SKIN PHYSIOLOGY Flashcards
1/ Outline the funtion of selected sensory receptors in skin 2/ Understand how skin bloodflow can be controlled 3/ Describe the structure and function of eccrine sweat glands and their role in thermoregulation 4/ Understand basic mechanisms of heat transfer 5/ Understand 'core body temperature' and how it is monitored 6/ Explain mechanisms for heat loss and heat conservation/generation 7/ Aware of physiological consequences of sever burns
what are the 5 types of skin receptor?
- free nerve endings
- tactile discs
- tactile corpuscles
- lamellar corpuscles
- bulbous corpuscles
what is the most common receptor in skin?
free nerve endings
the fibre characteristics of free nerve endings?
unmyelinated small diameter but also some myelinated
small swellings at distal ends also referred as
sensory terminals at free nerve endings
TRPV1 receptors is
cation channels at free nerve endings
H1 receptors is chemical stimuli for
free nerve endings
pathway of stimuli at free nerve endings?
activation –> APs in afferent sensory axons –> CNS –> somatosensory cortex
what does free nerve endings mainly respond to?
- temperature/thermal
- painful stimuli (nociceptive)
- movement and pressure
itchy respond to histamine is trait of which type of skin receptor?
free nerve endings
where is free nerve endings located?
deepest layer of epidermis
what is the associated structure with free nerve endings?
tactile (merkel) discs
what is the purpose of serotonin 5HT over skin physiology?
communication between tactile epithelial and ner ending
where can you find most tactile discs?
fingertips
which type of skin receptor is good for 2 point discrimination?
tactile disc because small receptive fields
what does tactile disc mainly detect?
- fine touch and light pressure
- texture, shape and edge
where is the tactile corpuscle located?
papillary layer of dermis
(especially hairless skin)
which type of skin receptor could be found around the finger pads, lips, eyelids, external genitalia, soles of feer, nipples?
tactile corpuscle
structure of the tactile corpuscle?
- encapsulated
- spiralling/branching unmyelinated sensory terminals surrounded by modified Schwann cells and thin oval FCT capsule
how does stimuli triggers the tactile corpuscle?
deformation of capsule –> triggers entry of Na+ ions –> nerve terminal –> action potential
what can tactile corpuscle detect?
- delicate ‘fine’ / discriminative touch
- light pressure
- low frequency vibration
if you are reading Braille text, which skin receptor you would most likely be using?
tactile corpuscles and likely tactile discs