EC Skin Anatomy and Physiology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the three main layers of the skin listed from outermost to innermost?
- Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis (Correct answer)
- Dermis, epidermis, hypodermis
- Hypodermis, dermis, epidermis
- Epidermis, hypodermis, dermis
Correct answer: Epidermis, dermis, hypodermis
The skin consists of three layers: the epidermis (outermost), the dermis (middle), and the hypodermis or subcutaneous layer (innermost).
Question 2: The deepest, most active layer of the epidermis responsible for cell renewal is called the:
- Stratum corneum
- Stratum granulosum
- Stratum spinosum
- Stratum basale (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stratum basale
The stratum basale (basal layer) is the deepest epidermal layer containing stem cells that continuously divide to replenish the epidermis.
Question 3: Which cells in the epidermis are responsible for producing the pigment melanin?
- Keratinocytes
- Melanocytes (Correct answer)
- Langerhans cells
- Merkel cells
Correct answer: Melanocytes
Melanocytes are specialized cells located in the stratum basale that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair color.
Question 4: In which skin layer are the hair follicle bulbs primarily located?
- Epidermis
- Stratum corneum
- Dermis (Correct answer)
- Stratum spinosum
Correct answer: Dermis
Hair follicle bulbs are located in the dermis (and may extend into the hypodermis for terminal hairs), making the dermis the target layer for electrolysis.
Question 5: What is the outermost sublayer of the epidermis composed of?
- Living keratinocytes actively dividing
- Dead, flattened, keratinized cells (Correct answer)
- Melanocyte-rich pigmented cells
- Granular cells releasing lipids
Correct answer: Dead, flattened, keratinized cells
The stratum corneum consists of dead, flattened, fully keratinized cells (corneocytes) that form the skin's primary barrier against the environment.
Question 6: The dermis is primarily composed of which structural protein that gives skin its strength and flexibility?
- Elastin only
- Keratin
- Collagen and elastin (Correct answer)
- Fibronectin
Correct answer: Collagen and elastin
The dermis is primarily composed of collagen (providing tensile strength) and elastin (providing elasticity), both produced by fibroblasts.
Question 7: Which skin appendage is directly targeted and destroyed during electrolysis treatment?
- Sweat gland
- Sebaceous gland
- Hair follicle (Correct answer)
- Arrector pili muscle
Correct answer: Hair follicle
Electrolysis targets the hair follicle — specifically the dermal papilla and germinal matrix — to permanently destroy the structure that produces hair.
EC Skin Anatomy and Physiology 1
What are the three main layers of the skin listed from outermost to innermost?