CPCA Dermatology Anatomy and Terminology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The prefix 'leuko-' in dermatology terms such as 'leukoderma' means:
- Red
- Dark/black
- White (Correct answer)
- Scaly
Correct answer: White
Leuko- is derived from the Greek word for white; leukoderma describes areas of skin with decreased or absent pigmentation.
Question 2: A nevus is the medical term most commonly used for which skin structure?
- A scar
- A mole (pigmented melanocytic lesion) (Correct answer)
- A wart
- A cyst
Correct answer: A mole (pigmented melanocytic lesion)
A nevus (plural: nevi) is a benign melanocytic growth, commonly called a mole, composed of clusters of melanocytes.
Question 3: Which type of gland is responsible for body odor through secretion into hair follicles?
- Eccrine glands
- Apocrine glands (Correct answer)
- Sebaceous glands
- Ceruminous glands
Correct answer: Apocrine glands
Apocrine glands secrete a protein-rich fluid into hair follicles; bacterial breakdown of this secretion produces body odor.
Question 4: The term 'pruritus' describes which symptom?
- Pain
- Burning
- Itching (Correct answer)
- Numbness
Correct answer: Itching
Pruritus is the medical term for itching, a common symptom in many dermatological conditions.
Question 5: Keratinocytes make up approximately what percentage of epidermal cells?
- 25%
- 50%
- 80–90% (Correct answer)
- 99%
Correct answer: 80–90%
Keratinocytes constitute approximately 80–90% of all epidermal cells and are responsible for producing keratin protein.
Question 6: The 'dermatome' concept in dermatology refers to:
- A surgical instrument for cutting skin grafts
- An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root (Correct answer)
- The top layer of skin cells
- A unit measuring skin thickness
Correct answer: An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve root
A dermatome is an area of skin innervated by sensory fibers from a single spinal nerve root, relevant in shingles (herpes zoster) distribution.
Question 7: Cyanosis of the skin results from which underlying cause?
- Excess bilirubin deposits
- Reduced oxyhemoglobin / increased deoxyhemoglobin in blood (Correct answer)
- Excess beta-carotene intake
- Melanocyte hyperactivity
Correct answer: Reduced oxyhemoglobin / increased deoxyhemoglobin in blood
Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration of skin caused by elevated levels of deoxygenated hemoglobin (>5 g/dL) in the blood.
CPCA Dermatology Anatomy and Terminology 5
The prefix 'leuko-' in dermatology terms such as 'leukoderma' means: