Skin

Cards (78)

  • The skin provides protection from damage and entry of bacteria
  • Regulates temperature and acts as an excretory and sensory organ
  • Physical protection from damage is mainly provided by the epidermis
  • Thickness of the subcutaneous tissue plays a role in protecting against injury
  • The skin acts as a barrier against microorganisms, chemicals, and ultraviolet rays
  • Acts as a waterproof coat, preventing rapid absorption or evaporation of water and electrolytes
  • Through perspiration, the body loses 500 ml of water a day
  • Regulation of temperature is important, achieved through sweat excretion and cooling by evaporation
  • Sweat consists of 95% water, 2% dissolved salts, a small amount of urea, and about 3% carbon dioxide
  • Sweat helps eliminate excessive fluid and salts, maintaining the body's mineral balance
  • The skin is a sensory organ with nerve endings sensitive to touch, pain, pressure, heat, cold, and itching
  • Special functions of the skin include secretion of ear wax and sebum by sebaceous glands
  • The skin is exposed to various injuries and infections, including bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections
  • Skin cancer, like melanoma, can be triggered by excessive sun exposure
  • Skin allergies and irritations by harmful chemicals can cause dermatitis or eczema
  • Acne is a condition of overactivity of sebaceous glands, common in adolescence
  • Psoriasis is a chronic skin disorder causing overproduction of epithelial cells
  • Skin lesions are classified as primary (acne, rash, eczema, furuncle, erythema, dermatomycosis) or secondary (crusts, fissures, excoriations, ulcers)
  • The skin is composed of two main layers:
    • Epidermis (thin outer layer)
    • Dermis (thicker inner layer)
  • Epidermis:
    • Protective layer without blood vessels and nerves
    • Built up of flat cells of the epithelium
    • Cells reproduce rapidly in the deepest layer and move up to the surface to form a protective layer of dead cells
    • Dead cells are continually lost and replaced by new ones (keratinization process)
    • Contains pigment melanin, which gives the skin color
    • Hereditary factors determine skin color
    • Sunlight increases melanin concentration, protecting the skin from harmful ultraviolet sun rays
  • In certain parts of the body, the epidermis is modified to produce hair and nails
    • Hair grows on all body surfaces except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
  • Fungal infection of skin
    dermatomycosis
  • Located under the skin
    Subcutaneous layer
  • A region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage such asa wound, ulcer, abscess, tumour
    Skin lesion
  • The process of turning liquid into vapour
    Evaporation
  • more then is necessary, normal or desirable
    excessive
  • a small, often slightly raised blemish on the skin made by dark concentration of melanin
    dark mole
  • a contagious skin disease marked by itching and small raised red spots, caused by the itch mite

    scabies
  • A medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed wity blisters which cause itching and bleeding
    Eczema
  • an inflamed pus-filled swelling on the skin, caused typically by the infection of a hair follicle
    furuncle
  • superficial reddening of the skin, usually in patches, as a result of injury or irritation causing dilatation of the
    blood capillaries
    erythema
  • an open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane which fails to heal
    ulcer
  • damage or removal of part of the skin surface
    excoriations
  • The integumentary system consists of the skin and its associated structures
  • The integumentary system protects against infection, dehydration, ultraviolet radiation, and injury
  • Extensive damage to the skin, such as burns, can lead to dangerous complications
  • The skin serves in temperature regulation and sensory perception
  • The adjective cutaneous refers to the skin
  • The epidermis is the outermost portion of the skin, consisting of 4 to 5 layers of epithelial cells
  • The deepest layer of the epidermis, the stratum basale, produces new cells