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Dermatology SOH > Structure and function of skin > Flashcards

Structure and function of skin Flashcards

1
Q

Epidermis

A

Outer layer
Thin
Stratified cellular epithelium
Continuously regenerated

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2
Q

Epidermis layers (from 16 weeks onwards)

A

Keratin layer (stratum corneum)
Granular layer
Prickle cell layer (spinal)
Basal layer

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3
Q

Epidermis layers (4 weeks)

A

Periderm

Basal layer

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4
Q

Ectoderm forms epidermis/dermis

A

Epidermis

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5
Q

Mesoderm forms epidermis/dermis

A

Dermis

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6
Q

Appendages

+examples

A

Everything else that’s not primary skin

nails, hair, glands, mucosae

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7
Q

Blaschko’s lines

A

Developmental growth pattern of skin
If patient presents with a linear configuration on skin then it indicates that it is a congenital thing to do with development before birth

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8
Q

Dermis

A

Leathery
Connective tissue
Provide strength
Beneath epidermis

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9
Q

Sub-cutis

A

Predominantly fat

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10
Q

Main cells in the epidermis

A

Keratinocytes (migrate from basement membrane)
Melanocytes (supra basal and basal)
Merkel Cells (basal)
Langerhans cells (supra basal)

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11
Q

How many days does it take the epidermis to regenerate?

A

Around 28

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12
Q

Keratin layer

stratum corneum

A

Tight waterproof barrier, physical barrier
Lots of lipids (from lammelar granules)
Corneocytes (overlapping non nucleated cell remnants)
More keratin is formed in response to mechanical pressure (i.e. guitar players)

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13
Q

Granular layer

A

2-3 layers of cells
Large keratohyalin granules which contain structural filaggrin and involucrin proteins
High lipid content

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14
Q

Prickle cell layer

spinal layer

A

Lots of desmosomes (connections)
- communication
- movement
large polyhedral cells

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15
Q

Basal layer

A

Small, cuboidal
Usually one cell thick
Highly metabolically active
Can be used to make stem cells

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16
Q

Melanocytes

A

Pigment producing dendritic cells
Produce melanin
Forms protective cap oer nucleus in basal cells

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17
Q

Where do melanocytes arise from?

A

Migrate from neural crest -> epidermis (basal and supra basal layers) in the first 3 months of foetal development

18
Q

What are the function of melanosomes in melanocytes?

A

Convert tyrosine -> melanin

19
Q

2 types of melanin

A

Eumelanin (brown/black)

Phaemelanin (red/yellow)

20
Q

Melanocytes:basal cells

A

1:10
Ratio is constant irrespective of race (i.e. - dark and light skin have the same number of melanocytes but dark skin produces more melanin than light skin)

21
Q

What is melanin?

A

Gives colour to the skin and hair

22
Q

Langerhans cell

A

Type of dendritic cell involved in the skin immune system
Act as guards in the epidermis.
First line of defence

23
Q

Where do langerhans cells arise from?

And where are they located?

A

Bone marrow

Located in the prickle cell layer (supra basal)

24
Q

Melanocytes histology

A

Halo appearance around them

25
Q

Langerhans histology

A

tennis raquet appearance (brick granules)

26
Q

Merkel cells

A

Mechanoreceptors - Present the connection between the skin and the brain
Essential for light touch responses

27
Q

Merkel cells location

A

Basal layer of epidermis

At highest density at the fingertips where touch sensation is most acute

28
Q

Pacinian corpuscles

A

Detect pressure
Deep in the dermis
Look like onions

29
Q

Meissners corpuscles

A

Detect vibration

Superficial in the dermis (i.e. immediately below the DE junction)

30
Q

DE junction

A

Interface between epidermis and dermis

Semi-permeable membrane

31
Q

DE junction - functions

A

Maintain structure

Support, anchor, adhesion, growth and differentiation of basal cells, key role in messaging

32
Q

DE junction - parts

A

Lamina lucida
Lamina densa
Sub lamina densa

33
Q

Components of the dermis

A

Cells:
Fibroblasts, Macrophages, Mast cells, Lymphocytes, Langerhans cells

Fibres:
Collagen, Elastin

Blood vessels - superficial and deep plexus
lymphatics - follow the blood vessels
nerves - somatic sensory, autonomic nerves

34
Q

Fibroblasts

A

Found in dermis

Make collagen

35
Q

What happens as a result of decreased collagen

A

Increased wrinkles and therefore increased ageing

36
Q

Skin as a physical barrier

A

Trauma, Friction, UV radiation

37
Q

Skin as a chemical barrier

A

Irritants, allergens, toxins

38
Q

Skin as a pathogen barrier

A

Bacteria, viruses, fungi

39
Q

Vit D metabolism in the skin

A

Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin and is stored in the liver as hydroxycholecalciferol.
This is converted to 1,25-digydroxycholecalciferol in the kidney

40
Q

Where do we get Vit D from?

A

Sunlight

Diet

41
Q

Function of Vit D

A

Promote mineralisation of bone

42
Q

The skin and thermoregulation

A

Thermoreceptors control sweating, shivering, blood supply
As core temp increases:
- shivering decreases
- sweating increases
- blood flow to skin increases (vasodilation)

Dermatology SOH (27 decks)

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