Skin Disorder-Acne Vulgaris

Abstract

This paper is about the normal anatomy and physiology of skin. The pathophysiological changes of skin in acne vulgaris that is a skin disorder. The causes, signs and symptoms and the available treatment options are also discussed in it by reviewing different literatures related to normal anatomy of skin and about its disorders.

Skin Disorder-Acne Vulgaris

Introduction

Skin is considered as the largest organ of human body, it covers almost fifteen percent of total body weight. There are various functions of skin that includes protecting body from external physical, biologic and chemical assailants. It also prevents excess loss of water from human body, as our body is made up of 70% water. Skin also has a role in thermoregulation that is it helps in the regulation of temperature throughout the body.

Normal Anatomy and Physiology of Skin

Skin is accompanied with the mucous membranes lining the surface of the body. The integumentary system is composed of skin and its derivative structures.

Skin is formed of three layers (Kanitakis, 2002)

Epidermis

Dermis

Panniculus or Subcutaneous tissue

The outermost layer is known as epidermis. It consists of keratinocytes (specific constellation of cells). The function of keratinocytes is to synthesize long, threadlike protein having a protective role, known as keratin. Dermis is composed of collagen that is a fibrillar structural protein. Panniculus contains small lobes of lipocytes (fat cells). Dermis lies on this subcutaneous tissue or panniculus.

Thickness of Skin Layers

Depending on the geographic location on the anatomy of the body, the thickness of the layers of skin varies noticeably. For example eyelid is less than 0.1 mm, and has the thinnest layer of epidermis throughout the body. Whereas palms and soles of the feet measures approximately 1.5 mm, that is the thickest layer of epidermis present in human body. Dermis is found to be thickest at the back, where it measures approx 30 to 40 times as thick as the overlying epidermis (James, Berger, & Elston, 2006).

Pathology of Skin in Acne Vulgaris

Acne also known as Acne Vulgaris is a skin disorder. In general terms it initiates when dead skin cells and oil clog up the pores. Some people call it pimples, blemishes, whiteheads, black heads, or zits. According to the general point of view, acne means many pimples that cover the face, chest, neck and back. It may modify to solid, bigger, cysts (that are painful) (James et al 2006).

In medical terms, Acne vulgaris also known as cystic acne or simply acne, ...