Medical Language - Chapter 3: Dermatology Vocabulary

Vocabulary practice flashcards generated from Medical Language 6th Edition Chapter 3 on Dermatology.

Dermatology (Derm)

The medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system.

Integumentary system

The system covering most of the body surface, consisting of the skin, nails, and subcutaneous tissue.

Epidermis

The thin, outermost layer of the skin made up of epithelial tissues.

Dermis

The thick layer of skin lying below the epidermis, composed of connective tissue.

Subcutaneous tissue (SQ, subcu, subQ)

A layer of connective tissue lying beneath the dermis composed of adipose or fatty tissue that cushions and insulates the body.

Dermatitis

Any infection or inflammation of the skin.

Edema

Swelling caused by excessive amounts of fluid moving from the blood into the dermis or subQ tissue.

Pitting edema

Severe edema in which fingertip pressure displaces tissue fluid and leaves a deep indentation.

Hemorrhage

Injury to blood vessels that releases blood into the skin.

Lesion

Any area of visible damage on the skin or a variation from normal skin.

Cyst

An elevated, circular mound lesion that is skin-colored or erythematous and filled with semisolid or partly fluid contents.

Fissure

A small, cracklike crevice lesion with erythema and none or some fluid exudate.

Macule

A flat circular lesion, pigmented brown or black, containing no fluid or solid contents.

Papule

An elevated solid lesion that is skin-colored or erythematous.

Pustule

An elevated lesion with a white top containing pus.

Scale

A flat to slightly elevated thin white flake containing no fluid.

Vesicle

An elevated lesion with a pointed transparent top containing clear fluid.

Wheal

An elevated lesion with a broad, flat pale top containing clear fluid.

Neoplasm

A new growth on the skin, which may be benign or malignant.

Pruritus

The condition of itching.

Rash

A red or pink skin lesion that is flat or raised, itchy or not itchy.

Xeroderma

Excessively dry skin.

Melanocyte

A cell in the epidermis that produces melanin, a pigment that absorbs UV light.

Albinism

A genetic mutation in which melanocytes do not produce melanin, resulting in a lack of coloration of the skin, hair, and eyes.

Cyanosis

A bluish-purple discoloration of the skin and nails.

Erythema

Red discoloration of the skin, which may be local or cover large areas.

Jaundice

Yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera due to the inability of the liver to process bilirubin.

Necrosis

Gray-to-black discoloration of skin due to skin tissue death from a burn, ulcer, wound, or poor blood supply.

Vitiligo

An autoimmune disease in which melanocytes are slowly destroyed, producing patches of depigmentation.

Abrasion

A sliding or scraping injury that mechanically removes the epidermis.

Blister

A fluid-filled sac with a thin, transparent covering of epidermal cells caused by repetitive rubbing injury.

Callus

A thickened, elevated pad on the dermis caused by repetitive rubbing.

Cicatrix

Collagen formed as an injury heals; a scar.

Excoriation

A superficial injury caused by a sharp object that creates a linear scratch on the skin.

Keloid

A firm, abnormally large scar that grows larger than the original injury due to overproduction of collagen.

Laceration

A linear penetrating wound with clean-cut or torn, ragged edges.

Decubitus ulcer

An ulcer in the skin caused by epidermal and dermal breakdown associated with constant pressure that decreases blood flow over bony areas.

Abscess

A localized pus-containing pocket under the skin caused by a bacterial infection.

Cellulitis

Infection and inflammation of the connective tissues of the skin.

Shingles

Infection with the herpes varicella-zoster virus causing vesicles, erythema, edema, and pain along a dermatome.

Dermatome

An area of skin associated with a specific spinal nerve that sends sensory information to the spinal cord.

Verruca

A rough, irregular skin lesion caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV); commonly known as a wart.

Tinea

A fungal infection of the skin (ringworm) causing severe itching and burning with red, scaly lesions.

Pediculosis

Infestation of lice and their eggs (nits) in the scalp, hair, eyelashes, or genital area.

Scabies

Infestation of parasitic mites that tunnel under the skin and produce itchy vesicles.

Contact dermatitis

Dermatitis caused by physical contact with an allergen or irritant such as soap, makeup, or urine.

Urticaria

A local allergic reaction to allergens involving histamine release that causes raised areas of redness and edema (wheals or welts) occurring suddenly.

