Skin Physiology Flashcards
The study of the skins function.
Skin physiology
Microscopic study of the skins tissue.
Skin histology
Study of the skin, it’s structure, functions, disease, and treatment.
Dermatology
What are the 6 primary functions of the skin?
Protection Absorption Secretion Excretion Regulation Sensation
Tiny openings or passage ways which allow sweat or sebum to pass through the surface of the skin.
Pores
An opening that contains the root of a hair within it.
Hair follicle
A complex mixture of fatty substances that keeps the skin soft, supple, and pliable that is excreted by the skin.
Sebum
The primary component of skin cells that a a protein substance which contains several chemical elements.
Keratin
Makes up the fingernails and hair.
Hard keratin
Makes up the skin
Soft keratin
The outermost layer of the skin.
Epidermis
The underlying or inner second layer of the skin. Also known as true skin
Dermis
Located below the dermis and is composed primarily of adipose tissue
Subcutaneous
The epidermis is primarily composed of ________ and also made up of epithelial cells.
Keratinocytes
The hardened, cornified, horny cell layer of the epidermis.
Stratum corneum
The transparent, clear, lucid cell layer of the epidermis.
Stratum lucidum
The grain like cells of the epidermis.
Stratum granulosum
The spiny, irregularly shaped cells of the epidermis.
Stratum spinosum
The basement layer of the epidermis where cell growth occurs.
Stratum germinatavium or basale
The chemical conversion of living cells into dead protein cells. That keeps the skin soft.
Keratinization
Keratinocytes remain tightly interconnected by intercellular connections called ________ that make the layers water resistant.
Desmosomes
Keratinocytes remain in the stratum corneum for __ days before being shed
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This layer a thickest on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Stratum lucidum
Provide your palms and soles with traction, allow you to grasp and also not slip. Are unique to each person.
Epidermal ridges or whorls
The layer where the process of keratinization begins.
Stratum granulosum
______ cells are found in the stratum spinosum layer and help protect the body from infection. They identify the foreign material.
Langerhans
Immune cells that recognize the antigens displayed on the Langerhans cells to assist in destroying them.
T cells
Touch receptors or sensory cells that are only found in thick skin in the stratum germinatavium.
Merkle cells
Give skin it’s color and are not found in thick skin.
Melanocytes
Melanocytes produce melanin which is packaged in intracellular vesicles called _________.
Melanosomes
The dermis is ____x thicker than the epidermis.
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The layer of skin that is the main support system and is comprised of man connective tissues and is rich in capillaries and blood vessels.
Dermis
_______ cells in the dermis are responsible for the formation of fibers and aid in the production of collagen and elastin.
Fibroblast
A strong protein substance that when broken down forms bundles that strengthen and give structure to the skin. Makes up 70% of the dermis.
Collagen
Excessive amounts of collagen that. produce thick, raised scars.
Keloids and hypertrophic scars
A fibrous protein similar to collagen and is the basis of what forms elastic tissue. Give skin stretch and elasticity.
Elastin
_____ cells are located in the dermis and respond to allergies by releasing small granules called histamine a.
Mast
The layer of the dermis that lies directly beneath the epidermis. Houses sensory nerve endings and projections that nourish the skin.
Papillary dermis
The ________ are free nerve endings located in the dermis and cold receptors outnumber the heat by 3 to 4 times.
Thermoreceptors
_________ sense stretching, compression, or twisting of the skin.
Mechanorexeptors
The receptor in the dermal layer that senses light pressure and cold receptors.
Meissners corpuscles
The receptors in the dermis that sense long term pressure and heat receptors.
Ruffini’s corpuscles
The receptors in the dermis that sense deep pressure and pain receptors.
Pacinian corpuscles
The receptors in the dermis that sense pressure and pain receptors.
Krauses end bulbs
The lowest layer of the dermis that contained collagen and elastin and provides strength and flexibility.
Reticular dermis
Produce sweat, a mixture of water, urea, electrolytes and lactic acid. Controlled by the nervous system.
