02-13 Cutaneous Histology & Cell Biology Flashcards

1. Label the 4 layers of the normal epidermis, the 2 layers of the normal dermis, the basement membrane, and the panniculus. 2. List 3 characteristics of each of the following normal cells: keratinocytes, melanocytes, Langerhans cells, lymphocytes, eosinophils, neutrophils, mast cells, and histocytes/macrophages. 3. Describe the 3 types of glands normally found in the skin and describe the 3 elements of the normal pilosebaceous unit. 4. List 3 functions of normal vascular endothelial cells.

1
Q

Layers of the skin?

A
  1. epidermis
  2. dermis
  3. subcutaneous fat
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2
Q

OBJECTIVE: List the layers of the normal epidermis

  • Cell types?
A
  1. Stratum corneum
  2. (Stratum lucidum)
  3. Stratum granulosum
  4. Stratum spinosum
  5. Stratum basalis

All keratinocytes

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3
Q

Lateral connections between keratinocytes?

A

Adherent to each other via desmosomes (“intercellular bridges” or “prickles” or “spines”)

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4
Q

Pemphigous vugaris vs. bullous pemphigoid (which is here?)

A
  • BULLOUS PEMPHIGOID on other side
  • this is pem vulgaris
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5
Q

Dx? Etio?

A

Melasma, dark, irregular well-demarcated hyperpigmented macules to patches commonly found on upper cheek, nose, lips, upper lip, and forehead

  • often develop gradually over time.
  • no other symptoms beyond the cosmetic discoloration.
  • common is particularly common in women, especially pregnant women and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or (HRT)
  • also common in pre-menopausal women.
  • thought to be enhanced by hormone surges in certain hormones.
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6
Q

Langerhans Cells

  • Fxn
  • Histo appearance
  • EM appearance
  • Appearance of malig transformation
A
  • Primary APC of the skin
    • Involved in allergic contact dermatitis
  • Clear-staining cells in the suprabasilar epidermis
    • Markedly folded nucleus, no desmosomes
  • Contain a unique organelle: the Birbeck granule = a 3D, sphere-shaped w/ protruding rods
    • tennis racket on EM
  • Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis
    • Kidney bean or sandal w/ neoplastic transformation (seen here)
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7
Q

What cells are these?

  • Describe appearance
  • Fxn?
A

Eosinophils

Appearance

  • Slightly larger than neutrophils
  • Bi-lobed (or _tri-_lobed) nucleus
  • Granules of stain strongly eosinophilic (red)

Fxn

  • Phag imm cmplxs and mast cell granules
  • major roles in:
    • anaphylactic reactions (Type I)
    • hypersensitivity reactions (e.g. drugs or contact)
    • parasitic infections
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8
Q

Dx? Tell me about it

A

Sweet’s Syndrome: neutrophilic dermatosis

  • Sterile!
  • para-neoplastic syndrome

A neutrophilic dermatosis is defined as a heavy dermal infiltrate of neutrophils where infection has been ruled out

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9
Q

Mast cells looks like

  • Tell me more
A

fried eggs, [this is a MASTOCYTOSIS (neoplastic proilf of mast cells) here]

  • Oval to spindle-shaped
  • Concentrated around BVs
  • many cytoplasmic granules (do not stain with hematoxylin-eosin) w/ serine proteases (tryptase and chymase) inside
  • Stain with methylene blue, Giemsa, and Leder stains
  • Degranulate after cross-linking with IgE on the cell surface
  • Triggering degranulation can lead to anaphylaxis
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10
Q

Dx? Cell responsible for this?

A

Xanthoma, M0s that have digested lipids

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11
Q

Dx?

A

Sarcoidosis (sarcoid granules)

  • vs. caseating necrosis of TB
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12
Q

Histiocytes and M0s

  • Granuloma = quoi?
A
  • “Histiocytes and macrophages are synonymous”
    • Histiocytes (per wiki) = tissue M0s
  • BM-derived precursors in blood = monos
    • Differentiate into M0s with proper stimulation
    • Make up the “mononuclear phagocytic system”
  • Aggregates of activated macrophages are referred to as granulomas
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13
Q

What are these?

A

Eccrine (sweat) glands

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14
Q

3 types of skin glands?

  • Mechanism of secretion
A
  • Apocrine* glands: mostly in odor-producing areas (e.g. axillary, anogenital regions), and the breasts, eyelids, and ear canals.
    • Function unknown (other than to cause B.O.)
    • *by membrane budding
  • **Eccrine glands: **merocrine** sweat glands all over body
    • for temp regulation (incl palms, soles)
    • **excreted via exocytosis into lumen
  • Sebaceous glands: holocrine***, unilobular and multilobular, and secrete sebum
    • ***secretions released by the rupture of PM, destroys cell → secretion into lumen
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15
Q

Hair follicle 101

  • Three portions
  • Sub-portions
  • Follicle is associated w/ what other structures
A

Three portions:

  1. infundibulum (top of skin)
  2. isthmus
  3. lower - composed of 5 portions:
    1. Dermal hair papilla
    2. Hair matrix
    3. hair shaft (medulla, cortex and cuticle)
    4. Inner root sheath (inner root sheath cuticle, Huxley layer, Henle layer)
    5. Outer root sheath

-Associated with the arrector pili muscle (smooth muscle) and sebaceous glands

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16
Q

Weibel-Palade body

A

an electron-dense, rod-shaped structure in endothelial cells

  • store and release: vWF and P-selectin
17
Q

Name this structure. What is its fxn?

A

MEISSNER CORPUSCLE

  • Mechanoreceptor responsible for sensitivity to light touch
18
Q

Name this structure and its fxn

A

PACINIAN CORPUSCLE

  • responsible for sensitivity to vibration and pressure
19
Q

PANNICULUS = ?

A

subQ belly fat hanging down

20
Q

Describe the cell types and organization of the dermis

A

COMPOSITION

  • largely of C.T. (incl collagen and elastic fibers)
  • Supports a vascular network, nerve fibers, the pilosebaceous system, and sweat glands
  • underlaid by fat
  • Cells: fibroblasts, histiocytes, and a few tissue mast cells and migratory blood cells.
  • Superficial aspect appears as finger-like projections (papillae) supporting and nourishing the epidermis. Each papilla contains a capillary loop, lymph channel, and nerve fibrils supported in a connective tissue stroma.

ORGANIZED INTO TWO LAYERS

  1. Papillary dermis: immediately beneath the epidermis send spikes up to nourish the epidermis
    • primarily type III collagen
    • more cellular than the reticular dermis
    • separated from the deeper dermis by a horizontal BV plexus
  2. Reticular dermis
    • the bulk of the dermis; deep to the papillary dermis
    • large bundles of type I collagen and elastic fibers
    • BVs pass vertically through to connect subQ horizontal plexus with the horizontal subpapillary plexus
21
Q

What nervous entity transmits the sensations of pain, itch, and temperature?

A

unmyelinated nerve endings in the papillary dermis