Skin Fun Facts
True or False: the hypodermis is not actually a part of the skin.
True, it only attaches the dermis to the underlying organs.
What are hair and nails made of?
Hard keratin.
What do all sebaceous glands produce?
Sebum (oil)
What is one function of the epidermis?
protection (from water, air, infection, chemicals, UV radiation), sensations (pressure, temperature, pain), temperature regulation (sweat & blood flow), excretion of waste, and production of vitamin D
What type of tissue makes up the dermis?
Dense irregular connective tissue forms the dermis. There are 2 layers of the dermis, the papillary layer is made up of loose connective, and the reticular layer is made of bundles of collagen fibers.
The average adult has how many square feet of skin on their body? (must answer within 5 feet of correct answer).
21 square feet of skin.
The hair follicle is located in what layer of skin?
The dermis
Name the two types of sudoriferous glands and where are they located.
Eccrine (merocrine glands found in everywhere but most often in palms, soles of feet, and forehead), and Apocrine (found in armpits and genital area)
What type of tissue makes up the epidermis? (be specific!)
Stratified squamous epithelial tissue.
The hypodermis, or subcutaneous layer, is composed of what type of tissue?
The hypodermis is made of adipose connective tissue that connects skin to muscle or bone.
Where is the thinnest area of skin on the body? Hint: it is superior to your thoracic region.
On your eyelids.
Where do hair cells divide (and form)?
The hair bulb within the hair folllicle.
What type of glands are sebaceous glands (merocrine or holocrine)?
Holocrine glands (whole burst cells)
Where are melanocytes found?
Melanocytes (epithelial cells that product melanin) are found in the bottom 2 layers of epidermis.
What is the dermal layer deep to the epidermis called? (hint: most superficial part of the dermis)
This wavy layer is called the dermal papillae. This irregular surface is also the cause of your fingerprints.
How many pounds of dead skin cells does your body shed every year? (must answer within 3 pounds of the correct answer)
9 pounds.
What muscles attach to the hair shaft to make a hair shaft "stand on end?"
Arrector pili muscles
What do eccrine sweat glands look like and empty to?
Eccrine sweat glands are long tubes that open into pores on the surface of the skin.
What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?
Stratum corneum (layer of dead cells to protect deeper layers), stratum lucidum (thin layer of translucent cells only in palms and feet), stratum granulosum (flat cells where keratin accumulates for water-proofing), stratum spinosum (thick irregular layer of cells that contain pre-keratin filaments), stratum basale (constantly dividing and pushing cells into the next layer).
Why are lines of cleavage important for surgeons?
The arrangement of collagen fibers cause lines of cleavage or tension. If cuts are made parallel along these lines, they will heal more quickly and have fewer scars.
How many days does it take for your skin to fully renew itself? (must answer within 3 days of correct answer).
28 days.
The "little moon," or whiter semi-circle near the proximal nail fold is called the
Lunula
Sweat is 99% water, with trace amounts of salt, vitamins, wastes, and an antimicrobial peptide called what?
Dermcidin.
What are the three types of skin cancer?
Melanoma (uncontrolled division of melanocytes), Basal cell carcinoma (uncontrolled division in stratum basale layer), and squamous cell carcinoma (uncontrolled division in stratum spinosum layer)
Fill in the blank: when blood supply to the skin is restricted for a prolonged time, _______________, or bed sores, can form.
Decubitis ulcers (bedsores).