THE SKIN

Question 1

Describe the epithelium of the skin:

Answer 1

it is ‘stratified’ and ‘squamous’
Layer upon layer of cells are derived from activity of a basal layer of dividing cells, the stratum germinativum

Question 2

As the cells move upwards through the epithelium, what happens?

Answer 2

the nuclei degenerate and become pycnotic

Question 3

What happens after the nuclei become pycnotic?

Answer 3

Granules accumulate in the cytoplasm (stratum granulosum) and a fibrous proteinm keratin is produced

Question 4

What happens near the surface of the epithelium?

Answer 4

the dead cells form a waterproof layer (stratum corneum) which continually desquamates as it is replaced from below

Question 5

What layer of the skin’s epithelium is waterproof?

Answer 5

the stratum corneum

Question 6

what layer of the skin’s epithelium continually desquamates?

Answer 6

the stratum corneum

Question 7

What is happening beneath the epithelium?

Answer 7

the connective tissue of the dermis gives way to a random arrangement of muscle fibres.

Question 8

Beneath the epithelium, apart from the arrangement of muscles fibres, what else may be seen?

Answer 8

Hair follicles, sebaceous glands and sudorific (sweat) glands