Skin Biology 9. Analysis of Symptoms, Distinguishing Features and Assignment
Skin Analysis – Skin Manifestations, Distinguishing Features and Germ Layer Affiliation
The following distinguishing features are possible in skin analysis:
1. Discoloration
•
white
•
brown/black
2. Tissue increase / decrease
•
Cell proliferation / growth
•
Cell breakdown
3. Water retention
•
Vesicles
•
Pustules
4. Surface change
•
oily
•
dry
Each of these manifestations can be clearly assigned to one of the germ layers, and this immediately makes clear in which phase (acute / repair phase) the tissue is located.
•
Macula (spot) – Ectoderm
Localized color change located at the level of the skin
•
Papule (nodule <5mm) – Ectoderm, Nodus (node >5mm) – Old Mesoderm
Thickening raised above skin level
•
Vesicula (vesicle up to pea size), Bulla (blister over pea size) – Ectoderm
Fluid-filled cavity
•
Pustule – Old Mesoderm
Pus-filled blister
•
Wheal – New Mesoderm
Transient, raised, edematous elevation above skin level
•
Scales – Ectoderm
Detachments of horn cells
•
Crust – Old Mesoderm
Dried secretions
Skin Analysis – Skin Manifestations, Distinguishing Features and Germ Layer Affiliation
The following distinguishing features are possible in skin analysis:
1. Discoloration
•
white
•
brown/black
2. Tissue proliferation / reduction
•
Cell proliferation / growth
•
Cell breakdown
3. Water retention
•
Vesicles
•
Pustules
4. Surface change
•
greasy
•
dry
Each of these phenomena can be clearly assigned to one of the germ layers, and thus it immediately becomes clear in which phase (acute / repair phase) the tissue is located.
•
Macula (spot) – Ectoderm
Circumscribed color change located at the level of the skin
•
Papule (nodule <5mm) – Ectoderm, Nodus (node >5mm) – Old mesoderm
Thickening raised above the skin level
•
Vesicle (blister up to pea size), Bulla (blister larger than pea size) – Ectoderm
Fluid-filled cavity
•
Pustule – Old mesoderm
Pus-filled blister
•
Wheal – New mesoderm
Transient, raised above skin level, edematous elevation
•
Scales – Ectoderm
Detachments of horn cells
•
Crust – Old mesoderm
Dried secretions