Sudoriferous glands
Sweat glands located under the arms, in the genitals and the nipples that secrete an odorless substance when triggered by emotions.
Apocrine glands
Sweat glands located throughout the body and are most abundant on the forehead, palms, and soles.
Eccrine glands
Glands that release their secretions into the blood and are known as ductless glands.
Endocrine
Glands that release their secretions into ducts.
Exocrine glands
_______ glands are attached to the upper third of a hair follicle and are two to three times larger around facial hair.
Sebaceous
A male hormone present in both men and women.
Androgen
The layer located below the dermis and is composed of fatty tissue and acts as the body’s cushioning.
Subcutaneous
The bottom layer of the epidermis that connects it to the dermis.
Hemidesmosomes
The removal of dead skin cells that stimulates new cell growth.
Exfoliation
The physical process of removing dead skin cells with an abrasive product.
Mechanical exfoliatikn
The process of using natural substances such as enzymes or acids in conjunction with other ingredients to remove dead skin cells
Chemical exfoliation
The process of absorption into the skin is known as ____________. Found in medical patches that release into the blood stream.
Transdermal penetration
The substance that binds, adds structural strength, and mediates biochemical interactions between cells.
Intracellular cement
A condition visible on the surface of the skin that includes small red bumps, urticaria, blisters, scales, and erythema.
Rashes
A change in the structure of the skin tissue.
Lesion
A discoloration on the skins surface. Flat areas that are usually rounded and distinct.
Macule
A solid formation above the skin often caused by insect bites or allergic reaction. Sharply defined or solid, raised pink swelling or welt.
Wheal
A small elevation of the skin usually inflammatory and doesn’t contain pus. If they progress they can become pustules.
Papule
A small inflamed elevation, the next step in the progression from a papule filled with bacterial fluid and pus. Appear red and cloudy or white.
Pustule
A fluid filled elevation in the skin caused by localized accumulation of fluids and blood just below the epidermis. Also known as a blister.
Vesicles
Found above skin and contains a clear, watery fluid. Similar to a vesicle but larger.
Bulla
A solid mass within the skin. May be soft or hard, fixed or freely moving.
Nodule or tumor
An abnormal membranous sac containing a gaseous, liquid or semi solid substance.
Cyst
Changes in the structure of the skin during the early stages if change and development.
Primary lesions.
Lesions that appear as a condition or disease progresses and require treatment by a physician.
Secondary lesions
A dried mass that is the remains of an oozing sore. May contain blood, pus, sebum, epithelial tissue, and bacterial debris.
Crust
A mechanical abrasion of the epidermis. It appears bright to dark red because of dried blood and occurs when scratched.
Excoriation
The shedding of dead skin cells of the uppermost layer of the epidermis.
Scale
A formation resulting from a lesion which extends into the dermis or deeper and is part of the normal healing process.
Scar
A crack or line in the skin that may penetrate as deep as the dermis.
Fissure
An open lesion visible on the surface of the skin that may result in the loss of portions of the dermis.
Ulcer
A hereditary rash or an inflammation of the skin, characterized by dry, sensitive irritated skin.
Atopic dermatitis
A rash caused by either an allergic reaction from contact with substances such as dyes, detergents, plants etc. characterized by red itchy areas.
Contact dermatitis
A common skin rash with redness and scaly pinkish yellow patches that have an oily appearance. A form of eczema. Usually on the scalp but can appear elsewhere.
Seborrheic dermatitis
An inheritable disease that can be triggered by environmental factors is a person is genetically predispositioned. An excess of thick, scaly silver patches.
Psoriasis
Characterized by dry or moist lesions, an eruption of small vesicles and watery discharge. Inflammatory redness and itching. Leaves the skin in crusts.
Eczema
An allergic reaction that produce an eruption of wheals, also known as urticaria. Caused by the release of histamines in the body.
Hives
Caused by a pathogenic bacteria or virus entering the body or skin and multiplying to the point of interference.
