Skin, Hair, and Nails

Question 1

Melanin

Answer 1

Brownish pigment, genetically determined, increases in sunlight

Question 2

Carotene

Answer 2

Golden yellow, found in subcutaneous layer, palms, & soles

Question 3

Oxyhemoglobin

Answer 3

Bring red pigment, oxygenated rich blood found in arteries and capillaries

Question 4

Deoxyhemoglobin

Answer 4

Bluish pigment, hemoglobin without oxygen

Question 5

Sebaceous glands

Answer 5

Secrete sebum through hair follicle, stimulated by sex hormones, present on all skin except on palms and soles

Question 6

Eccrine sweat glands

Answer 6

Regulate body temperature through sweat

Question 7

Apocrine sweat glands

Answer 7

Open into hair follicles, become active during puberty, produce body odor

Question 8

Vellus hair

Answer 8

short, fine, non-pigmented hair

Question 9

Terminal hair

Answer 9

variable length, thick, usually pigmented

Question 10

Nails

Answer 10

hard plates of keratin, protect vascular bed

Question 11

Fitzpatrick’s skin types (1-6)

Answer 11

1: highly sun sensitive (always burns), very fair
2: very sun sensitive (burns easily), fair
3: somewhat sun sensitive (sometimes burns), olive
4: minimally sun sensitive (burns minimally), darker olive
5: sun insensitive (rarely burns), brown
6: sun insensitive (never burns), dark brown to black

Question 12

Nevus (nevi)

Answer 12

mole

Question 13

When do we worry about a nevi?

Answer 13

asymmetrical, unclear borders, multi or dark colored, large, changing, rising, moveable

Question 14

Turgor

Answer 14

speed at which skin returns to place after being lifted

Question 15

Hirsutism

Answer 15

excessive hair (secondary to androgenic activity)

Question 16

Nail clubbing

Answer 16

nails become overly rounded and feel spongy (secondary to pulmonary issues)

Question 17

Signs of nail infection

Answer 17

swelling, redness, white flakes, etc near nail or nail bed

Question 18

Nail lesions (examples)

Answer 18

Pitting, hemorrhages, lines

Question 19

Capillary refill

Answer 19

blanch nail with pressure and observe time for color to return (normal: < 2 seconds)

Question 20

Hypothyroidism (presentation)

Answer 20

pale, dry, rough, cool skin; course, brittle hair; alopecia; thin, brittle nails, myxedema

Question 21

Hyperthyroidism (presentation)

Answer 21

moist, warm, soft, velvety skin; thin, fine, smooth hair; edema

Question 22

Primary skin lesions

Answer 22

initial, spontaneous presentation of skin abnormalities

Question 23

Secondary skin lesions

Answer 23

later evolution or result of external trauma to the primary lesion

Question 24

Macule

Answer 24

non-palpable, flat; < 1.0 cm; ex: solar lentigines, pityriasis versicolor

Question 25

Patch

Answer 25

non-palpable, flat; 1.0 cm or greater; ex: cafe-au-lait, vitiligo

Question 26

Papule

Answer 26

palpable, elevated; < 1.0 cm; ex: elevated nevus, wart

Question 27

Plaque

Answer 27

palpable, elevated; 1.0 cm or greater; ex: psoriasis

Question 28

Nodule

Answer 28

palpable, elevated; protrudes at least 0.5 cm deep; ex: erythema nodsum

Question 29

Wheal

Answer 29

superficial cutaneous edema; ex: hives, insect bite

Question 30

Vesicle

Answer 30

elevated, palpable, fluid filled cavity; < 1.0 cm; ex: herpes simplex, blisters

Question 31

Bulla

Answer 31

elevated, palpable, fluid filled cavity; 1.0 cm or greater; 2nd degree burns, blisters

Question 32

Pustule

Answer 32

elevated, palpable, pus filled cavity; ex: acne

Question 33

Comedones

Answer 33

keratin plugged opening of sebaceous gland

Question 34

Burro

Answer 34

Raised linear or serpentine tunnel

Question 35

Cyst

Answer 35

Palpable, filled with semiliquid material or fluid

Question 36

Abscess

Answer 36

Accumulation of purulent material, into the dermis and subcutaneous layer

Question 37

Erosion

Answer 37

loss of superficial epidermis (no bleeding); ex: rupture of a vesicle

Question 38

Ulcer

Answer 38

loss of epidermis & dermis (may bleed); ex: stasis ulcer, chancre

Question 39

Fissure

Answer 39

linear crack from epidermis to dermis, dry or moist; ex: athlete's foot, cheilitis

Question 40

Excoriation

Answer 40

superficial linear traumatized area; ex: abrasion, scratch

Question 41

Atrophy

Answer 41

skin thinning; ex: striae