Skin Structure + Function Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the histology of the epidermis

A

Stratified squamous epithelium

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2
Q

Name the layers of the epidermis from superficial to deep

A
  1. Keratin layer - stratum coreum
  2. Clear layer - stratum lucidum
  3. Granular layer - stratum granulosum
  4. Pricle layer - stratum spinosum
  5. Basal layer - stratum basale
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3
Q

Merkel cells are found in what layer of the epidermis

A

basal cell layer

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4
Q

Function of merkel cells

A

touch receptors

  • contain mechanoreceptors
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5
Q

after how many weeks gestation is the skin considered to be fully formed

A

26 weeks

  • basal layer + dermis formed by 4 weeks
  • basic skin anatomy formed by 16 weeks
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6
Q

what are blaschko’s lines

A

lines which show development growth patterns of skin

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7
Q

what is the dermis mainly comprised of

A

connective tissue

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8
Q

what is the most prominent cell type in the epidermis

A

keratinocytes

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9
Q

why do cells in basal layer need to be protected by melanin

A

stem cells reside here

  • DNA capped by melanin as this cannot be replaced
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10
Q

in which cell can you find a birbeck granule

A

langerhans cells

  • they look like tennis rackets
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11
Q

name of melanin that is black/brown in colour

A

eumelanin

  • most common type
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12
Q

name of melanin that is red/yellow in colour

A

pheomelanin

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13
Q

name the 3 stages of hair growth

A
  1. anagen - growing
  2. catagen - involuting
  3. telogen - resting
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14
Q

where do melanocytes originate from

A

neural crest

  • in ectoderm during embyrogenesis
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15
Q

epidermis arises from which embryological tissue

A

ectoderm

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16
Q

dermis arises from which embyroglical tissue

A

mesoderm

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17
Q

which layer of epidermis contains filaggrin and involucrin? what is their function?

A

Granular layer

  • maintain water barrier of the skin
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18
Q

which type of granules will release filaggrin and involucrin

A

Lamellar granulues in the granular layer

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19
Q

what are corneocytes

A

cells of the granular layer that are flattened, have lost their nucleus and released contents of lamellar granules (filaggrin and involucrin)

  • create 2-3 layers to become the keratin layer
20
Q

how many days does it take for cells to migrate from the basement membrane to the keratin layer?

A

28 days

21
Q

which amino acid is converted to melanin within melanosomes

A

tyrosine

22
Q

why do children with PKU often have pale skin

A
  • Process of converting phenylalanine to tyrosine is disrupted
  • tyrosine is required to be converted to melanin
  • less melanin is produced – pale skin
23
Q

name 3 different types of glands found in skin

A
  1. eccrine
  2. sebaceous
  3. apocrine
24
Q

where are apocrine glands found

A

axillae and perineum

  • androgen dependent
  • produce oily fluid responsible for body odour as bacteria decompose it
25
Q

where are sebaceous glands found

A

face and chest

26
Q

most common skin gland

A

eccrine

27
Q

name the three layers of the dermo-epidermal junction from superficial to deep

A
  1. Lamina lucida
  2. Lamina densa
  3. Sub-lamina zone
28
Q

function of dermo-epidermal junction

A
  1. semi-permeable membrane acting as a filter + barrier
  2. support + anchorage of basal cells
29
Q

receptor in the skin that is specialised for light pressure

A

meissners corpuscles

30
Q

receptor in the skin that is specialised for deep pressure + vibration

A

pacinian corpuscles

31
Q

what causes skin to sag with age

A
  • less collagen produced
  • disordered collagen
32
Q

what layer of skin is papilla of hair follicle found

A

dermis

33
Q

autoimmune condition that attacks papilla of hair follicles

A

alopecia areata

34
Q

in which layer of the skin are immune cells most abundant ?

what cells can be found?

A

Dermis

  • Macrophages
  • Mast cells
  • Lymphocytes
  • Langerhans cells
35
Q

what is a pilosebaceous unit

A

structure consisting of hair, hair follicle, erector pili muscle and sebaceous gland

36
Q

what is the most abundant protein in dermis

A

collagen

37
Q

what wavelength of light is required for Vit D synthesis ?

what does it do to produce Vit D ?

A

290 - 320 nm

converts 7 dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D3

38
Q

MHC 1 binds to what in T cell activation

A

CD8

39
Q

MHC 2 binds to what in T cell activaiton

A

CD4

40
Q

which immune cells are most associated with atopic dermatitis

A

TH2

TH17

41
Q

Which immune cells are most associated with psoriasis

A

TH1

TH17

42
Q

What is the main immune cell in the epidermis

A

langerhans cell

43
Q

How do the roles of plasmacytoid dendritic cells and dermal dendritic cells differ?

A

Plasmacytoid - associated with diseased skin and secrete INF alpha

Dermal- associated with antigen presentation in the dermis

44
Q
A
45
Q

Which T cell activates macrophages and how do they achive this

A

TH1

  • by releasing IL2 and IFN gamma