CHAPTER 6 SKIN

acne vulgaris

chronic disorder of sebaceous gland

athlete’s foot

fungal infection of the foot or fingers

alopecia

loss of hair; baldness

arrector pili muscle

a smooth muscle on the side of each hair follicle; when cold, it stimulates the skin to pucker around the hair

abrasion

an injury in which superficial layers of the skin are scraped or rubbed away

avascular

without blood vessels

basal cell carcinoma

most common and least malignant type of skin cancer

decubitus ulcers

a deterioration of the skin due to constant pressure on the area

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

cortex

the part of hair that consists of keratinized, nonliving cells; outer part of an internal organ

boils

bacterial infection of sebaceous gland

dermis

true skin; lying immediately beneath the epidermis

eczema

acute or chronic noncontagious inflammation of the skin; very itchy

eschar

blackened skin that is usually a result of third-degree burns

first-degree (superficial) burn

burn that affects only the epidermal layer

fissure

the deep furrows within the brain matter

epidermis

outermost layer of skin

erythema

redness of the skin due to dilation of the capillary network

fungal infections

infections that grows in warm, moist environments that commonly affect the nails

hyperthermia

condition in which the body temperature rises above normal

hypothermia

a condition in which the body temperature drops below normal

hair follicle

in pocketing of the epidermis that holds the hair root

herpes

contagious viral infection in which small blisters appear

herpes simplex

a viral infection that is usually seen as a blister around the face or mouth; also called cold sores or fever blisters

impetigo

acute and contagious skin disease with distinct yellow crusts

jaundice

yellowish coloring of the skin

integumentary system

all organs and structures that make up the skin

laceration

a tear or jagged wound in the skin

ingrown nails

a condition where a nail curves downward into the skin

keratin

protein that keeps the skin dry and protects against UV rays, bacteria, abrasions, and some chemicals

lice

parasitic insects found usually in the hair; highly contagious

medulla

innermost layer of hair; inner portion of an organ

melanocytes

cells that make the protein melanin to protect against ultraviolet rays

moles

benign growths that occur when melanocytes grow in a cluster with tissue surrounding them

malignant melanoma

a type of tumor that develops in the pigmented cells of the skin called melanocytes and

melanin

pigment that gives color to hair, skin, and eyes; protects from UV rays

papillae

ridges formed in the lower edge of the stratum germinativum; they raise the skin into permanent ridges that form fingerprints

ringworm

contagious fungal infection with raised circular patches

sebaceous glands

gland that secretes sebum, a fatty material

psoriasis

chronic inflammatory skin disease with silvery scales

root

(1) the part of a tooth that is embedded into the alveolar process of the jaw; (2) the part of a hair that is implanted in the skin

rosacea

a common inflammatory disorder characterized by chronic redness and irritation to the face

rule of nines

pertains to patients with burns; measurement of the percentage of body burned: the body is divided into 11 areas, with each area

sebum

secretion of sebaceous glands that lubricate the skin

second-degree (partial-thickness) burn

affects the epidermis and dermis layers

skin cancer

a tumor that develops on the skin

shingles (herpes zoster)

virus infection of the nerve endings

squamous cell carcinoma

cancer of the epidermis that grows rapidly; often found on scalp or lower lip

shaft

(1) the part of the hair that extends from the skin surface; (2) the diaphysis of a long bone

stratum corneum

the surface layer of the skin made up of dead cells that slough off daily

stratum germinativum

the deepest epidermal layer of the skin

stratum spinosum

the epidermal layer that under a microscope looks prickly; contains melanocytes, keratinocytes, and Langerhans cells

stratum granulosum

the epidermal layer where keratinocyte cells change their shape, lose their nucleus, lose most of their water, and become mainly hard

stratum lucidum

the epidermal layer found only in the palms of the hands or soles of the feet; the cells in this layer appear clear

sweat glands

sudoriferous gland that produces sweat or perspiration

third-degree (fullthickness) burn

burn that involves complete destruction of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers

urticaria (hives

skin condition characterized by itching wheals or welts and usually caused by an allergic reaction