CME Anatomy & Physiology Related to Electrology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The dermal papilla of the hair follicle is BEST described as:
- A cluster of melanocytes at the follicle base
- A vascularized connective tissue structure that nourishes the hair matrix (Correct answer)
- The outermost sheath of the follicle
- A sebaceous gland extension
Correct answer: A vascularized connective tissue structure that nourishes the hair matrix
The dermal papilla is a vascularized connective tissue projection at the base of the follicle that delivers nutrients to the hair matrix cells.
Question 2: Which skin phototype according to the Fitzpatrick scale is associated with the HIGHEST risk of post-treatment hyperpigmentation in electrolysis?
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
- Types V–VI (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Types V–VI
Darker skin types (Fitzpatrick V–VI) have more reactive melanocytes, making them more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation after electrolysis.
Question 3: The external root sheath of the hair follicle is a downward continuation of which skin layer?
- Dermis
- Hypodermis
- Epidermis (Correct answer)
- Stratum basale only
Correct answer: Epidermis
The external root sheath is a direct downward extension of the epidermis that lines the outer wall of the hair follicle.
Question 4: Eccrine sweat glands are found in all of the following locations EXCEPT:
- Palms
- Soles
- Axillae
- Lips (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Lips
Eccrine glands are absent on the lips (and nail beds), whereas they are densely distributed on palms, soles, and axillae.
Question 5: During the catagen phase, the hair follicle:
- Actively produces new hair cells
- Undergoes regression and shrinks (Correct answer)
- Rests with no cellular activity
- Sheds the club hair
Correct answer: Undergoes regression and shrinks
Catagen is a transitional regression phase lasting 2–3 weeks during which the follicle shrinks and cell division ceases.
Question 6: Which layer of the epidermis is MOST mitotically active and contains stem cells?
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum basale (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stratum basale
The stratum basale (basal layer) contains keratinocyte stem cells that continuously divide to replenish the epidermis.
Question 7: Langerhans cells, found in the epidermis, primarily function as:
- Melanin-producing cells
- Antigen-presenting immune cells (Correct answer)
- Sensory mechanoreceptors
- Keratin-synthesizing cells
Correct answer: Antigen-presenting immune cells
Langerhans cells are dendritic immune cells in the epidermis that capture antigens and present them to T lymphocytes.
CME Anatomy & Physiology Related to Electrology 3
The dermal papilla of the hair follicle is BEST described as: