The patient is a male, age 17 from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the clinic with a deep, red, swollen abscess on the back-right shoulder. The patient is a student at a local high school where he wrestles for the varsity team. The patients dad is a high school teacher and wrestling coach and his mother is a human resources manager. The family has a history of high blood pressure (paternal) and breast cancer (maternal). The teenager enjoys hanging out with his friends and playing video games. Nine days ago after a match against a rival team, he noticed a red lump on his shoulder. Four of his teammates had similar sores on their arms, chest, and face. The young mans father applied a topical antibiotic ointment to the area and covered it with an adhesive bandage. A few days later, the young mans parents noticed that the bump appeared red and somewhat swollen. Concerned, the boys father again applied antibiotic ointment, applied an adhesive bandage, and held the son out of practice. The next day, the sore still appeared raised and inflamed. After a few days, it began to feel hard and hot to the touch, and the patient often complained of tiredness and headaches. He was febrile upon admission to the clinic. The abscess on his shoulder is roughly 1.5 inches in diameter, with a yellowish center and weeping, crusted tips. Let's learn a little bit more about the skin. Complete the blanks: (1),(2) Skin consists of two principal parts, the epidermis, and the ___________(2) ________________. The ___________(1) ________________ is the thin outer portion, composed of several layers of epithelial cells. The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, consists of many rows of dead cells that contain a waterproofing protein called keratin. The ___________(1) ________________, when unbroken, is an effective physical barrier against microorganisms composed mainly of connective tissue. The ___________(2) ________________ is the inner, relatively thick portion of skin, composed mainly of connective tissue. The hair follicles, sweat gland ducts, and oil gland ducts in the dermis provide passageways through which microorganisms can enter the skin and penetrate deeper tissues. Perspiration provides moisture and some nutrients for microbial growth. However, it contains salt, which inhibits many microorganisms; the enzyme lysozyme, which is capable of breaking down the cell walls of certain bacteria; and antimicrobial peptides. Sebum, secreted by oil glands, is a mixture of lipids (unsaturated fatty acids), proteins, and salts that prevents skin and hair from drying out. Although the fatty acids inhibit the growth of certain pathogens, sebum, like perspiration, is also nutritive for many microorganisms..

1. The patient is a male, age 17 from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was admitted to the clinic with a
deep, red, swollen abscess on the back-right shoulder. The patient is a student at a local high
school where he wrestles for the varsity team. The patients dad is a high school teacher and
wrestling coach and his mother is a human resources manager. The family has a history of high
blood pressure (paternal) and breast cancer (maternal). The teenager enjoys hanging out with his
friends and playing video games. Nine days ago after a match against a rival team, he noticed a
red lump on his shoulder. Four of his teammates had similar sores on their arms, chest, and face.
The young mans father applied a topical antibiotic ointment to the area and covered it with an
adhesive bandage.
A few days later, the young mans parents noticed that the bump appeared red and somewhat
swollen. Concerned, the boys father again applied antibiotic ointment, applied an adhesive
bandage, and held the son out of practice. The next day, the sore still appeared raised and
inflamed. After a few days, it began to feel hard and hot to the touch, and the patient often
complained of tiredness and headaches. He was febrile upon admission to the clinic. The abscess
on his shoulder is roughly 1.5 inches in diameter, with a yellowish center and weeping, crusted
tips.
Let's learn a little bit more about the skin.
Complete the blanks: (1),(2)
Skin consists of two principal parts, the epidermis, and the ___________(2) ________________.
The ___________(1) ________________ is the thin outer portion, composed of several layers of
epithelial cells. The outermost layer of the epidermis, the stratum corneum, consists of many rows
of dead cells that contain a waterproofing protein called keratin.
The ___________(1) ________________, when unbroken, is an effective physical barrier against
microorganisms composed mainly of connective tissue.
The ___________(2) ________________ is the inner, relatively thick portion of skin, composed
mainly of connective tissue. The hair follicles, sweat gland ducts, and oil gland ducts in the dermis
provide passageways through which microorganisms can enter the skin and penetrate deeper
tissues.
Perspiration provides moisture and some nutrients for microbial growth. However, it contains salt,
which inhibits many microorganisms; the enzyme lysozyme, which is capable of breaking down
the cell walls of certain bacteria; and antimicrobial peptides.
Sebum, secreted by oil glands, is a mixture of lipids (unsaturated fatty acids), proteins, and salts
that prevents skin and hair from drying out. Although the fatty acids inhibit the growth of certain
pathogens, sebum, like perspiration, is also nutritive for many microorganisms.