Actinic keratosis

Raised, rough areas on the skin resulting from chronic sun exposure; also called solar keratosis.

Hemangioma

A mass of superficial, dilated blood vessels present at birth.

Lipoma

A rounded growth of adipose tissue located in the skin.

Nevus

A skin lesion present at birth coming in a variety of shapes and colors, such as a mole, birthmark, or port-wine stain.

Papilloma

A soft, flesh-colored growth protruding from the skin as a flap or polyp on a stalk; commonly known as a skin tag.

Senile lentigo

Light-to-dark brown, flat macules on sun-exposed skin in elderly individuals; also called age spots or liver spots.

Syndactyly

A condition in which the skin and tissues between the fingers or toes are joined together.

Basal cell carcinoma

A slow-growing skin cancer that begins in the basal epidermis and appears as a raised, pearly bump.

Malignant melanoma

A fast-growing and spreading cancer that originates in melanocytes.

Squamous cell carcinoma

A slow-growing skin cancer beginning in the squamous epidermis that presents as a red bump or ulcer.

Psoriasis

An autoimmune disorder in which overproduction of abnormal epidermal cells creates itch, silvery scales, and plaques.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

An autoimmune disorder in which collagen in skin and connective tissues deteriorates, characterized by a butterfly rash on the nose and cheeks.

Acne vulgaris

A chronic skin condition of adolescence in which hardened sebum blocks hair follicles, producing comedos.

Rosacea

A chronic skin condition of middle age characterized by blotchy erythema and dilated blood vessels.

Anhidrosis

Congenital absence of sweat glands, leading to an inability to produce sweat and intolerance to heat.

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating that may indicate a serious underlying clinical condition.

Piloerection

The action of a tiny muscle contracting at the hair follicle base when cold, causing the hair to stand up and form a goosebump.

Alopecia

Loss of hair from the scalp caused by disease, medication, or changes in hormone levels.

Hirsutism

The presence of excessive, dark hair on the forearms and upper lip of women due to hormonal changes.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail root that causes the growing nail to become deformed.

Culture and sensitivity (C&S)

A laboratory procedure in which bacteria from a wound or lesion are grown to establish a diagnosis and select appropriate antibiotic treatment.

Allergy skin testing

A diagnostic procedure involving intradermal injection or scratching of a liquid allergen, where formation of a wheal indicates an allergic response.

Skin scraping

Scraping of cells from a lesion with a scalpel edge for microscopic examination to diagnose tinea.

Tzanck test

Microscopic inspection of fluid scraped from a vesicle used to diagnose herpes virus infection and shingles.

Wood lamp

An ultraviolet light used to highlight abnormal skin, causing vitiligo to appear bright white and tinea capitis blue-green.

Cryolipolysis

Treatment for unwanted fat deposits in which a cold device freezes fat cells, causing them to crystallize and die.

Cryosurgery

Procedure applying liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy benign or small malignant lesions.

Debridement

Surgical or medical removal of necrotic tissue to prevent infection and prepare a clean, raw surface for healing or skin grafting.

Electrosurgery

Treatment for skin lesions using electricity to evaporate cellular contents and kill cells.

Incision and drainage (I&D)

A procedure in which an incision is made to drain accumulated fluid or pus.

Skin turgor assessment

Assessment of hydration level performed by pulling up a skin fold and observing the time required for it to flatten.

Suturing

Treatment to bring edges of skin together after a laceration or injury by sewing skin and tissue.

Ultherapy

Treatment using ultrasound waves to stimulate production of new collagen to treat face and neck wrinkles.

Topical drug route

Administration of a drug directly onto the skin to produce a local effect.

Transdermal drug route

Administration of a drug via skin patches that absorb into the bloodstream to produce a systemic effect.

Biopsy (Bx)

Removal of all or part of a skin lesion or tumor to send to pathology for examination and diagnosis.

Dermatoplasty

Any type of plastic surgery performed on the skin, including grafting, keloid removal, and facelifts.

Rhytidectomy

Surgical removal of wrinkles to tighten loose facial skin.

Liposuction

Removal of excessive subcutaneous fat deposits by suctioning.

Mohs surgery

Surgical removal of skin cancers with irregular shapes and depths, using an operating microscope to examine each removed layer.

Skin grafting

The use of human or artificial skin to provide a temporary covering or permanent layer over a burn or wound.