chapter 4 : integumentary system

acne

inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces pimples on the skin

albinism

an inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair

allergy skin test

a test used to identify allergies

alopecia

hair loss that results from genetics, normal aging, illness, or drugs used to treat certain diseases

anesthetic

a drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain

antibiotic

a drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections

antifungal

a drug used to fight off fungal infections

antipruritic

a drug used to inhibit itching

antiviral

a drug used to treat viral infections

arrector pili

bundles of small muscle fibers

autograft

the surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another part of the same body

basal cell carcinoma

a commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis that typically does not metastasize

basal layer

the deepest layer of the epidermis that is constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface

biologic

a drug that works like parts of the immune system by disrupting the autoimmune response that occurs in certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis

biopsy

the removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine the presence of disease

blepharoplasty

plastic surgery of the eyelid

burns

an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat 

cauterization

destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current

chemical peel

the use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin

cicatrix

a scar left by a healed wound

collagen

a fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

corticosteroid

a hormone-like drug used as an anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressant

cryosurgery

a surgical procedure in which infected or abnormal cells or tissues are frozen in order to destroy or remove them

curettage

the removal of tissue by scraping the surface

cuticle

a narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail

cyanosis

a bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, caused by decreased circulation of oxygen-rich blood

cyst

a closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material that develops in a cavity or other structure of the body

debridement

the removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing

dermabrasion

the use of abrasive materials to remove layers of skin

dermatologist

a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails

dermatology technician

a specialized medical assis-tant who works in the skin-care field

dermatoplasty

the replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body

dermis

the layer of skin that lies directly below the epidermis, and which is made up of connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers, hair follicles, and sebaceous and sweat glands

ecchymosis

black-and-blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin

eczema

localized or general condition of excessive fluid retention and swelling in body tissues; may be caused by a number of endocrine diseases or conditions

epidermis

the outermost layer of the skin

epithelial tissue

body tissue that forms the skin covering the surface of the body, lines the internal organs, and makes up certain glands

excisional biopsy

the surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor

exfoliative cytology

a biopsy in which living tissue is scraped

first-degree burn

a skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions

fissure

a groove or crack, a sore, a deep, narrow, slit-like opening in a bone

gangrene

necrosis, or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection

gland

a cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select sub- stances within or out of the body

hair follicles

tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows

hair shaft

the nongrowing part of a hair that protrudes from the skin

immunosuppressant

a drug that prevents or reduces the body’s normal reactions to invasion and which is used to prevent the rejection of donor tissue or to treat autoimmune disorders

impetigo

bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fluid-filled sacs), pustules (small, pus-filled blisters), and crusted-over lesions

incision and drainage

a procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fluid or an abscess

incisional biopsy

a biopsy procedure in which an incision is made into living tissue, and a small piece is removed for microscopic examination

integumentary system

the body system that is composed of the skin and its accessories, and which protects the body by functioning as a physical barrier, regulates temperature and fluid control, produces vitamin D, and provides sensory information

intradermal skin test

a test in which different substances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions

kaposi’s sarcoma

a disease in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, including the stomach and intestines

keloid

an abnormally raised, thickened scar

keratin

a fibrous, water-repellent protein.

laser therapy

the surgical or therapeutic use of devices that generate concentrated beams of light

lesions, cancerous

lesions which may form and develop in the bone but have the capacity to spread to other areas of the body and continue to grow

lipectomy

the surgical removal of fat below the skin

lipids

a group of organic compounds that lubricate the skin and minimize water loss

lipocytes

cells that manufacture and store fat

liposuction

the use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin

lunula

the semilunar (half-moon- shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail

macule

a small, flat, discolored (brownish or red) lesion on the skin; freckle

malignant melanoma

a cancerous growth composed of melanocytes that begins as an irregularly shaped macule and then changes color and texture; classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration

melanin

pigment responsible for the skin’s color and which also helps protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun

melanocytes

cells located in the epidermis that contain and produce dark brown-to- black pigments called melanin

mohs surgery

a surgical method for treating skin cancer; thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined, the process continuing until there is no evidence of the tumor

mucous membrane

a thin, pliable layer of tissue that lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world (for example, the nasal passage)

nail plate

the hard, translucent part of the nail

nail root

the area of the dermis on which the nail rests

nails

accessory organs of the skin that are made of hard keratin

needle biopsy

a biopsy procedure in which a needle is used to remove a tissue sample for microscopic examination

nevus

a highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is flat or raised; also called a mole

nodule

a solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer

oral drugs

drugs you take orally

papule

a solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than one centimeter; also called a pimple

perspiration

the fluid excreted by sweat glands; also known as sweat

petechia

round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage

polyp

a small, mushroom-like growth, typically benign, that extends from the surface of a mucous membrane

psoriasis

a chronic disease marked by itchy, erythematous skin with silvery patches

punch biopsy

a biopsy in which a rotating blade is used to produce a cylindrical core of tissue

purpura

a purple or brownish-red rash in which blood leaks from vessels into the skin or mucous membranes

pustule

a small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; abscess

rhytidectomy

the elimination of wrinkles by surgically removing skin from the face

scabies

a contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus, or itching

scleroderma

a chronic, progressive disease of the skin marked by hardening and shrinking of connective tissue, which causes edema or pain in the muscles or joints

sclerotherapy

the injection of a medical solution such as saline into varicose veins or spider veins to remove these veins

scratch test

a type of allergy skin test; the forearm is scratched with lancets and a variety of substances

sebaceous glands

glands that secrete sebum and are located in the dermal layer of the skin

sebum

an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair

second-degree burn

a skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia

squamous cell carcinoma

malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis; may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells

stratified squamous epithelium

the upper layer of the epidermis

subcutaneous layer

the deepest layer of the skin

sweat glands

tiny, coiled glands that secrete sweat (perspiration) and are located in the dermis

systemic lupus erythematosus

a chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease

third-degree burn

a skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed

tinea

a skin infection caused by a fungus

topical drugs

applied to the body's surface (the skin or eyes) in order to achieve a desired local therapeutic effect

transdermal drugs

substances that are absorbed through the skin

ulcer

an open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane