The Integumentary System (Medical Terms)

Actinic keratosis

A precancerous skin growth that occurs on sun-damaged skin.

Albinism

A genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises.

Alopecia

The partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp.

Blepharoplasty

Surgical reduction of the upper and lower eyelids.

Bulla

A large blister that is usually more than 0.5 cm in diameter.

Capillary hemangioma

A soft, raised, pink, or red vascular birthmark.

Carbuncle

A cluster of connected furuncles (boils).

Cellulitis

An acute, rapidly spreading bacterial infection within the connective tissues of the skin.

Chloasma

A pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face.

Cicatrix

A normal scar resulting from the healing of a wound.

Comedo

A noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle.

Debridement

The removal of dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from a wound to prevent infection and to promote healing.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating.

Dysplastic nevi

Atypical moles that can develop into skin cancer.

Ecchymosis

A large, irregular area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin.

Eczema

A form of recurring dermatitis characterized by itching, redness, and dryness.

Erythema

Redness of the skin due to capillary dilation.

Erythroderma

Abnormal redness of the entire skin surface.

Exanthem

A widespread rash, usually in children.

Exfoliative dermatitis

A condition in which there is widespread scaling of the skin.

Folliculitis

Inflammation of the hair follicles.

Furuncles

Large, tender, swollen areas caused by a staphylococcal infection around hair follicles or sebaceous glands.

Hematoma

A swelling of clotted blood trapped in the tissues.

Hirsutism

Excessive bodily and facial hair in women, usually occurring in a male pattern.

Ichthyosis

A group of hereditary disorders characterized by dry, thickened, and scaly skin.

Impetigo

A highly contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture.

Keloid

An abnormally raised or thickened scar that expands beyond the boundaries of the original incision.

Keratosis

Any skin growth, such as a wart or a callus, in which there is overgrowth and thickening of the skin.

Koilonychia

A malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon.

Lipedema

A chronic abnormal condition characterized by the accumulation of fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin of the hips and legs.

Lipoma

A benign, slow -growing fatty tumor located between the skin and the muscle layer.

Macule

A discolored, flat spot on the skin that is less than 1 cm in diameter.

Malignant melanoma

A type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes.

Necrotizing fasciitis

A rare, severe infection caused by group A strep bacteria.

Onychocryptosis

Ingrown toenail

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail.

Papilloma

A benign, superficial, wart-like growth on the epithelial tissue or elsewhere in the body, such as in the bladder.

Papule

A small, raised red lesion on the skin that is less than 0.5 cm in diameter.

Paronychia

An infection of the skin fold around a nail.

Pediculosis

An infestation with lice.

Petechiae

Very small pinpoint hemorrhages on the skin less than 2 mm in diameter.

Pressure ulcer

An open ulcerated wound that is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of skin over a bony prominence.

Pruritus

Itching

Psoriasis

A common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks.

Purpura

Multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin.

Purulent

Producing or containing pus.

Rhytidectomy

Surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the face to eliminate wrinkles.

Rosacea

A chronic skin condition of unknown cause that produces tiny red pimples and enlarged blood vessels.

Scabies

A skin infection caused by an infestation of itch mites.

Scleroderma

An autoimmune disorder in which the connective tissues become thickened and hardened, causing the skin to become hard and swollen.

Seborrheic dermatitis

Inflammation resulting from overactivity of the sebaceous glands that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp.

Squamous cell carcinoma

A malignant tumor of the scaly squamous cells of the epithelium that can quickly spread to other body systems.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

An autoimmune disorder characterized by a red, scaly rash on the face and upper trunk that also attacks the connective tissue in other body systems.

Tinea

A fungal infection that can grow on the skin, hair, or nails.

Urticaria

Itchy wheals on the skin caused by an allergic reaction.

Verrucae

Small, hard skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus.

Vitiligo

A skin condition resulting from the destruction of melanocytes due to unknown causes, resulting in irregular patches of white skin.

Wheal

A small bump on the skin that itches.

Xeroderma

Excessively dry skin.

Trich/o

Hair

Albin

White

Koil

Hollow or concave

Purpur

Purple

Prurit

Itching

Contus

Bruise

Pedicul

Lice

Blephar/o

Eyelid

-Lysis

Destruction

Prurit

Itching