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Dermatology > Structure and Function of the Skin > Flashcards

Structure and Function of the Skin Flashcards

1
Q

Which part of the skin is comprised of stratified squamous epithelium?

A

Epidermis

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2
Q

Merkel cells reside in which layer of the epidermis?

A

Basal cell layer

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3
Q

Where do langerhans cells in the skin originate?

A

Bone marrow

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4
Q

Basic skin atomy develops after how many weeks of gestation?

A

16 weeks

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5
Q

Which parts of the skin have developed by 4 weeks of gestation?

A
  1. Periderm
  2. Basal layer
  3. Dermis
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6
Q

After how many weeks of gestation is the skin considered fully formed?

A

26 weeks

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7
Q

Which structures within the skin are hairs always associated with?

A
  1. Arrector pili muscles
  2. Hair bulbs
  3. Sebaceous sweat glands
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8
Q

What causes albinism?

A

Absence of genes which allow melanin to be formed

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9
Q

Which hormone is required for melanosomes to be produced to allow for melanin production?

A

Melanocyte stimulating hormone

(derived from ACTH from the pituitary)

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10
Q

What are Blaschko’s lines?

A

Lines which show developmental growth patterns of skin

(related to different cell groups which grow, divide and migrate over time - the lines are the separations between such populations)

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11
Q

The dermis is comprised mostly of what?

A

Connective tissue

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12
Q

In which cell can mechanoreceptors be found?

A

Merkel cells

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13
Q

What causes vitiligo?

A

Autoimmune condition causing a relative lack of melanocytes

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14
Q

What are the layers of the epidermis from superficial to deep?

A
  1. Keratin layer (stratum corneum)
  2. Clear layer (Stratum lucidum)*
  3. Granular layer (Stratum granulosum)
  4. Prickle layer (Stratum spinosum)
  5. Basal layer (Stratum basale)

*Not considered a major layer

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15
Q

Why is it important the cells in the basal layer are protected most by melanin?

A

Stem cells reside here

DNA must be capped by melanin as this cannot be replaced

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16
Q

Which cell type of most prominent in the epidermis?

A

Keratinocytes (95%)

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17
Q

Which two major conditions involves increased epidermal turnover?

A
  1. Psoriasis
  2. Skin cancer
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18
Q

What induces merkel cell cancer?

A

Infection from viruses

(Rare and high mortality cancer)

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19
Q

In which cell may Birbeck granules be found?

A

Langerhans cells

(they look like tennis rackets)

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20
Q

What is the name given to melanin that is black/brown in colour?

A

Eumelanin

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21
Q

What is the name given to melanin that is red/yellow in colour?

A

Pheomelanin

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22
Q

What is the correct order for the stages of hair growth?

A
  1. Anagen (Growing)
  2. Catagen (Involuting)
  3. Telogen (resting
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23
Q

Where do melanocytes originate?

A

Neural crest

(in ectoderm during embryogenesis)

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24
Q

What may increase within the skin in reponse to mechanical pressures?

A

Keratin

(for increased strength)

