Skin Conditions and Procedures

Adipocyte

Fat cell

Albinism

Condition of skin deficient in pigment (melanin)

Apocrine Sweat Gland

Large dermal exocrine gland responsible for body odor

Basal Layer

Deepest region of the epidermis, gives rise to all epidermal cells

Collagen

Structural protein found in skin and connective tissue

Cuticle

Band of epidermis at base and sides of nail plate

Dermis

Middle layer of the skin

Eccrine Sweat Gland

Most numerous sweat-producing gland in the skin

Epidermis

Outermost layer of the skin

Epithelium

Layer of skin cells forming outer and inner surfaces of body

Hair Follicle

Sac within which each hair grows

Integumentary System

Skin and its accessory structures such as hair and nails

Keratin

Hard protein material found in epidermis, hair, and nails

Lunula

Half-moon-shaped, whitish area at base of nail

Melanin

Skin pigment formed by melanocytes in epidermis

Paronychium

Soft tissue surrounding nail border

Pore

Tiny opening on surface of the skin

Sebaceous Gland

Oil-secreting gland in dermis associated with hair follicles

Sebum

Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands

Squamous Epithelium

Flat, scale-like cells composing the epidermis

Stratified

Arranged in layers

Stratum (Plural: Strata)

A layer (of cells)

Stratum Corneum

Outermost layer of the epidermis, consists of flattened, keratinized cells

Subcutaneous Layer

Innermost layer of the skin, containing fat tissue

Adip/o

Meaning: Fat (see lip/o)

Albin/o

Meaning: White

Caus/o

Meaning: Burn, burning

Cauter/o

Meaning: Heat, burn

Cutane/o

Meaning: Skin (see derm/o)

Derm/o, Dermat/o

Meaning: Skin

Diaphor/o

Meaning: Profuse sweating (see hidr/o)

Erythem/o, Erythemat/o

Meaning: Redness

Hidr/o

Meaning: Sweat

Ichthy/o

Meaning: Dry, scaly (fish-like)

Kerat/o

Meaning: Hard

Leuk/o

Meaning: White

Lip/o

Meaning: Fat

Melan/o

Meaning: Black

Myc/o

Meaning: Fungus (fungi include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms)

Onych/o

Meaning: Nail (see ungu/o)

Phyt/o

Meaning: Plant

Pil/o

Meaning: Hair (see trich/o), hair follicle

Py/o

Meaning: Pus

Rhytid/o

Meaning: Wrinkle

Seb/o

Meaning: Sebum (oily secretion from sebaceous glands)

Squam/o

Meaning: Scale-like

Trich/o

Meaning: Hair

Ungu/o

Meaning: Nail

Xanth/o

Meaning: Yellow

Xer/o

Meaning: Dry

Crust

Collection of dried serum and cellular debris

Cyst

Thick-walled, closed sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material

Erosion

Wearing away or loss of epidermis

Fissure

Groove or crack-like sore

Macule

Flat, pigmented lesion measuring less than 1 cm in diameter

Nodule

Solid, round or oval elevated lesion 1 cm or more in diameter

Papule

Small, solid elevation of the skin

Pustule

Papule containing pus

Ulcer

Open sore on the skin or mucous membranes

Vesicle

Small collection of clear fluid (serum); blister

Wheal

Smooth, edematous papule or plaque

Alopecia

Absence of hair from areas where it normally grows

Ecchymosis

Bluish-purplish mark (bruise) on the skin

Petechia

Small, pinpoint hemorrhage

Pruritus

Itching

Acne

Chronic papular and pustular eruption of the skin

Burns

Injury to tissues caused by heat contact

Cellulitis

Diffuse, acute infection of the skin

Atopic Dermatitis

Inflammatory skin disease with intense pruritus

Eczema

Inflammatory skin disease with erythematous, papulovesicular, or papulosquamous lesions

Exanthematous Viral Diseases

Rash of the skin due to a viral infection

Gangrene

Death of tissue associated with loss of blood supply

Impetigo

Bacterial inflammatory skin disease characterized by vesicles, pustules, and crusted-over lesions

Psoriasis

Chronic, recurrent dermatosis marked by itchy, scaly, red plaques

Scabies

Contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus

Scleroderma

Chronic progressive disease of the skin and internal organs

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of collagen in skin, joints, and internal organs

Tinea

Infection of the skin caused by a fungus

Urticaria

Acute allergic reaction with red, round wheals

Vitiligo

Loss of pigment in areas of the skin

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Malignant tumor of squamous epithelial cells in the epidermis

Malignant Melanoma

Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes

Kaposi Sarcoma

Malignant, vascular, neoplastic growth characterized by cutaneous nodules

Bacterial Analyses

Examination of skin samples for presence of microorganisms

Fungal Tests

Examination of skin samples for fungal infection

Cryosurgery

Use of subfreezing temperature to destroy tissue

Curettage

Scraping away a skin lesion with a sharp instrument

Electrodesiccation

Burning tissue with an electric spark

Mohs Surgery

Removal of thin layers of tissue for microscopic examination

Skin Biopsy

Removal of suspicious skin lesions for microscopic examination

Skin Test

Application of substances to the skin for diagnostic purposes

ABCDE

Asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution - characteristics associated with melanoma

BCC

Basal cell carcinoma

Bx

Biopsy

Derm

Dermatology

DLE

Discoid lupus erythematosus

PPD

Purified protein derivative - used in the skin test for tuberculosis

PUVA

Psoralen-ultraviolet A light therapy

SCC

Squamous cell carcinoma