SUGER Flashcards
(469 cards)
where does normal proliferation of the skin occur?
just in basal layer
what are the functions of the skin?
barrier to infection
thermoregulation
protection against trauma and UV
vitamin D synthesis
regulate H2O loss
layers of the skin
epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue
what is the epidermis?
outermost layer - stratum corneum
what is the epidermis made of?
corneo-desmosomes and desmosomes
what do corneodesmosomes do?
adhesion molecules
keep corneocytes together
when are increased numbers of corneodesmosomes seen?
psoriasis - thickening of the stratum corneum
when are decreased numbers of corneodesmosomes seen?
atopic eczema - thinning of stratum corneum, increased risk of inflammation
what does a healthy skin barrier consist of?
filaggrin, corneocytes
what does filaggrin do?
derived from profilaggrin (structural component of the cornfield envelope)
produces natural moisturising factor
what are corneocytes filled with? why?
NMF
maintain skin’s hydration, keeps H2O inside the skin
what is NMF? what does it do?
natural moisturising factor
maintain skin hydration, keep NMF inside skin
maintain acidic environment at outer surface of the stratum corneum
filled with acids
what is desquamation?
mature corneocytes are shed from the surface of the stratum corneum
balance introduction of new cells in basal layer
degradation of extracellular corneodesmosomes under protease enzymes
what enzymes are involved in desquamation?
proteases - degradation of extracellular corneodesmosomes
what is the pH of normal skin? what does this allow?
5.5
proteases remain on skin - enables balance of new cells from basal layers
what does lipid lamellae do?
keeps water inside skin cells
irritants/allergens bounce off surface of skin
what is the brick wall model?
corneocytes are the bricks, corneodesmosomes are the iron rods and lipid lamellae is the cement
iron rods only rusty near surface of skin barrier
what is the role of vitamin D in the skin?
producing the anti-microbial peptides needed to defend the skin from bacteria and viruses
what do irritants and allergens do?
irritants break down healthy skin
allergens trigger flare ups by penetrating into the skin and causing it to react
skin flare ups
caused by allergens - met with lymphocytes which release chemicals to induce inflammation
types of inflammation
red skin - dilation of blood vessels
itchy skin - stimulation of nerves
dry skin - skin cells leaking
cause of increased pH on skin
profilaggrin and filaggrin aren’t present - lack of NMF, so less water retention in corneocytes
effect of increased pH on skin
due to less water retention in corneocytes
damage to skin barrier as corneodesmosomes are damaged -> breakdown of skin and increased risk of infection
what happens in acne?
hypercornification