CDT Skin Anatomy & Physiology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which layer of the epidermis contains the stem cells responsible for continuous skin renewal?
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum basale (Correct answer)
- Stratum spinosum
Correct answer: Stratum basale
The stratum basale (basal layer) contains mitotically active stem cells that continuously divide to replenish the epidermis.
Question 2: Meissner's corpuscles are sensory receptors primarily located in which skin region?
- Hypodermis
- Dermal papillae of hairless skin (Correct answer)
- Sebaceous glands
- Stratum corneum
Correct answer: Dermal papillae of hairless skin
Meissner's corpuscles are encapsulated mechanoreceptors found in the dermal papillae of glabrous (hairless) skin, detecting light touch.
Question 3: What type of collagen predominates in the reticular dermis and provides tensile strength to the skin?
- Type IV collagen
- Type VII collagen
- Type I collagen (Correct answer)
- Type III collagen
Correct answer: Type I collagen
Type I collagen is the most abundant collagen in the reticular dermis and is responsible for the skin's tensile strength.
Question 4: Which skin appendage is responsible for producing the oily substance that lubricates hair and skin?
- Eccrine gland
- Apocrine gland
- Sebaceous gland (Correct answer)
- Merkel cell
Correct answer: Sebaceous gland
Sebaceous glands produce sebum, an oily secretion that lubricates hair shafts and the skin surface.
Question 5: The Langerhans cells found in the epidermis function primarily as:
- Melanin producers
- Antigen-presenting immune cells (Correct answer)
- Keratin synthesizers
- Tactile receptors
Correct answer: Antigen-presenting immune cells
Langerhans cells are dendritic antigen-presenting cells that play a key role in the skin's immune surveillance.
Question 6: Which process describes the movement of keratinocytes from the stratum basale to the skin surface?
- Mitosis
- Keratinization (Correct answer)
- Melanogenesis
- Cornification
Correct answer: Keratinization
Keratinization is the differentiation process by which keratinocytes migrate upward through epidermal layers, accumulating keratin as they travel.
Question 7: Arrector pili muscles attach to hair follicles and are responsible for:
- Sebum secretion
- Hair growth rate
- Producing goosebumps (Correct answer)
- Melanin transfer
Correct answer: Producing goosebumps
Contraction of arrector pili smooth muscles causes hair to stand erect, producing goosebumps (cutis anserina) in response to cold or fear.
CDT Skin Anatomy & Physiology 2
Which layer of the epidermis contains the stem cells responsible for continuous skin renewal?