Study 2 - Skin and Musculature

Question 1

Skin

Answer 1

– Sensory Organ
– Functions:
o Protect against trauma and infection;
o Regulate body temperature;
o Help eliminate fluids (through the sweat glands)
o Prevent dehydration;
o Conserve electrolytes (such as potassium and sodium);
o Manufacture Vitamin D.

Question 2

Melanin

Answer 2

the colour of the skin is due to a pigment.

Question 3

Three Types of the Skin

Answer 3

• • Epidermis: Outermost part of the skin, Made up of several layers of cells that are constantly being replaced.
• • Dermis – lower main layer – also known as corium. Contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, hair roots and fat cells. Extremely elastic and can stretch when an injury causes fluid to build under the skin. Decompression – a surgical procedure which can be used to release fluids.
• • Subcutaneous tissue

Question 4

Cutaneous

Answer 4

refers to anything pertaining to the skin.

Question 5

Neurological deficit

Answer 5

nerve involvement which manifests itself through pain, a tingling sensation, or a loss of sensation (numbness) in a part of the body.

Question 6

Types of injuries to the skin:

Answer 6

• • Abrasion – When the skin is denuded by rubbing and scraping
• • Contusion – injury where the skin is not broken. Example: Bruising
• • Ligation – the tying or bonding of blood vessels.
• • Lacerations – tears of the flesh
• • Haemorrhage – excessive discharge of blood either internally or externally.
• • Scarring, plastic surgeons

Question 7

Burns

Answer 7

• • Caused by exposure to excessive heat (open flame, hot oil, steam, hot water), chemicals or electricity.
• • The severity of burns is governed by the amount of skin loss and the depth of burn

Question 8

Levels of severity of burns

Answer 8

o First degree burns – superficial. Skin becomes reddened and inflamed on the skin surface.
o Second degree burns – cause blistering and some destruction of the superficial layers of the skin. This type of wound is susceptible to infection.
o Third degree burns – cause severe damage to the thickness of the skin and underlying tissue. Damage may extend to the burn.

Question 9

Effects of burns

Answer 9

o Loss of water, plasma (fluid component of the blood), plasma proteins which can lead to shock.
 Shock – brought on by collapse of the circulatory system. A condition often caused by severe injury.
o Bacterial infection
o Reduced circulation of blood
o Decrease in urine production

Question 10

Burn treatment:

Answer 10

o Replacing lost fluids to prevent shock
o Cleaning the wound by removing all dead tissue so antibacterial agents gain direct contact with the burn surface to prevent infection
o Applying skin grafts

Question 11

Muscles

Answer 11

• • More than 600 bones comprising in three groups
• • Skeletal muscles move the bones of the body
• • Smooth Muscles are found in the blood vessels and internal organs
• • Cardiac Muscles tissue is striated involuntary muscle with a single nucleus

Question 12

Types of cells and muscle fibres in muscles

Answer 12

• Tendons – fascia and muscles that taper into cords of tissues.
• Muscles work together in groups to move arms, legs and other parts of the body.
• Flexion – means flexing or bending a part of the body.
• Extension – means extending or straightening a part of the body.
o Dorsiflexion – when the toes and feet are bent upwards.
o Plantarflexion – used to describe the opposite downward movement of the foot.
• Biceps (flexor muscles) – bend the arm at the elbow.
• Triceps (extensor muscles) – straighten the arm.

Question 13

Types of Knee Muscles

Answer 13

o Quadriceps muscle group is located in front of the femur
 Controls leg straightening at the knee and hip bending.
o Hamstring muscle group
 Powers and controls knee bending and straightening of the thigh.
o Gastrocnemius muscle (calf)
 Powers and controls the pointing of the foot downward.
o Achilles tendon
 Forms the prominent ridge at the back of the lower part of the leg.

Question 14

Types of Neck Muscles

Answer 14

o Sternocleidomastoid – a muscle in the neck commonly referred to as the sternomastoid.
 Attached to the clavicle and it is involved in the movement of the head.
o Trapezius is in the upper back area.
 It is involved in raising the shoulders

Question 15

Ligaments

Answer 15

• • bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones or cartilages.
• • They surround joints to give them stability with the help of muscles.

Question 16

Strain

Answer 16

the overstretching and possible tearing of muscle or tendon fibres

Question 17

Sprain

Answer 17

involves the partial or complete tearing of the ligament.

o Also referred to as a torn ligament.

Question 18

Cervical and Lumbar Strains

Answer 18

 Flexion-extension strain – whiplash.
 Cervical (neck) / Lumbar (back).
 Treatment:
o In some cases, drug therapy may induce depression, anxiety and an inability to exercise.
o Nerve block injections – long-term pain relief.
o Chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic manipulations and biofeedback sessions.

Question 19

Fibromyalgia:

Answer 19

• Also known as chronic pain syndrome.
• This diagnosis is used for conditions of disabling pain that persists 3-6 months beyond a reasonable recovery period.
• Chronic pain – pain that persists over a long period of time.
• Acute pain – pain that lasts a relatively short time.
• Fibromyalgia – describes persistent, disabling pain in the muscles over a long period of time.
• Treatment:
o Pain management programs
o Analgesic, muscle relaxants, antidepressants and other classes of drugs
• Psychological evaluations are sometimes completed.
• Claimant must also establish sufficient proof that the condition was caused by the accident.