Integumentary System Review

Flashcards created for review of the integumentary system.

What is the primary function of the skin?

To protect the body.

What type of cells are keratinocytes?

Skin cells.

What is the role of melanocytes?

To produce pigment (melanin) for the skin.

What are Langerhans cells responsible for?

Carrying antigens from the skin surface to lymphocytes.

What layer of the skin is primarily composed of fat cells?

Subcutaneous layer.

What are the components of the dermis?

Connective tissue elements, hair follicles, sweat glands, blood vessels, nerves, lymphatic vessels.

What are the stages of pressure ulcers?

Stage 1: non-blanchable erythema; Stage 2: partial-thickness skin loss; Stage 3: full-thickness skin loss; Stage 4: full-thickness skin loss with damage to muscle or bone.

What characterizes acute pruritus?

Itching that can be localized or generalized.

What is seborrheic dermatitis?

Chronic skin inflammation involving areas like the scalp and eyebrows.

How does psoriasis differ from pityriasis rosea?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by thick, scaly lesions; pityriasis rosea is self-limiting and often has a herald patch.

What is the ABCDE rule related to skin cancer?

A: Asymmetry, B: Border irregularity, C: Color variation, D: Diameter larger than 6 mm, E: Elevation or rapid enlargement.

What type of infection is impetigo?

A superficial lesion caused by coagulase-positive staph or alpha-hemolytic strep.

What does urticaria (hives) involve?

A type I hypersensitivity reaction causing raised erythematous wheals.

What is the pathophysiology of scleroderma?

Fibrosis of the skin due to T helper cells and their cytokines.

What infectious disease is associated with Lyme disease?

A multisystem infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi.

What is the most common type of skin cancer?

Basal cell carcinoma.