Skin, Hair, Nails, Head and Neck Lecture Review

Flashcards covering key anatomical structures, physiological functions, assessment techniques, and common conditions related to the skin, hair, nails, head, and neck. These flashcards specifically focus on vocabulary terms and their definitions as discussed in the lecture.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, serving as the first line of defense against pathogens, chemical irritants, and moisture loss.

Keratinocytes

Cells that make up part of the epidermis.

Melanocytes

Cells in the epidermis responsible for skin pigmentation.

Langerhans cell

Specialized cells in the epidermis involved in the immune response.

Merkel cell

Specialized cells in the epidermis that detect touch, vibration, and temperature.

Dermis

The layer of skin that supports the epidermis, containing blood vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands, lymphatic vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands.

Subcutaneous layer

The innermost layer of the skin, composed mainly of fat and loose connective tissue, providing insulation, caloric reserves, cushioning against external forces, and skin mobility.

Vellus hair

One of two types of hair found on the body.

Terminal hair

The other type of hair, distinct from vellus hair.

Sebum

An oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands that maintains moisture and conditioning of hair and skin; its production declines with age.

Eccrine gland

A type of sweat gland that produces a clear, saline solution (sweat) to maintain body temperature.

Apocrine gland

A type of sweat gland that secretes a thicker, milky sweat, primarily responsible for body odor.

Acne

Inflammation of the sebaceous glands, commonly occurring during adolescence.

Skin changes in older adults

Include loss of subcutaneous fat, elastin, and collagen, leading to thinner skin, decreased resilience, sagging, wrinkling, decreased skin turgor, increased risk of skin breakdown, slowed tissue replacement, and more apparent sun damage.

Skin turgor assessment sites (elderly)

Best tested on the inner aspects of the thigh, subclavicular space, or over the sternum.

ABCD-E (for suspicious lesions)

A mnemonic for assessing skin lesions: Asymmetry, Border irregularities, Color, Diameter (larger than 6mm), and Evolution (changes over time).

Vitiligo

Patches of skin with an absence of pigmentation (no melanin), occurring in blotches.

Erythema

Redness of the skin.

Cyanosis

A bluish discoloration of the skin indicating a lack of oxygen.

Pallor

Unnatural paleness of the skin.

Jaundice

A yellowish discoloration of the skin and whites of the eyes, often due to liver problems.

Brawny

A dark, leathery appearance of the skin, often associated with chronic ischemia.

Uremic frost

A whitish, crystalline coating noted on the skin due to severe kidney failure.

Partial thickness wound

A wound that involves only the epidermis.

Full thickness wound

A wound that involves the dermis and subcutaneous tissue.

Healthy healing tissue

Appears pink to red in a wound.

Necrotic tissue (Eschar)

Dead tissue in a wound that typically appears yellow, white, brown, or black.

Braden Scale

A tool used to assess a patient's risk for developing pressure injuries.

Magnifying glass (skin assessment)

Used to enlarge abnormalities like cuts, spots, lesions, or to observe seeping fluids or drainage.

Woods light

An assessment tool used to detect fungal skin infections, which may appear as a fluorescing green under the light.

Raynaud's phenomenon

A condition where fingers and toes respond to cold by presenting a distinctive red, white, and blue discoloration.

Squamous cell carcinoma

The second most frequently found skin cancer, often related to actinic keratosis and sun exposure.

Ecchymosis

A bruise or discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath.

Petechiae

Small, pinpoint hemorrhagic spots on the skin.

Pressure injuries

Skin damage classified into stages, requiring knowledge of what differentiates each stage.

Largest facial bones

Maxilla, mandible, nasal, lacrimal, and vomer.

Mastoid process

A bony prominence located behind the ear, part of the temporal bone, with particular relevance during ear assessment.

Major facial muscles

Include the frontalis, temporalis, masseter, and buccinator, which enable chewing, speaking, smiling, and frowning.

Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve)

Assessed by observing a patient's ability to smile, puff out cheeks, raise eyebrows, and squint eyes tightly; an intact nerve is crucial for facial expressions, while damage can indicate Bell's Palsy or stroke.

Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve) - Sensory

Assessed by having the patient close their eyes and identify sharp or dull sensations in six areas of the face.

Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve) - Motor

Assessed by palpating the temporal and masseter muscles while the patient opens and closes their mouth, feeling for muscle contraction and any crepitus.

Parotid gland

One of three major salivary glands, located in the cheek, anterior to the bottom half of the ear.

Submandibular gland

One of three major salivary glands, located at the angle of the jaw.

Sublingual gland

One of three major salivary glands, located under the tongue.

Optic nerve pathway

Consists of the optic nerves, optic chiasma, and optic tract, extending to the optic region of the cerebral cortex, and is part of the central nervous system.

Brain stem (hearing)

Detected as the origination point of sound and helps distinguish the sound's source.

Vertebral prominence

The spinous process of C7 (the longest cervical vertebra), which is the most easily palpable landmark on the neck.

C-spine immobilization

Stabilizing the neck to prevent further damage in cases of suspected cervical spine injury, such as after a car wreck.

Major neck muscles

The sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles.

Accessory muscles of respiration

The sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles, used when an individual experiences difficulty breathing.

Thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple)

A prominent cartilage structure in the neck, more noticeable in males, consisting of two flat structures joined at an angle.

Thyroid gland

A gland that produces thyroid hormones (T3 and T4).

Parathyroid gland

A gland that secretes calcitonin and is typically not palpable.

Thyroid assessment (posterior approach)

A method of palpating the thyroid gland by standing behind the patient, having them lower their head, and turn it left and right to feel for nodules.

Thyroid assessment (anterior approach)

A method of palpating the thyroid gland by standing in front of the patient, having them lower their head, and turn it left and right to feel for nodules.