Which skin function involves the regulation of body temperature through sweating and blood vessel dilation?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Thermoregulation involves sweating (eccrine glands) and blood vessel dilation/constriction in the dermis to manage heat loss or retention, maintaining body temperature. Sensation detects stimuli, lubrication uses sebum, and vitamin D synthesis relies on UV, not temperature control. This dual mechanism of sweat evaporation and vascular adjustment defines thermoregulation, making it the correct function.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Escharotomy refers to a surgical procedure where a longitudinal incision is made through eschar, which is the thick, leathery dead tissue formed after a severe burn, down to the subcutaneous tissue to relieve pressure and restore blood flow. This is commonly performed in cases of full-thickness burns that cause constriction. Dehiscence, on the other hand, is the unintended splitting open of a wound, often post-surgery, and does not involve an intentional incision. Transection means cutting across something, not specifically through eschar or to subcutaneous levels in this context. Escharotic's procedure is not a recognized medical term; it seems to be a distractor or a misspelling. Therefore, escharotomy is the precise term for this procedure, making it the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Hypovolemia refers to a decrease in blood volume, often due to the loss of circulatory fluids (like plasma) into interstitial spaces, as seen in conditions like burns or shock, where fluid shifts out of the vascular system. Necrosis is tissue death, not fluid loss. Eschar is dead, leathery tissue from burns, unrelated to fluid dynamics in this context. Maceration is skin softening from moisture, not circulatory fluid loss. Hypovolemia directly relates to the loss of fluid from circulation into interstitial areas, causing reduced blood volume, making it the correct term.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Seborrhea, or seborrheic dermatitis, is a condition marked by overactive sebaceous glands, leading to oily skin and flaky scales, often linked to dandruff on the scalp. Keloids are raised scars, not gland-related. Eczema involves dry, itchy skin without specific sebaceous hyperactivity. Urticaria is hives, an allergic reaction. Seborrhea's association with excessive sebum production and its common presentation as dandruff make it the correct match for the described condition.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The skin's ability to restrict fluid loss is a vital protective function, primarily achieved through its outermost layer, the stratum corneum, which is rich in keratin. Keratin is a tough, fibrous protein that forms a waterproof barrier, preventing water from escaping the body and protecting against environmental damage. The stratum germinativum, the deepest epidermal layer, is responsible for cell production, not water retention. Carotene, a pigment, contributes to skin color but has no role in fluid regulation. Melanocytes produce melanin for UV protection, not water barrier functions. The dermis, while supportive, relies on the epidermis specifically keratin for this role. In conditions like burns, where keratin is compromised, fluid loss increases dramatically, underscoring its importance. Evolutionary adaptations, such as thicker keratin layers in terrestrial animals, further highlight its role in preventing desiccation. Thus, keratin stands out as the key structural component limiting fluid loss through the integument, distinguishing it from the other options' unrelated functions.