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SKIIIIIINNNNNNN > Structure and function of Skin > Flashcards

Structure and function of Skin Flashcards

1
Q

What does integument or integumentary system refer to?

A

Refers to the skin, hair and nails

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2
Q

What is the largest and heaviest organ of the body?

A

Skin is the largest and heaviest organ of the body

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3
Q

What are the main function of skin?

A

1) Barrier against:
- Dehydration
- Infection
- Injury
- Solar radiation
2) Thermoregulation
3) Sensation
4) Repair
5) Vitamin D production

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4
Q

What are the 3 layers of skin?

A
  • Epidermis
  • Dermis
  • Hypodermis
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5
Q

Where does the thickness of the epidermis vary?

A

Thickness varies around the body

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6
Q

What are the 4 main layers of the epidermis?

A
  • Basal layer
  • Stratum spinosum
  • Stratum granulosum
  • Stratum corneum
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7
Q

What does the basal layer contain?

A

Contain the stem cells of skin that constantly proliferate

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8
Q

What does the stratum spinosum have many of?

A

The cells have many desmosomes visible as spines between cells

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9
Q

What is the stratum granulosum?

A

1-4 layers of cells containing prominent granules

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10
Q

What does the stratum granulosum contain?

A

Contain lamellar bodies containing lipids

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11
Q

What do the cell of the stratum granulosum do?

A

The cells are differentiating to form the stratum corneum

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12
Q

What is the stratum corneum?

A

It is the outer protective layer of the epidermis

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13
Q

What is the stratum corneum made up of?

A

Are squamous cells which have lost their nucleus

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14
Q

What does it mean by the stratum corneum being cornified?

A

Means they’re full of keratin thus tough to injury

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15
Q

What are between the cells in the stratum corneum layer?

A

Non-polar lipids are between the cells

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16
Q

What are the other epidermal cell types?

A
  • Melanocytes
  • Langerhans cells
  • Merkel cells
17
Q

What do melanocytes synthesise?

A

Synthesise melanosomes and transfer them to basal keratinocytes through long dendrites

18
Q

How do keratinocytes arrange melanin pigments?

A

Keratinocytes arrange melanin pigments in a cap distal to the nucleus

19
Q

What are langerhans cells involved in?

A

Involved in the immune system as antigen presenting cells

20
Q

What type of cells are langerhans cells?

A

Are dendritic cells

21
Q

Where does vitamin D production occur?

A

Made in the epidermis, mostly in the basal cells and also stratum spinosum

22
Q

What does vitamin D production require?

A

Requires UV light

23
Q

Where is vitamin D converted into the active form?

A

Converted to active form in liver and kidney:

-1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3

24
Q

What is the dermis?

A

Is dense, irregular connective tissue

25
Q

What does collagen in the dermis provide?

A

Collagen in the dermis provides tensile strength hence protection against abrasion and impact

26
Q

What does the dermis contain giving its elasticity?

A

Contains elastin

27
Q

What does the dermis carry?

A

Carries blood and nerve supply for the epidermis

28
Q

Properties of the dermal epidermal border?

A

Dermal epidermal border is often wavy to resist shear forces

  • Can have finger like dermal papillae
  • The epidermis can have rete ridges
29
Q

What is one effect of UV light on skin?

A

One effect of UV light on skin is damaged/loss of elastic fibres, resulting in loss of elasticity
-Wrinkles

30
Q

What syringe do you use for the hypodermis?

A

Where you put a hypodermic syringe for a subcutaneous injection

31
Q

What is the hypodermis composed of?

A

Composed of fat, containing glands, hair follicles, nerves and blood vessels

32
Q

What is the thickest layer of skin?

A

The hypodermis

33
Q

What is the function of the hypodermis?

A

Function is to provide insulation, cushioning and energy storage

34
Q

What does the sebaceous gland secrete?

A

Secretes oily sebum into hair follicles

35
Q

What is the eccrine sweat glands and what does it secrete?

A
  • Normal sweat glands

- Watery secretions onto skin surface and cools body by evaporation

36
Q

What does the apocrine secrete?

A

Secretes oily fluids into hair follicles

37
Q

Where are apocrine glands found?

A

Found in armpits and any genital region

38
Q

What sense organs are present in the skin?

A 
Thermoreceptors
-Senses heat or cold
Meissner's corpuscle
-Senses touch
Nociceptor
-Senses pain
Pacinian corpuscle
-Senses pressure

SKIIIIIINNNNNNN (3 decks)

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