Integumentary system (skin) Flashcards
(29 cards)
What are the 3 layers of the skin
- epidermis
- dermis
- hypodermis (aka subcutaneous tissue)
What is within the epidermis?
- stratum corneum
- stratum lucidum
- stratum granulosum
- stratum spinosum
- stratum basale
- papillary layer
What is within the dermis?
- dermal papillae
- meissner’s corpuscle
- free nerve ending
- reticular layer of dermis
- sebaceous gland
- arrector pill muscle
- sensory nerve fiber
- eccrine sweat glands
- pancinian corpuscle
- hair root
- hair follicle receptor
What is within the hypodermis?
- adipose tissue
- vein
- artery
Accessory strucstures and appendages
- hair- protection, warmth, sensory reception, pscyhcosocial
- nails- protect fingers and toes
- sweat glands- lubricate and waterproof
- nerves
- blood vessels
- lymphatics
What are the 5 functions of the skin?
- protection
- immunological response
- biochemical functions
- thermoregulation
- social and sexual functions
Biochemical functions (vitamin D)
- absorption of calcium
- absorption of phosphorus
- protection of immune cells
- protection of natural cells
- absence increased risk factor for brain disease
Biochemical functions (vitamin A)
- homeostasis of the skin
- stimulates new skin cells
- moisturising
- maintaining healthy immune system
Structure and role in thermoregulation
- hair erector muscle- contracts to make hair stand up
- hair- stands up to trap layer of warm skin
- nerve ending- sense change in temp and send info to brain via sensory neurone
- blood vessel- vaso construction and vaso dialation
- fat tissue- insulate against heat loss
- sweat gland- sweat evaporates in order to up heat loss
Sensory receptors in human skin
free nerve endings (heat, cold, pain)
merkel disks (touch)
krause end bulbs (touch)
root hair plexus (touch)
meissner corpuscles (touch)
pacinian corpscules (pressure)
ruffini endings (pressure)
What is skin integrity?
The skin have many important roles but to fulfil those roles it must be intact. Altered skin integrity contributes to the development of injuries and can lead to risk of infection, limb loss, and even death
External factors of skin integrity
- friction, shear
- pressure,
- falling,
- paralysis,
- surgical procedures
Internal factors of skin integrity
- skin diseases,
- malnutrition and the resulting lifestyle disease,
- diabetes,
- vascular diseases.
The skin’s natural barrier
- bricks- corneocytes
- mortar- lipids
- natural oil- sebum
- natural moisturising factor (NMF)- hygroscopic
Breakdown of the skin barrier
water loss > bricks shrink and crack > water loss > motar breaks down and gaps appear > water loss
How to undertake a skin assessment
- Past medical history, such as medications and allergies
- Any family history of skin problems
- Enquire whether the patient has vulnerable skin. This might include extremes of age,
previous skin breakdown, cellulitis or lymphoedema - Wound-related factors, such as oedema, exudating wounds, infection and pressure
damage - The condition of the skin - if it is dry, itchy, cracked, red, macerated or sore
- Dermatology conditions, such as eczema, psoriasis, rashes or sensitivities
- The duration of skin problems and any seasonal variations
- Skin hygiene regime, so you can understand how she cares for her skin
- What makes the condition of the skin better or worse.
What is cellulitis?
- Common bacterial skin infection that causes
redness, swelling and pain in the infected area.
Wound care and hygiene are vital in preventing
its occurrence.
What is lymphedema?
- A build up of protein rich fluid in the tissues which would normally be cleared through the lymphatic system. Can be treated with compression.
Eczema vs psoriasis
eczema: swelling, dryness, rashes, itchiness. cause unknown often related to allergies and external irritants
psoriasis: immune system causes skin cells to multiply faster than usual and dead cells build up on skins surface
What is maceration?
The softening and breaking down of skin resulting from prolonged exposure to moisture.
What does a skin examination help you identify?
- Areas of dry or scaly skin
- Skin perfusion, for example, pale, shiny or hairless skin
- Skin pigmentation, for
example, jaundice, lipodermatosclerosis - Distribution and characteristics of skin rashes
- Skin damage, for example, trauma, maceration,
pressure injury - Size, location and duration of wounds
- Signs and symptoms of skin infections
- Oedema, for example, pitting oedema or non-pitting,
leakage - Appearance and quality of scarring, for example,
hypertrophic or keloid scarring
What is jaundice?
a medical condition with yellowing of the skin
or whites of the eyes, arising from excess of
the pigment bilirubin and typically caused by
obstruction of the bile duct, by liver disease, or
by excessive breakdown of red blood cells
What is lipodermatosclerosis?
a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by
subcutaneous fibrosis and hardening of the skin on
the lower legs. Can be associated with Chronic
venous Insufficiency. Good skin care, limb elevation
and compression as well as lifestyle modifications can
prevent occurrence
What is pitting oedema?
Pitting oedema is a general problem caused by a variety
of issues such as:
*heart valve problems
*low protein levels
*deep venous thrombosis (DVT) — blood clots, usually in
the legs
*severe lung disease
*congestive heart failure
*venous insufficiency
*liver disease
*kidney failure
*obesity
*pregnancy
*administration of intravenous fluids
*medications
*hot weather
