medterm-integumentary

Types of diagnostic procedures:
- Immunoassays: Used to detect and quantify specific proteins or antibodies.
- Immunodiagnostics: Tests that help identify diseases based on immune responses.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): A plate-based assay technique used for detecting and quantifying proteins.
- Agglutination tests: Tests that involve the clumping of cells or particles.
- Complete fixation tests: Tests used to determine the presence of pathogens by fixing them to glass slides.

Types of immunotherapy:
- Monoclonal antibodies: Laboratory-made molecules that can mimic the immune system's ability to fight off pathogens.
- Interferons: Proteins that help boost the immune response and manage infections.
- Application: Helps the body fight diseases, including certain cancers.
- Interleukins: Cytokines that can boost immune responses, particularly in cancer treatment.

Types of diagnostic tests:
- Nasal smears: Sampling nasal mucus for allergen detection.
- Skin tests: Involve applying allergens to the skin to assess reactions.
- Blood tests: Evaluate the presence of antibodies in response to allergens.
- Challenge testing: Direct exposure to allergens to see if a reaction occurs.

Anticoagulants:
- Examples: Aspirin, Heparin, Warfarin
- Function: These substances prevent clotting in the blood.
- Recombinant factor VIII: Treatment for hemophilia, used to prevent bleeding episodes.
- Vitamin B12: Essential for red blood cell production, used in treating pernicious anemia.
Chemotherapy:
- Application: Used in treating leukemias and other types of cancers.

Main types of immunosuppressants:
- Glucocorticoids/Corticosteroids: Reduce immune cell function.
- Cytostatics: Slow down or halt cell growth, often used in cancer treatment.
- Antibodies: Prevent transplant rejection by modulating immune response.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: Help manage autoimmune disorders.

Anticoagulant: Substance that prevents clotting.
Embolism: A plug that obstructs a blood vessel.
Parenteral: Administration of medication other than through the gastrointestinal tract.
Streptokinase: An enzyme that dissolves clots.

Vitamin D synthesis: Skin assists in the metabolism of Vitamin D upon sun exposure.
Sensation: Skin perceives pain, temperature, pressure, and touch.
Excretion and secretion: Waste products are expelled through sweat glands.
Social functions: Skin changes in color or texture due to emotions.

Largest organ: The skin protects and provides a barrier to the body.
Layers of the skin:
- Epidermis: Outer layer composed mainly of dead keratinized cells, contains melanin.
- Dermis: The thicker middle layer contains collagen fibers, blood vessels, nerves, and accessory organs.
- Hypodermis: Subcutaneous layer containing fat tissue and blood vessels.

Layers of the Epidermis include:
- Stratum corneum: Outermost layer of dead keratinocytes.
- Stratum lucidum: Found in thick skin areas (e.g., soles, palms).
- Stratum granulosum: Contains keratinocytes that secrete lipids.
- Stratum spinosum: Where cells begin to flatten and lose moisture.
- Stratum basale: The deepest layer, responsible for generating new cells; includes melanocytes and tactile cells.

Connective tissue: Composed of collagen fibers that provide structure and support.
Contains:
- Blood vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, hair follicles.
Functions: Supports the epidermis and houses accessory glands.

Intradermal:
- Needle introduced into the epidermis, used for allergy testing and TB testing.
Subcutaneous (SC):
- Longer needle that administers medication into the subcutaneous layer; used for insulin or immunizations.
Intramuscular (IM):
- Long needle to inject directly into the muscle.
Transdermal:
- Medications absorbed through skin patches; for hormonal, analgesic, or anti-nausea treatments.

Hair:
- Origin: Grows from epidermal cells at hair follicles.
- Alopecia: Hair loss condition.
Nails:
- Made of keratin; growth occurs from the nail matrix; can develop conditions like onychomycosis (nail fungus).

Disorders:
- Dermatitis: Inflammation of the skin, can be contact or atopic.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: Inflamed, red rash with greasy scales.
- Psoriasis: Chronic inflammatory skin condition leading to red, flaky patches.
- Acne: Caused by blocked sebaceous glands leading to pustules.

Viral infections:
- Caused by viruses like HPV and varicella-zoster (chickenpox).
Fungal infections:
- Tinea (athlete's foot) or Candida (thrush).
Parasitic infestations:
- Conditions like lice and scabies.
Bacterial infections:
- Examples include Staph infections that may lead to cellulitis.

Basal cell carcinoma:
- Most common, arises from the basal layer of the epidermis, rarely metastasizes.
Squamous cell carcinoma:
- Arises from the middle epidermis layer; may metastasize.
Malignant melanoma:
- Originates in melanocytes, highly dangerous with rapid metastasis.

Burns classified by severity:
- First-degree: Involves epidermis; heals in days with redness and pain.
- Second-degree: Involves epidermis and dermis; blisters and heals in weeks.
- Third-degree: Destroys deeper skin layers; requires skin grafting.
- Fourth-degree: Extends to deeper tissues like muscles and bones; extensive treatment.
Healing process:
- Affects the rate of recovery depending on age, health, and location.

Surgical options for cosmetic enhancements such as liposuction, abdominoplasty, rhinoplasty, and more.
Aging effects on skin include thinning, decreased elasticity, less oil production, increased bruising, and slower healing.
Significance of the skin: The skin is the body’s first line of defense against environmental threats, making understanding its anatomy crucial for treatment of disorders and injuries.