Skin pathology

Question 1

What part of the skin is the epidermis?

Answer 1

The thin outer portion of the skin, important for the protective function of the skin

Question 2

What part of the skin is the dermis?

Answer 2

The thicker inner portion, the connective tissue layer- important for sensation, protection and thermoregulation

Question 3

What part of the skin is the hypodermis?

Answer 3

Part of the skin underneath the dermis and merged with it

Question 4

What kind of tissue do you find in the hypodermis?

Answer 4

Mainly adipose tissue and sweat glands

Question 5

What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?

Answer 5

• Stratum basale
• Stratum spinosum
• Startum granulosum
• Startum lucidum
• Stratum corneum

Question 6

What are the 3 ways cells can adhere to each other in the skin?

Answer 6

• Using hemidesmosones
• Using desmosones
• The basement membrane mediates attachment of the epidermis to the underlying dermis

Question 7

What is a pilosebaceous unit?

Answer 7

Collective name for the hair follicle, hair shaft and sebaceous gland

Question 8

What is the name for increased thickness of the stratum spinosum?

Answer 8

Acanthosis

Question 9

What is lichenification?

Answer 9

Rough thickened epiderms with acentuation of skin creases caused by marked acanthosis

Question 10

What can cause Lichenification?

Answer 10

Persistent rubbing, scratching or irritation (chronic dermatitis)

Question 11

What is hyperkeratosis?

Answer 11

Increased thickness of the stratum corneum, due to an abnormal amount of keratin- this is usually associated with epidermal hyperplasia

Question 12

What is orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis?

Answer 12

When the preserved keratinocytes mature

Question 13

What is parakeratotic hyperkeratosis?

Answer 13

Nuclei are retained as a sign of delayed keratinocyte maturation

Question 13

What is the definition of a callus?

Answer 13

• thick, firm hyperkeratotic hairless plaque with increased skin folds

Question 13

What is the cause of a callus?

Answer 13

trauma over a bony prominence such as an elbow, sternum or side of a digit

Question 14

What is the similarity and difference between a vesicle and bullae

Answer 14

• they are both ‘blisters’, localised collections of fluid within or beneath the epidermis, elevated fluid-filled lesions differented by size
• Vesicles are less than one cm in diameter, Bulla are more than 1cm in diameter

Question 15

What causes vesicles/ bullae?

Answer 15

Burns, Viral infections, immune-mediated diseases

Question 16

What is the definition of a pustule?

Answer 16

• Elevated, pus-filled vesicle usually caused by bacterial infections

Question 17

What is the definition of an erosion?

Answer 17

Partial-thickness loss of epidermis that results in a shallow, moist depression
the basement membrane remains intact

Question 18

What causes an erosion?

Answer 18

it is secondary to a vesicle or pustule rupture/ surface trauma

Question 19

What is the definition of a dried exudate?

Answer 19

fluid, blood, pustular debris or scales left behind on the skin surface

Question 20

What causes crust?

Answer 20

Often the end result of loss of integrity of the epidermis

Question 21

What is the definition of an ulcer?

Answer 21

Full-thickness loss of epidermis and the basement membrane

Question 22

What is the defnition of a scar?

Answer 22

thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury or laceration to the dermis