Cosmetology License Exam Anatomy, Physiology, and the Sciences Syllabus

Which bone forms the lower jaw and is the largest bone of the face?

The mandible.

Which facial bones form the cheekbones?

The zygomatic (malar) bones.

Which bones form the bridge of the nose?

The nasal bones.

What is the principal bone of the neck, and what other neck bones are important to cosmetology?

The hyoid bone (supports the tongue) is the principal neck bone; the cervical vertebrae (seven) and clavicle and scapula relate to the neck/shoulder region.

What are the bones of the upper arm and forearm?

The humerus (upper arm), and the ulna and radius (forearm).

What are the three groups of bones in the hand and wrist?

The carpus (wrist, 8 bones), the metacarpus (palm, 5 bones), and the phalanges (digits/fingers, 14 bones).

How many bones make up the wrist (carpus)?

Eight small, irregular carpal bones.

What is the function of the muscular system?

It covers, shapes, and supports the skeleton, and produces all body movement through contraction.

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

Striated (skeletal/voluntary), non-striated (smooth/involuntary), and cardiac (heart) muscle.

What is the part of a muscle that does not move called, and what is the moving part called?

The origin is the fixed (non-moving) attachment; the insertion is the movable attachment where the action occurs.

In what three ways may massage be applied to stimulate muscle, and where should pressure generally be directed?

Massage stimulates muscle by hand, electrical current, or vibration; pressure is generally directed from the insertion toward the origin.

What is the epicranius (occipitofrontalis) muscle?

The broad muscle that covers the top of the skull, consisting of the frontalis (front) and occipitalis (back), connected by the epicranial aponeurosis.

Which neck muscle lowers and rotates the head, and is commonly affected by massage?

The sternocleidomastoideus (sternocleidomastoid).

What does the nervous system do?

It controls and coordinates all body functions and consists of the central nervous system, peripheral nervous system, and autonomic nervous system.

What is the function of motor (efferent) nerves versus sensory (afferent) nerves?

Motor nerves carry impulses from the brain to muscles (causing movement); sensory nerves carry impulses from sense organs to the brain (producing sensations like touch, heat, and pain).

What is the function of the circulatory (cardiovascular) system?

It controls the steady circulation of blood through the body via the heart and blood vessels (arteries, veins, capillaries).

What is the integumentary system?

The body system composed of the skin and its accessory organs (oil and sweat glands, sensory receptors, hair, and nails).

What are the two main layers of the skin?

The epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner/true skin layer), resting on the subcutaneous (adipose) tissue.

Name the layers (strata) of the epidermis from outermost to innermost.

Stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum germinativum (basale).

In which layer of the epidermis is melanin produced, and which layer continually produces new cells?

Melanin is produced in the stratum germinativum (basale), which also continually produces new epidermal cells.

What are the two layers of the dermis?

The papillary layer (upper) and the reticular layer (lower).

What gives skin its strength, form, and ability to stretch and recoil?

Collagen (provides strength and form) and elastin (provides flexibility and recoil), both fibers found in the dermis.

What are the two types of glands found in the skin?

Sudoriferous (sweat) glands and sebaceous (oil) glands.

What do sebaceous glands secrete, and what is its function?

They secrete sebum (oil), which lubricates the skin and keeps the hair soft.

What do sudoriferous (sweat) glands do?

They excrete sweat (perspiration), regulating body temperature and eliminating waste products.

What are the six functions of the skin?

Protection, sensation, heat regulation, excretion, secretion, and absorption.

How does the skin receive its nourishment?

Through the blood and lymph that supply nutrients and oxygen to the skin (especially the dermis); about two-thirds of the body's blood supply is distributed to the skin.

What are the main factors that cause skin aging?

Intrinsic (natural) aging and extrinsic factors, chiefly UV radiation from the sun (photoaging), plus smoking, pollution, and poor health; these break down collagen and elastin, causing wrinkles and sagging.

Define matter and its three states.

Matter is any substance that occupies space and has mass; its three physical states are solid, liquid, and gas.

What is the difference between an element, a compound, and a mixture?

An element is the simplest form of matter (one kind of atom); a compound is two or more elements chemically combined in fixed proportions; a mixture is two or more substances physically combined in any proportion.

What is the pH scale and its range?

A scale from 0 to 14 that measures how acidic or alkaline a water-based solution is; 7 is neutral, below 7 is acidic, and above 7 is alkaline.

What pH range is considered acidic versus alkaline, and what does pH measure?

pH below 7 is acidic, above 7 is alkaline (basic); pH measures the concentration of hydrogen ions in a solution.

What is the approximate pH of healthy skin and hair?

About 4.5 to 5.5 (slightly acidic), often referred to as the acid mantle.

What is the difference between an acid and an alkali (base)?

