Chapter 4 - Integumentary System

abrasion

scraping away of the skin by mechanical process or injury

acne

inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hand follicles

actinic keratosis

precancerous skin condition of horny tissue formation that results from excessive exposure to sunlight. it may evolve into a squamous cell carcino

albinism

congenital hereditary condition characterized by partial or total lack of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair, and eyes

basal cell carcinoma

malignant epithelial tumor arising from the bottom layer of the epidermis called the basal layer; it seldom metastasizes, but invades local tissue and may recur in the same location. common in individuals who have had excessive sun exposure

candidiasis

infection of the skin, mouth (thrush), or vagina caused by the yeast-type fungus Candida albicans. candida is normally present in the mucous membranes; overgrowth causes an infection. esophageal candidiasis is often seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

carbuncle

infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue composed of a cluster of boils (furuncle) caused by staphylococcal bacteria

cellulitis

inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by infection; characterized by redness, heat, pain, and swelling

contusion

injury with no break in the skin, characterized by pain, swelling, and discoloration (bruise)

eczema

noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching

fissure

slit or cracklike sore in the skin

furuncle

painful skin nodule caused by staphy

gangrene

death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion (form of necrosis)

herpes

inflammatory skin disease caused by herpes virus characterized by small blisters in clusters. many types of herpes exists. herpes simplex virus type 1, for ex. can cause fever blisters; herpes zoster (shingles) is characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow nerves inflamed by the virus

impetigo

superficial skin infection characterized by pustules and caused by either staphylococci or streptococci

kaposi sarcoma

cancerous condition starting as purple or brown papules that spreads through the skin to the lymph nodes and internal organs; frequently seen with aids

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

laceration

torn, ragged-edged wound

measles

highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, and a spreading skin rash. it’s a potentially disastrous disease which can lead to pneumonia, severe bleeding, brain infections (may cause seizures, developmental delay or chronic brain disease) sometimes leads to death. significant cause to death despite the availability of a safe, effective vaccine

MRSA infection

invasion of body tissue by, a strain of common bacteria that has developed resistance to M and other antibiotics. can produce skin and soft tissue infections and sometimes bloodstream infections and pneumonia. which can be fatal if not treated. quite common in hospitals and long-term care facilities but is increasingly emerging as an important infection in the general population

pediculosis

invasion into the skin and hair by lice

pilonidal cyst

abnormal pocket in the skin that contains hair and skin debris. it’s frequently located near the tailbone, at the top of the cleft of the buttocks. if it becomes infected, it can be severely painful and may require surgery

pressure injury

damage of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue caused by prolonged pressure, often occurring in bedridden patients; the injury, which may be painful, can present as intact skin or an open ulcer (pressure ulcer & bedsore frequently called decubitus ulcer)

psoriasis

chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales

rosacea

chronic disorder of the skin that produces erythema, papules, pustules, and abnormal dilation of tiny blood vessels, usually occurring on the central area of the face in people older than 30 yrs

scabies

skin infection caused by the itch mite, characterized by papule eruptions that are caused by the female burrowing into the outer layer of the skin and laying eggs. accompanied by severe itching

squamous cell carcinoma

malignant growth developing from scalelike epithelial tissue of the surface layer of the epidermis; it invades local tissue and may metastasize. most commonly appear on skin, can occur in other parts of the body including the mouth, lips, and genital. most frequent cause if chronic exposure to sunlight

systemic lupus erythematosus

chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin, joints, kidneys, and nervous system. autoimmune disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations. may affect other organs

tinea

fungal infection of the skin. fungi may infect keratin of skin, hair, and nails. infectious are classified by body regions such as tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (bod), and tinea pedis (foot). called ringworm, and tinea pedis specifically is called athlete foot.

urticaria

itchy skin eruption composed of wheals of varying sizes and shapes. sometimes associated with infectious and with allergic reactions to foods, medicine, and other agents. other causes include internal disease, physical stimuli, and genetic disorders

vitiligo

white patches on the skin caused by destruction of melanocytes

cauterization

destruction of tissue with a hot or cold instrument, electric current, or caustic substance (cautery)

cryosurgery

destruction of tissue by using extreme cold, often by using liquid nitrogen

debridement

removal of contaminated or dead tissue and foreign matter from an open wound

dermabrasion

procedure to remove skin scars with abrasive material, sandpapper

excision

removal by cutting

incision

surgical cut or wound produced by sharp instrument

incision and drainage

surgical cut made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity

laser surgery

procedure using an instrument that emits a high powered bean of lights used to cut, burn, vaporized, or destroy tissue

mohs surgery

technique of microscopically controlled serial excisions of a skin cancer

skin grafts

skin transplanted to replace a lost portion of the body skin surface; it may be a full-thickness or split thickness- graft

suturing

to stitch edges of a wound surgically

abscess

localized collection of pus, bacteria, and other material; can occur in the skin (cutaneous) or other locations within the body (internal)

alopecia

loss of hair; multiple types with various causes (androgenic, areata, & traction)

cyst

closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material; can occur in the skin (cutaneous cyst) or other locations within the body

diaphoresis

swelling

ecchymosis

large (+1cm) flat, blue-purple lesion caused by escape of blood into deeper areas of the skin, may occur when blood is withdrawn by a needle and syringe from an arm vein

edema

puffy swelling of tissue from the accumulation of fluid

induration

abnormal hard spots or area of skin; may include underlying tissue

jaundice

condition characterized by a yellow coloring of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (white of eye) caused by presence of bile (icterus)

lesion

any visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease. it’s a broad term that includes sores, wounds, ulcers, and tumors

leukoplakia

condition characterized by white spots or patches on mucous membranes, may be precancerous

macule

flat, colored spot on the skin

nevus

circumscribed malformation of the skin, usually brown, black, or flesh colored. a congenital nevus is present at birth and is referred to as a birthmark (mole)

nodule

small, knotlike mass that can be felt by touch

pallor

paleness

papule

small, solid skin elevation

petechiae

tiny (.3 cm or smaller) pinpoint, bright red lesions that result from escape of blood into the skin and mucous membranes

pruritus

itching

purpura

small (between .3cm-1cm) reddish purple-lesions caused by escape of blood into skin and mucus membranes

pustule

elevation of skin containing pus

ulcer

erosion of the skin or mucous membrane

verruca

circumscribed cutaneous elevation caused by a virus (wart)

vesicle

small elevation of the epidermis containing liquid (blister)

wheal

transitory, itchy elevation of the skin with a white center and a red surrounding area; individual urticaria (hive) lesion