Skin Structure and Function 4 Flashcards
6 Functions of the Skin?
Barrier function Metabolism and detoxification Thermoregulation Immune defence Communication (people see your skin) Sensory Functions
Consequences of failure of barrier function of skin? (3)
Fluid loss = dehydration
Protein loss = hypoalbuminaemia
Infection
Consequence of failure of thermoregulation of skin?
Heath loss = hypothermia
Consequence of failure of metabolic processes of the skin?
Disordered thyroxine metabolism
Consequence of problem with sensory function of skin?
Pain
What does the skin act as a physical barrier to? (2)
Friction/ mechanical trauma
UV radiation
Why does UV burn when physical light doesn’t?
The shorter the wavelength, the less it penetrates the skin but the more energy is attached to each proton - UV wavelength is shorter
What 2 products is the skin involved in the metabolism of?
Vitamin D
Thyroid hormone
Dietary sources of vitamin D?
Fish
Cheese
Egg yolks
Food fortified with vitamin D e.g. dairy products, orange juice, soy milk, cereals
What does vitamin D do?
Increases calcium absorption from the bowel
Promotes mineralisation of bone
Where does vitamin D from the diet and skin go?
What happens here?
Liver
Turned into 25 hydroxy-vitamin D
What happens to 25 hydroxy-vitamin D formed in the liver?
Made into active vitamin D (1, 25 dihydroxy-vitamin D3) in the kidney
What thyroid hormone is produced in the thyroid glands?
What happens to this?
Where does this occur?
Thyroxine (T4)
It must be converted into tri-iodothyronine (T3)
20% = thyroid gland
80% = peripheral (to thyroid) tissue including the skin
What in the skin senses temperature and controls sweating/ shivering/ blood supply?
warm/ cold sensitive thermoreceptors
