The skin Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is the function and importance of vitamin D synthesis of the skin?
Synthesis of Vitamin D - Enables the production of vitamin D, essential for calcium absorption and bone health. A lack of vitamin D synthesis can lead to conditions like rickets and osteoporosis.
What is the importance of the skin as a protection layer?
Protection - The skin acts as a physical barrier that protects the body from external threats such as pathogens, chemicals, and physical injuries.
The outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis, provides a tough protective shield.
What is the importance of temperature regulation of the skin?
Temperature Regulation - The skin helps regulate body temperature through processes such as sweating and vasodilation (expansion of blood vessels) or vasoconstriction (contraction of blood vessels).
Sweating allows the body to cool down by evaporating moisture from the skin’s surface. Essential for enzyme function
What is the function and importance of excretion of the skin?
Excretion - Eliminates waste products from the body, maintaining a balance of salts and other substances.
Prevents the build up of harmful substances that could interfere with cellular function.
What is the function and importance of absorption of the skin?
Absorption - Allows for the absorption of certain medications and nutrients.
Facilitates the delivery of substances into the bloodstream for systemic effects.
How does aging change the skin?
Aging = both the skin & mucous membranes become thin & fragile. The dermis is thinner& subcutaneous tissue is diminished
How does aging impact the capillaries and cell proliferation?
Fewer capillaries & cell proliferation is decreased, resulting in slower wound healing & atrophy of the glands
How does aging impact sensory receptors?
The number of sensory receptors in the skin and mucosa decline = increase susceptibility to injury, bruising occurs frequently, & the mucosal membranes become inflamed.
How does aging impact the appearance of the skin?
The skin is often dry & appears wrinkled as elastic fibres are reduced & collagen fibres become less flexible
What causes greying due to old age?
Melanocytes decrease causing greying of hair & skin
What are the 3 main stages of wound healing?
- Inflammation
- Proliferation
- Maturation
What occurs during inflammation?
Within the first few hours of the wound surfaces become inflamed, a blood clot (mainly fibrin) and cell debris fill the gap between them
During proliferation what do epithelial cells do?
They proliferate across the wound. The epidermis meets & grows upwards until full thickness is restored. The clot now becomes the scab
During proliferation what does the granulation tissue do?
Granulation tissue consisting of new capilary buds, phagocytes, & fibroblasts, develop, invading the clot & restoring blood supply to the wound
What do fibroblasts do during proliferation?
Continue to secrete collagen fibres as the clot & bacteria are removed by phagocytosis. When granulation tissue reaches the level of the dermis, epithelial cells at the edges proliferate and grow towards the centre
What occurs during maturation?
Granulation tissue is replaced by fibrous scar tissue. Rearrangement of collagen fibres occurs & strength of wound increases. During fibrosis scar tissue replaces granulation tissue, until the full thickness of the skin is restored.
How do pressure areas develop?
Occurs when large amound of pressure is applied to an area of skin over time. The extra pressure disrupts the flow of blood through the skin. Less blood supply means less O2 and nutrients which causes the breack down, leading to ulcer forming
