Skin Structure Flashcards
How many layers are in the epidermis
5
What are the names of the 5 layers of the epidermis
Stratum Corneum, Stratum Lucidum, Stratum Granulosum, Stratum Spinosum and Stratum Germinativum.
Remember Come Lets Go See Grandad
What layer of the epidermis is this paragraph describing; This surface layer of the skin is made up of hardened, flattened, dead, keratinised cells. It is constantly being shed through desquamation. In this layer there is no visible cell membranes.
Stratum Corneum
What is special about the Stratum Germinativum
It is the site of cell reproduction (mitosis). The cells here are living. This layer is where the melanin in the skin is produced which is the pigment that gives the skin its colour.
In this layer the cells are still living and their membranes are intact; they have fibrils which interlock
Stratum Spinosum
In this layer the cells are denucleated but are not completely hard. These cells are most easily seen under a microscope on the palms and soles of the feet and hands. In this layer you can see the cell membranes
Stratum Lucidum
At this point of the cells cycle through the epidermis the cells have a distinct nucleus but cell membranes are dying. This layer contains granules which are visible in healing tissue
Stratum Granulosum
The cells produced by the germinativum layer take ______ Days to get to be shed
28 - 30 days
The other name for the Stratum Corneum is
The surface
The other name for the Stratum Germinativum is
Basal layer
The other name for the Stratum Granulosum is
Granular layer
The other name for the Stratum Lucidum is
Clear Layer
The other name for the Stratum Spinulosum is
Prickle Cell Layer
Beneath the epidermis is —–
The dermis
The dermis is also known as
True Skin
The dermis is connected to which 2 systems
Circulatory and Lymphatic
What 2 glands occur in the dermis
The sebaceous glands and the sweat glands
The dermis contains 8 main structures which are?
Specialised Cells, Nerve Endings, Sweat Glands, Hair Follicles, Sebaceous Glands, Blood Supply, Lymphatic Capillary and Papilla
How many of the four specialised cells can you name
Fibrobalsts, Mast Cells, Histiocytes and Leucocytes
The dermis is mainly made up of
Connective tissue, mainly areolar tissue which is tough and elastic and contains white collagen fibres and yellow elastic tissue known as elastin. Collagen plumps the skin and elastin keeps it supple and elastic, both dimish signs of age
Fibroblasts
Responsible for the production of areolar tissue, collagen and elastin. These can be damaged by ultraviolet light
Produce histamine as an allergic response and heparin an anti-coagulant
Mast Cells
Histiocytes
Product histamine
White blood cells that help to fight infection and disease
Leucocytes
Alert the brain and the body to heat, cold, pressure and pain. Part of the defence system of the body
Nerve Endings
Sweat glands
Stretch deep from the dermis to the epidermis. Sweat contains mainly water urea and salts. Produced by the eccrine and apocrine glands
Hair follicles
Travel through epidermis and dermis. Tiny erector pili muscles are attached to each hair helping with temperature control
Connected with hair follicles producing sebum to lubricate the hair shaft. They are only found on hairy areas. Sweat and sebum combine on the skin to form the acid mantle which controls bacteria levels and act as a natural moisturiser
Sebaceous glands
Blood Supply
A system of blood vessels including microscopic capillaries
Works in conjunction with the circulatory system to clear waste from the area
Lymphatic capillary
Small conical projections at base of hair containing blood vessels and nerve ending which supply the hair with nutrients
Papilla
What is the name of the layer underneath the dermis
Subcutaneous Layer
Consists of a network of blood vessels, nerves, lymph and adipose tissue. It’s main function is to act as an insulator and a shock absorber
Subcutaneous layer
How many functions does the skin have
7
Sensation
One of the skins 7 functions, sensory nerve endings pithing the dermis send messages to the brain allowing response to heat, cold, pain and pressure.
The skin helps to maintain the body temperature by, vasodilation, vasoconstriction, goosebumps, shivering and sweating
Heat regulation one of the skins 7 functions
Absorption
The skin is largely waterproof but is able to absorb certain substances through the basal layer. Essential oils and HRT can pass through the skin and into the blood stream. UV rays also penetrate the basal layer
Protection
Acid Mantle and melanin protect the skin from harmful bacteria and harmful UV rays
Excretion
Sweat is excreted onto the skin surface made of 99% water and 1% urea and salts
Secretion
Sebum is a fatty substance but protects the skin as it keeps the skin supple and helps to waterproof it
Vitamin D formation
UV rays penetrate through the skins layers and activate a chemical called 7 dehydo cholesterol which changes into vitamin D which is essential for healthy bones
