Indications for skin biopsy

Skin rashes

• Assist in diagnosis

Skin tumours

• Assist in diagnosis
• Remove malignancy
• Remove unwanted skin growth

The 5 layers of the scalp

• Skin
• Connective tissue
• Aponeurosis
• Loose connective tissue
• Periosteum

Nerve supply to the face

CN V (trigeminal)

• Sensory to the face, motor to the muscles of mastication

Clinical testing of CN V (sensory)

• Ask the patient to close their eyes
• Gently brush the skin in each dermatome with a fine tip of cotton wool
• Ask the patient to tell you when they feel their skin being touched
• Compare the 2 sides

CN VII (facial)

• Sense of taste, motor to the muscles of facial expression