The Skin in podiatry Flashcards
Describe what the Integumentary system is and what it is comprised of
The Integumentary system in simple terms is a set of organs which form the outermost layer of the human body. It comprises the following:
- Skin
- Hair
- Nails
- Glands
- Nerves
Describe the structure and function of the skin
The skin consists of 3 main components, these being:
- The Epidermis
- The Dermis
- The Dermoepidermal junction
Detail the charecteristics of the Epidermis
- Epidermis is Avascular (Has no blood vessels)
- Outermost layer of the skin which forms primary Protective layer for the body (waterproof barrier)
- Made up of three types of cells Keratinocytes, Melaninocytes and Lagerhans
- Produces new skin cells via the Stratum Basale Layer
What are Keratinocytes
2 answers
Keratinocytes - Highly specialized cells which produce the protein keratin in order to form a protective barrier and stop foreign substances form entering the body. They also play a structural role in the skin forming tight bonds with other cells in order to maintain them in place
What are Melanynocytes
- Melonynocytes produce the protein kown as melanin which is responsible for the skins pigment.
- Melanin protects against UV radiation
What are Lagerhan Cells
- Lagerhan cells are a form of dendretic cells (Antigen presenting cells) which perform phagocytoses (ingest and eliminate foreign substances) protecting against microorganisms and foreign substances.
- They are most common in the Stratum spinosum layer
- After performing phagocytoses the transport portions of the microbe they ingested to the cell membrane presenting it to other immune cells helpin to stimulate immune reactions
What is acute inflammation
- Acute inflammation is an immediate to infection or tissue damage
- It is short in duration lasting from minutes to several days depending on severity
What are the clinical features of inflammation
- Redness (Rubor)
- Heat (Calor)
- Swelling (Tumor)
- Pain (Dolor)
What are the main affects of Chemical/Inflammitory Mediators associated with inflammation
Main features of inflammtion there are 2
PP IG
- Vasodialation - widening of blood cells to enhance blood flow to areas lacking oxeygen and/or other nuetrient (Redness and Heat)
- Increased blood vessel permiability that allow plasma proteins and immunogloblins to pass easily through tissue (increased fluid causes swelling)
What is the mainsaty treatment for acute inflammation
- R - Rest
- I - Ice
- C- Compression
- E - Elevation
- (This should be adapted for different patients and situations)
Define Chronic Wound
- Wounds that fail to procceed through normal stages of wound healing in an orderly and timely manner
- Normal Stages - Haemostasis, Inflammation, proliferation and remodelling)
Define Aetiology
The cause of a disease or condition
Detail the numerous steps to the assessment of a chronic wound
Patient History - General assesment of the patients current health status and an in depth look at patient history to determine any medical comorbidities (having 2 or more medical conditions at the same time) and contributing factors
Nuerological and vascular assessments - In order to help identify wound aeitology (Cause of a disease/condition)
Tissue Viability Assesment - to identify presence of any infection e.g. necrosis (Death of tissue), Erythema (Red skin rash), Gangrene (loss of blood supply causing tissue to die)
General Skin Viability - Depth, Size, Site, Odour and apperance of peri wound (tissue around the wound . Nature of the wound margins, base of the wound and the amount and type of exudate should all be assessed.
What is Osteomyelitis
Osteomyelitis is an infection in the bone causing pain and discomfort.
Infection reach the bone by travelling through the bloodstream or spreading from nearby tissue.
Define Pathogenesis
Development of a disease or condition (the process by which a disease or condition develops)
Describe the pathogenesis of Chronic wounds (The proccess by which an infection lead to a disease)
The normal inflamatory proccess is distrupted and a particular set of physiological traits occur:
- Increased levels of Pro Inflamatory cytokines (Cytokines that favour inflammation) (Cytokines are secreted proteins which aid cell to cell communication in immune response)
- High levels of reactive oxeygen species (Unstable molecule which contains oxeygen and easily reacts with other molecules in a cell causing damage to dna rna and cell death)
- High levels of bacteria colonization
Describe Atrophy of the skin and its characteristics
- Degradation of and thinning of the Dermis/Epidermis
- Thin mechanically weak with poor viability (will struggle to heal when damaged)
- Atrophic skin lacks nutrition due to poor blood supply