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25
The epidermis arises from whcih embryological tissue?
Ectoderm
26
Which cells within the skin are the outermost cells able to detect microbes?
Langerhans cells
27
What is the treatment for vitiligo?
Phototherapy (filtered phototherapy can control the autoimmune response)
28
Which layer of the epidermis contains filaggrin and involucrin?
Granular layer (provides such substances to maintain water barrier of skin)
29
Which type of granules will release filaggrin and involucrin?
Lamellar | (within the granular layer)
30
What is the term given to the remnant of granular cells which now have no nucleus?
Corneocytes (cells of the granular layer are **flattened**, lose thier **nucleus**, release contents of **lamellar granules** (filaggrin and involucrin) and create **2-3 layers** to become the keratin layer)
31
How many days does it take for cells to migrate from the basement membrane to the keratin layer?
28 days
32
What is the most common cause of hair loss?
Telogen effluvium
33
For which reason do humans not go bald during the telogen phase?
The telogen phase is asynchronous (all hairs reach this stage at different times)
34
What marks the boundary between the epidermis and dermis?
Papillae | (folded for mechanical stability)
35
What happens when the nail matrix is damaged during mechanical trauma?
1. Stem cells undergo trauma 2. Normal nail still grows 3. Areas of opacities and crumbly regions may be present where the process of differentiation has been disrupted
36
Which amino acid is converted to melanin within melanosomes?
Tyrosine
37
Which do children with phenylketonuria (PKU) often have pale skin, blond hair and blue eyes?
1. The process of converting phenylalanine to tyrosine is disrupted 2. Tyrosine is required to be converted to melanin within melanosomes 3. Less melanin is produced
38
What are nails comprised of?
Specialised keratins
39
What causes Nelson's syndrome?
**Excess ACTH** release from the pituitary (leads to excess MSH production causing **increased melanin**) It is common in people who have had adrenal glands removed after suffering from Cushing's syndrome/disease
40
The dermis arises from which embyological tissue?
Mesoderm
41
Which three main factors control epidermal turnover?
1. Growth factors 2. Cell death 3. Hormones
42
How is melanin transferred to other cells after production?
Via dendritic like processes of melanocytes
43
Which skin gland is mainly found in the axillae and perineum, is androgen dependent and produces oily fluid responsible for body odour as bacteria decompose it?
Apocrine
44
How many types of glands can be found in the skin?
3
45
What are the different types of glands which can be found in the skin?
1. Eccrine 2. Sebaceous 3. Apocrine
46
Fow which reason do the blood vessels in the dermis supply blood surplus to metabolic demands?
Thermoregulation
47
Which glands are most commonly found on the face and chest?
Sebaceous
48
What is bullous pemphigoid?
Autoimmune condition Involves blister formation at dermo-epidermal junction
49
What is epidermolysis bullosa?
Inherited condition Blisters form from slightest tough or mechanical pressure Children with the condition are referred to as buttery children due to their skin delicacy
50
Which condition may also be referred to as Hansen's disease?
Leprosy
51
Which skin gland is the most common overall?
Eccrine
52
Which three layers comprise the dermo-epidermal junction from superficial to deep?
1. Lamina lucida 2. Lamina densa 3. Sub-lamina zone
53
How does neurofibromatosis affect the nerve endings?
Causes overgrowth of nerve endings
54
In which layer of the skin is the papilla of a hair follicle found?
Dermis
55
The dermo-epidermal junction has which roles?
1. Semi-permeable membrane acting as a filter and barrier 2. Support and anchorage of basal cells
56
Why does skin sag with age?
1. Less collagen is produced 2. Collagen becomes disordered
57
What is a haemangioma?
Collection of dilated blood vessels giving dark red/purple appearance
58
Which receptors in the skin are specialised for a) Only light pressure b) Deep pressure and vibration
a) Meissners corpuscles b) Pacinian corpuscles
59
Eccrine glands are prompted by which stimuli?
1. Temperature 2. Mental (concious thought) 3. Gustatory (taste)
60
For which reasons is vitamin D useful?
1. Increases calcium absorption from the bowel 2. Promotes mineralisation of bone 3. Contributes to normal immune cell functioning
61
For which reasons is vitamin A useful?
1. Promoting good vision 2. Contributing to normal immune cell function
62
Name the autoimmune condition which attacks papilla of hair follicles
Alopecia areata
63
In which layer of the skin are immune cells most abundant?
Dermis (Macrophages, mast cells, lymphocytes and Langerhans cells)
64
What is the difference in the amount of mites on an individual's skin if they have regular scabies versus crusted (Norweigen) scabies?
12 vs 100,000+
65
Which gland is not part of the pilosebaceous unit?
Eccrine | (Unit includes apocrine and sebaceous)
66
What is the most abdundant protein in the dermis?
Collagen
67
UV light is required for vitamin D metabolism. Which wavelength of UV is required and what does it do to produce vitamin D?
Required wavelength - 290-320nm Converts 7-dehydrocholesterol to vitamin D3
68
Where does most thyroxine convert to triiodothyronine within the body?
Skin and peripheral tissues | (Only around 20% in the thyroid gland)
69
What do Pacinian corpuscles look under a microscope?
Half onions
70
In which two ways is vitamin D obtained by the body?
1. Synthesised in the skin via UV light exposure 2. Diet

Dermatology (18 decks)

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