Acids have a pH below 7, taste sour, and turn litmus red; alkalis (bases) have a pH above 7, feel slippery, and turn litmus blue. They neutralize each other.

What is oxidation-reduction (redox)?

A chemical reaction in which oxidation (the loss of electrons or gain of oxygen) and reduction (the gain of electrons or loss of oxygen) occur simultaneously; the oxidizing agent gives off oxygen and the reducing agent takes it on.

What is the difference between a solution, a suspension, and an emulsion?

A solution is a stable, uniform mixture of dissolved substances; a suspension is an unstable mixture of undissolved particles that separate over time; an emulsion is two immiscible liquids (such as oil and water) held together by an emulsifier (surfactant).

What is the difference between an O/W and a W/O emulsion?

In an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion, oil droplets are dispersed in water (most cosmetic creams/lotions, feel less greasy); in a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsion, water droplets are dispersed in oil (heavier, greasier, like cold creams).

What is a surfactant (emulsifier) and what are its two ends called?

A surface active agent that reduces surface tension and lets oil and water mix; it has a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and a lipophilic/hydrophobic (oil-loving) tail.

Name common functional categories of cosmetic product ingredients.

Examples include emollients (moisturize/soften), humectants (attract water), surfactants/emulsifiers, preservatives, colorants/pigments, fragrances, and active ingredients.

What is electric current?

The flow of electricity (electrons) along a conductor.

What is the difference between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC)?

Direct current (DC) is a constant, even-flowing current that travels in one direction; alternating current (AC) is a rapid, interrupted current that flows first in one direction and then in the opposite direction.

What is the difference between a conductor and an insulator (nonconductor)?

A conductor is a material that easily transmits electricity (such as most metals and water); an insulator/nonconductor resists the flow of electricity (such as rubber, glass, silk, and dry wood).

What is a volt and what does it measure?

A volt (V) is the unit that measures the pressure or force that pushes electric current forward through a conductor.

What is an ampere (amp) and what does it measure?

An ampere (A) is the unit that measures the strength or rate of flow of an electric current; a milliampere is 1/1000 of an ampere.

What is an ohm and what does it measure?

An ohm is the unit that measures the resistance of an electric current.

What is a watt and what does it measure?

A watt (W) is the unit that measures how much electrical energy is being used in one second; a kilowatt (kW) equals 1,000 watts.

What is the purpose of a fuse?

A fuse prevents excessive current from passing through a circuit; it melts and breaks the circuit when too much current flows, protecting against overheating and fire.

What is a circuit breaker and how does it differ from a fuse?

A circuit breaker is a switch that automatically interrupts/shuts off an electric circuit at the first sign of overload; unlike a fuse, it can be reset instead of replaced.

What is the purpose of grounding in an electrical circuit?

Grounding provides a safe pathway (third prong/wire) to carry current safely away in case of a malfunction, protecting against electric shock.

What is the difference between a complete circuit and a short circuit?

A complete circuit is the path of an electric current from the source through conductors and back; a short circuit is an unintended path that bypasses normal resistance, causing excessive current flow.

What is a modality in electrotherapy?

A current used in electrical facial and scalp treatments; the main modalities are galvanic, faradic, sinusoidal, and Tesla (high-frequency) current.

What is galvanic current used for in cosmetology?

Galvanic current is a constant, direct current used to produce chemical changes; it is used for desincrustation (softening/emulsifying sebum) and iontophoresis (introducing water-soluble products into the skin).

What is an electrode in electrotherapy, and what are the two poles called?

An electrode (probe) is the applicator that directs current to the client's skin; the two poles are the positive pole (anode) and the negative pole (cathode).

What is Tesla high-frequency current used for?

A thermal, oscillating current used for its germicidal and heating effects; it stimulates circulation and can be applied to the skin or scalp (often called the violet ray).

What is the electromagnetic spectrum?

The full range of electromagnetic radiation (energy/light waves) arranged by wavelength, including (from longest to shortest wavelength) radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma rays.

What is visible light and what part of the spectrum does it occupy?

Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum the human eye can see; it makes up only about 35% of natural sunlight and ranges from violet (shortest visible wavelength) to red (longest).

What are the effects of infrared light in skin/light therapy?

Infrared light produces heat; it penetrates deeply, relaxes muscles, increases circulation, and produces a warming/soothing effect. It makes up about 60% of natural sunlight.

What are the two types of ultraviolet (UV) light and their effects?

UVA (longer wavelength, 'aging rays') penetrate deeply and cause premature aging; UVB (shorter wavelength, 'burning rays') cause sunburn and stimulate vitamin D production. UV is also germicidal.

In LED light therapy, what are blue light and red light typically used for?

Blue LED light is used to kill acne-causing bacteria; red LED light is used to stimulate circulation, collagen production, and reduce inflammation.