Tissues 11- Hair and nails Flashcards
What are the functions of hair
Protection- Most obvious is protection – UV on the head (skin cancer on bald scalps)
- physical - eyelashes
- role depends on body location
Protects against minor trauma
Communication- sexual attraction, health, maturity
Sensation- Although hairs do not contain nerve fibres, hairs have sensory innervation in the follicles (hair shaft) which can amplify sensation. Hairs can also act as levers, amplifying movement.
Thermoregulation from an evolutionary perspective when man walked around naked– to some extent, practically speaking it doesn’t do much in man
2 aspects
Goosebumps when cold
Sweat evaporation more effectively from hair with the greater surface area, (evolutionary) - acts as lubricant for motion in areas like axilla, groin
What do hairs and nails have in common
Protein (Keratin) product of the hair follicle (mini-organ) & nail matrix
Name 2 places which don’t have hair
Everywhere except mucous membranes, palms and soles
- 5 million hairs on the body
- Only 5% on the scalp
(mouth, lips, eyes).
When do you start to grow hair
The 3rd trimester
What are the 3 types of hair
Lanugo
Vellus
Terminal
What constitutes the pilo sebaceous unit
hair follicle
hair shaft
errector pili muscle
sebaceous gland
Describe the different areas of the hair follicle
The follicle can be divided into 3 areas
Infundibulum – surface of skin to opening of the sebaceous glands. This is different because the epithelium is similar to the epidermis (granular layer and s.corneum) and desquamates into the lumen.
Isthmus – gland to insertion of arrector pilli muscle. The inner root sheath layer disintegrates in this level. Stem cells are thought to reside in the buldge (close to the muscle insertion) –important cells – daughter cells go to the bulb to form the shaft and inner root sheath.. Can also help in wound healing.
[suprbulbuar) – outer and inner root sheath. Inner moulds the shape of the hair fibre. Region of hair elongation and sheath production
Bulb- fed by blood from the dermal papilla.
Contains the matrix the produce the cells of the hair shaft and the inner root sheath. In pigmented hair, there are melanocytes – ( depositied in the cortex)
Dermal papilla – loop of capillary blood vessels in large cells and special fibroblast like cells. It is key in determining the type of hair follicle and maintainence of differentiation. It is androgen sensitive ( affect the size of the hair follicle)
Where is the hair shaft found
Above the scalp
What is the role of the hair bulb
Hair Bulb- where the hair grows from, sits in the mid/deep dermis, below the hair root. -the hair bulb is very complex interaction between vasculature and the hair.
What is the role of the arrector pilli muscle
raise the hairs in shivering , to keep warm
What is the role of the sebaceous gland
Makes sebum, lubricates the hair, prevents bacterial and fungal infections
Describe the arrector pilli muscle
Smooth muscle under autonomic control is vestigial in humans, it contracts with cold, fear and emotion to erect the hair, produces goosebumps.
Describe the hair follicle
The hair follicle is an invagination of the epidermis containing a hair. The portion above the site of entry of the sebaceous duct is the infundibulum.
What does the hair shaft consist of
The outer cuticle that encloses a cortex of packed keratinocytes and an inner medulla (terminal hair).
What cell types are found in the hair bulb
The germinative cells are found in the hair bulb, as are melanocytes which synthesise pigment.
Describe the sebaceous glands
Sebaceous glands are found associated with the follicles, especially those of the chest, scalp and back. They are formed of epidermis derived cells and produce an oily sebum. The glands are small in children but become large and active during puberty, being sensitive to androgens. Serum is produced by holocrine secretion in which the cells disintegrate to release their lipid cytoplasm.
Why do sebaceous glands appear clear
Due to their high lipid content.
Where is the hair shaft produced
In the hair bulb
Describe languo hair
Fine and long, formed in the fetus after 20 weeks. Normally shed before birth, but may be seen in premature babies. Also occur in anorexia. unpigmented, unmedullated
Describe terminal hair
Longer, thicker and darker. Found on the scalp, eyebrows, eyelashes and pubic, axillary and beard areas. The originate as a vellus hair, differentiation is stimulated at puberty by androgens.
Describe vellus hair
Short, fine, light coloured and cover most of the body. Unpigmented, unmedullated
What is the pubic louse adapted to grip
Terminal hair
What are demodex mites
Commensal, native to the hair follicles of the nose
What diseases can head and body louse carry
Thyphus- common in war/tsunamis due to lack of sanitation