Anatomy & Physiology Related to Electrology Flashcards

Terminal hair differs from vellus hair primarily in that terminal hair is:

Answer: Pigmented, coarser, and deeper rooted

Terminal hair is thick, pigmented, and deeply rooted, while vellus hair is fine, short, and minimally pigmented.

The papillary layer of the dermis is primarily composed of:

Answer: Loose areolar connective tissue with thin collagen fibers

The papillary dermis consists of loose areolar connective tissue with thin collagen and elastic fibers that interdigitate with the epidermis.

In which anatomical region are hair follicles typically oriented at a more acute (shallow) angle to the skin surface?

Answer: Upper lip

Upper lip follicles are angled very acutely (nearly parallel to the skin), which influences probe insertion technique during electrolysis.

Melanin pigment produced by melanocytes is transferred to keratinocytes via structures called:

Answer: Melanosomes

Melanosomes are organelles that produce melanin and are transferred from melanocyte dendrites to surrounding keratinocytes.

Which hormone is MOST directly responsible for converting vellus hair to terminal hair in androgen-sensitive follicles?

Answer: Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)

DHT, converted from testosterone by 5-alpha reductase, binds to follicle receptors and stimulates vellus-to-terminal hair conversion in androgen-sensitive areas.

The lymphatic capillaries of the skin are MOST concentrated in which layer?

Answer: Dermis

Lymphatic capillaries originate in the dermis and drain interstitial fluid and immune cells away from skin tissue.

Which of the following BEST describes the function of Merkel cells in the skin?

Answer: Act as slow-adapting touch mechanoreceptors

Merkel cells (Merkel discs) are slow-adapting mechanoreceptors in the stratum basale that detect sustained touch and pressure.