Infections
A highly contagious viral infection that lies dormant between out breaks. Causes eruptive, blister like clusters.
Herpes simplex
Causes cold sores and is transmitted from secretions around the mouth.
Herpes simplex 1
The cause of genital herpes and is transmitted by direct contact with sores.
Herpes simplex 2
Caused by the varicella zoster virus that causes chicken pox.
Herpes zoster
A highly contagious bacterial infection caused by the staphylococcus aureus. Produces a honey yellow crusted lesion.
Impetigo
The medical term for ringworm. A contagious fungal disease.
Tinea
A fungal infection affecting the trunk, legs or arms characterized by a pink to red rash and itching.
Tinea corporis
Commonly known as tricolor yeast infection. Non contagious and produces hyper pigmented areas that will not tan.
Tines versicolor
Viral infections on the top layer of the skin that are caused by HPV. The most common tumor.
Warts or verruca
A common skin infection caused by yeast. Causes red, well demarcated patches with a white film around them that thrive in moist areas.
Candida albicans
An acute and very contagious form of conjunctivitis that causes an inflammation of the membrane that lines the eyelid
Pink eye
A dry, scaly skin caused by reduced sebum production. This occurs as tissue ages.
Asteatosis
A condition caused by excess secretion of the sebaceous glands. Commonly associated with oily skin types.
Seborrhea
A harmless sebaceous cyst filled with sebum which is considered a tumor of the sebaceous glands. Also called wens.
Steatoma
A painful infection of a hair follicle and adjacent subcutaneous tissue that appears as a firm module with a central hard pus filled core.
Furuncle or boil.
A group of boils. Very painful, acute bacterial infection characterized by inflammation that involves several hair follicles.
Carbuncle
A chronic inflammatory condition of the face in which small capillaries of the face become dilated and inflamed.
Rosacea
The dilated capillaries at the surface of the skin. Cause a persistent red, flushed look.
Telangiectasia
A more severe form of Rosacea which causes the tissue of the nose to swell and enlarge.
Rhinophyma
A chronic inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands. Occurs when hair follicles become plugged with sebum and becomes inflamed.
Acne
What are two major causes of acne?
Hormonal changes and genetics
Also stress, medication, environment, steroids, pregnancy, puberty etc
Acne is always causes by excess ________.
Androgen
The degree if pore clogging directly related to the accumulation of the keratinized skin cells that adhere to the follicle.
Retention hyperkeratosis
An open follicle with a black surface plug which has been oxidized and discolored due to the sebum contacting air.
Blackhead or open comedo
A plugged sebaceous gland with an opening that isn’t widely dilated, they begin to bulge in structure. Sebum produced can’t escape. Are generally soft and easy to extract.
Whitehead or closed comedo
Mild acne consisting of open and closed comedones scattered over less than half of the areas of the face or back.
Grade 1 Acne
Moderate acne that has an increased number of open and closed comedones as well as an occasional pustule or papule.
Grade 2 Acne
Moderately sever acne that is characterized by numerous open and closed comedones, papules, pustules and occasional cysts. Red and inflamed, may have scarring.
Grade 3 Acne. DO NOT TREAT
Severe acne consisting of numerous papules and pustules as well as a large number of cysts on the face, back, and chest. Have deep scarring. Acne is on over 50% of the face.
Grade 4 Acne. DO NOT TREAT
Pearly white enclosed cysts that are hard to the touch and difficult to remove. Referred to as baby acne.
Milia
What are some main acne myths?
Acne is caused by poor diet like chocolate.
You just have to let acne run its course.
Inflammatory hard lesions found deeper in the skin at the point where there hair follicle becomes plugged with dead skin cells.
Nodular cystic acne
An ingredient used to dry and exfoliate acne. It releases oxygen which helps in killing the bacteria.
Benzoyl peroxide
Medications prescribed by a physician to dry the skin and kill the bacteria that cause acne.
