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Week 8-Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Advanced Pathophysiology (Chamberlain University)
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8/11/2026, 1:11:03 PM Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
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Week 8: Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious autoimmune disease that causes
skin inflammation. It may also lead to other autoimmune conditions
like psoriatic arthritis. The rash may cause itching and silver plaques.
Psoriasis often impacts the individual in terms of being self-conscious
about the rash that affects their quality of life. The diagram below
shows the typical appearance of a psoriasis rash. Although the cause
of psoriasis is unclear, there may be a genetic component that seems
to run in families. There may also be an environmental trigger that
may be related to trauma or a previous infection. Regardless of how
the process is triggered, once it is underway, it does not shut off. The
overall effect is chronic damage to the skin.
Pathophysiology
Normally, the skin is divided into three layers as
shown in the diagram below.
Epidermis: this is the protective top layer of the
skin. It is composed of keratinocytes
Dermis: the dermis contains nerves, sweat glands,
lymph vessels and blood vessels
Hypodermis: is made of fat and connective tissue
that anchors the skin to the underlying muscle.
Layers of the Skin
Let’s examine the epidermal layer in more detail.
As you can see in the diagram below, the
epidermis has multiple skin layers composed of
developing keratinocytes. These cells are named
for the keratin protein with which they are filled.
Keratin is a strong fibrous protein that allows
keratinocytes to protect themselves from being destroyed. Keratinocytes start their development at the lower
layer of the epidermis called the stratum basale (the basal layer noted in the diagram below). It is made of a
small layer of small cuboidal to low columnar stem cells. That continually divide and produce new
keratinocytes. The new keratinocytes migrate upward to form the other layers of the epidermis. As the
keratinocytes begin to mature in the stratum basale, they lose their ability to divide and then move to the next
layer, the stratum spinosum (spinous layer in the diagram below). It is approximately 8-10 cell layers thick.
The stratum spinosum also has dendritic cells which are star-shaped immune cells that are constantly
patrolling for invading microbes as part of the individual’s normal defense system.
The next layer up is called the stratum granulosum (granular layer in the diagram below). It is 3-5 cell layers
thick. Keratinocytes in this layer begin the process of keratinization, which is the process where the
Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
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Downloaded 8 Dermatological
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South AfricaConditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
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8/11/2026, 1:11:03 PM Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
- converted.pdf
Conditions-Edapt - converted.pdf
Week 8-Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Advanced Pathophysiology (Chamberlain University)
Scan to open on Studocu
Studocu is not sponsored or endorsed by any college or university
Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Week by
Downloaded 8 Dermatological
- converted.pdf
madiba South AfricaConditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
- converted.pdf Conditions-Edapt - converted.pdf
stuvia ()
, lOMoARcPSD|44532475
8/11/2026, 1:11:03 PM Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
- converted.pdf Conditions-Edapt - converted.pdf
Week 8: Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious autoimmune disease that causes
skin inflammation. It may also lead to other autoimmune conditions
like psoriatic arthritis. The rash may cause itching and silver plaques.
Psoriasis often impacts the individual in terms of being self-conscious
about the rash that affects their quality of life. The diagram below
shows the typical appearance of a psoriasis rash. Although the cause
of psoriasis is unclear, there may be a genetic component that seems
to run in families. There may also be an environmental trigger that
may be related to trauma or a previous infection. Regardless of how
the process is triggered, once it is underway, it does not shut off. The
overall effect is chronic damage to the skin.
Pathophysiology
Normally, the skin is divided into three layers as
shown in the diagram below.
Epidermis: this is the protective top layer of the
skin. It is composed of keratinocytes
Dermis: the dermis contains nerves, sweat glands,
lymph vessels and blood vessels
Hypodermis: is made of fat and connective tissue
that anchors the skin to the underlying muscle.
Layers of the Skin
Let’s examine the epidermal layer in more detail.
As you can see in the diagram below, the
epidermis has multiple skin layers composed of
developing keratinocytes. These cells are named
for the keratin protein with which they are filled.
Keratin is a strong fibrous protein that allows
keratinocytes to protect themselves from being destroyed. Keratinocytes start their development at the lower
layer of the epidermis called the stratum basale (the basal layer noted in the diagram below). It is made of a
small layer of small cuboidal to low columnar stem cells. That continually divide and produce new
keratinocytes. The new keratinocytes migrate upward to form the other layers of the epidermis. As the
keratinocytes begin to mature in the stratum basale, they lose their ability to divide and then move to the next
layer, the stratum spinosum (spinous layer in the diagram below). It is approximately 8-10 cell layers thick.
The stratum spinosum also has dendritic cells which are star-shaped immune cells that are constantly
patrolling for invading microbes as part of the individual’s normal defense system.
The next layer up is called the stratum granulosum (granular layer in the diagram below). It is 3-5 cell layers
thick. Keratinocytes in this layer begin the process of keratinization, which is the process where the
Week 8 Dermatological Conditions-Edapt
Week by
Downloaded 8 Dermatological
-madiba
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South AfricaConditions-Edapt
Week 8 Dermatological
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