby keratinocytes in the spiney layer and basal layer and go close to the nucleus to shield against UV radiation
Albinism vs Vittligo
Dysfunction in the melanocyte pathway or tyrosinase pathway causing hypopigmentation. Related to vitiligo where you lose pigmentation due to melanocyte deterioration (depigmentation)
Merkel Cells
Slowly adapting somatosensory cells that are found in the SB.
Allow for light touch discrimination of objects/shapes
Unencapsulated sensory receptors
Merkel Cells
Free nerve endings
root hair plexus