Topical antibiotics
Medication for acne that contains Tretinoin, a powerful derivative of vitamin a that dries the skin and promotes rapid exfoliation.
Retin-A
An acid that promotes drying and cell turnover. Usually used to treat acne.
Azaleic acid
A beta hydroxy acid that mildly dries and promotes cell turnover by producing mild keratolytic action.
Salicylic acid.
An alpha hydroxy acid that breaks the bonds that connect skin cells together allowing for cell turnover and exfoliation. Unclog pores.
Glycolic acids
A controversial medication sometimes prescribed for grade 3 and 4 acne that inhibits the function of the sebaceous glands.
Accutane
A sudoriferous gland disorder that is a foul smelling perspiration caused by the yeast and bacteria that break down the sweat on the surface of the skin.
Bromidrosis or osmidrosis
A sudoriferous gland disorder where there is a lack of perspiration caused by the failure of the sweat glands.
Anihidrosis
A sudoriferous gland disorder that is an over production of perspiration caused by excessive heat or general body weakness.
Hyperhidrosis
A sudoriferous gland disorder that is an acute burning, itching rash, caused by excessive heat. An inflammatory disorder that causes prickly heat.
Milaria Rubra
Skin growth that has a regular shape, is skin colored or brown and is flat and raised and symmetrical. They are harmless and non cancerous.
Benign growths or moles
Small elevated skin growths that can easily be removed.
Skin tags
Skin growths that are either flat or raises and are irregular in shape and border. The color is irregular and is more than 6 mm in size.
Premalignant growths
Irregularly shaped scaly red-pink skin growths that feel rough to the touch and occur on sun exposed areas. May develop into malignant lesions.
Actinic keratosis
Skin growths that are cancerous.
Malignant growths
Common malignant lesions that tend to appear translucent, have irregular borders and tiny blood vessels running in them.
Basal cell carcinomas
An irregular crusted red papule that occurs in sun exposed areas and may be actinic keratosis that went untreated. Dangerous since they invade lymph nodes.
Squamous cell carcinoma
The most dangerous skin growth that evolve from flat or raised pigmented lesions anywhere on the body. Will become malignant.
Melanoma
What are the guidelines for checking a mole?
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
A group of inherited conditions that result in the failure of the skin to produce melanin. Pale skin, white blonde hair and blue eyes. Hypersensitive to light.
Albinism
A congenital disorder that occurs when the skin lacks pigmentation due to a decrease in melanocyte activity. Causes partial or total loss of skin pigmentation in patches.
Leukoderma
An acquired skin disease characterized by white patches that are caused by a loss of pigment in a number of melanin cells. Appear in irregular shapes. Surrounded by a heavily pigmented border.
Vitiligo
A birthmark or congenital mole.
Nevus
A freckle, small yellowish or brownish spot on the skin.
Lentigo
A disorder that results from trauma to tissues from acne, burns, injury or some skin rashes that creates flat darkened patches that are irregular in shape and appear anywhere.
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
A common disorder pregnant women have that results in increased pigmentation causing light to dark patches to occur on the face. The pregnancy mask.
Chloasma or melasma
An inflammation that causes severe itching usually on undamaged skin.
Pruritus
The skins natural aging process that is composed of genetics.
Intrinsic aging
Skin deterioration caused by external factors that are within an individuals control. Number one factor is sun exposure.
Extrinsic aging
A universally accepted system for classifying skin types according to their tolerance and reaction to ultraviolet radiation.
Fitzpatrick photo type scale
Type __ alway burns and never tans. Has very fair skin generally with blonde or red hair.
1
Type __ almost always burns and tans minimally. Very common skin type, fair skinned individuals.
2
Type __ sometimes burns and usually tans. Could be of Mediterranean descent, white skin with medium pigment.
3
Type __ tans easily and very rarely burns. Skin color tends to be a moderate brown shade.
4
Type __ almost always tans and seldom burns. This client is generally Asian, Indian, Latin, Hispanic, or African.
5
Type __ never burns and tans very dark. The clients skin is black in color.
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