Skin Hair and Nails

Question 1

What are the 4 functions of the skin?

What is its claim to fame compared to other organs?

Answer 1

Boundary for fluids (keeps fluid in and out)
Protection
Temperature modulation
Synthesis of Vitamin D

Heaviest organ in the body. 16% of body weight

Question 2

Describe the composition
Epidermis 3 (what does it not have)
Dermis 4 (What does it have)

Answer 2

Epidermis

• -most superficial
• -no blood vessels
• -2 layers

Dermis

• -supplied with blood vessels
• -sweat glands
• -sebaceous glands
• -hair follicles

Question 3

Where is subcutaneous tissue compared to the dermis?

What is unique to this area?

Answer 3

Deep to dermis

Fatty area

Question 4

What are the 4 properties that compose pigment?

Answer 4

Melanin
Carotene
Oxyhemoglobin
Deoxyhemoglobin

Question 5

Circulatory changes can effect the color of skin. What are the two ways?
How do they affect skin color?

Answer 5

Erythema–If blood is loaded with O2, it is red…If it isn’t loaded with O2, it will turn more blue or purple.
Pallor–Not much skin color due to vasoconstriction or lack or O2.

Question 6

Describe the two types of hair.
Vellus
Terminal

Answer 6

Vellus–short, fine inconspicuous, unpigmented.

Teminal–Coarse, thick, pigmented (i.e. scalp hair)

Question 7

Describe nails

Name the 5 anatomical features of nails we need to know.

Answer 7

Horny, translucent plates that protect the distal ends of fingers and toes.

1. lateral nail fold.
2. nail plate.
3. lunula (white rainbow at base of nail)
4. Proximal nail fold.
5. Nail bed

Question 8

Inspection and palpation

What are the 6 qualities of skin that we are examining?

Answer 8

1. Color
2. Moisture
3. Temperature
4. Texture
5. Mobility and turgor (the ability of the skin to bound back after it is pinched)
6. Lesions (injury or damage)
   These can be discovered through sight and touch.

Question 9

Inspection and palpation
What are the 3 things we are looking for in hair?
Nails? 3

Answer 9

Hair

1. Quantity
2. Distribution
3. Texture

Nails

1. Color
2. Shape
3. Lesions

Question 10

What are the ABCDEs for Melanoma?

Answer 10

Asymmetry
Border irregularity
Color variation (especially blue or black)
Diameter large than 6mm (half width of pinky nail)
Elevation

Question 11

What are the 5 risk factors for Melanoma

Answer 11

Intense year round sun exposure
Blistering sunburn in childhood
Fair skin that freckles or burns easily
Family Hx of melanoma
Atypical nevi

Question 12

What are the 5 characteristics that make a mole a mole and not skin cancer?

Answer 12

1. round or oval
2. sharply defined borders
3. uniform color
4. diameter less than 6mm
5. flat or raised surface.