Integumentary System Vocabulary Terms

Albinism

Genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

A type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells.

Biopsy

The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination.

Cauterization

The process of burning tissue to remove or close off a part of the body.

Cellulitis

A common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection.

Chloasma

Skin condition characterized by dark patches on the face.

Comedo

A clogged hair follicle in the skin.

Cryosurgery

A technique that uses extreme cold to destroy abnormal tissues.

Cyst

A sac-like pocket of membranous tissue that contains fluid, air, or other substances.

Diaphoresis

Excessive sweating.

Eczema

A condition that causes the skin to become red, inflamed, and itchy.

Gangrene

The death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection.

Impetigo

A highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores on the face.

Keloid

An overgrowth of scar tissue at the site of a healed skin injury.

Macule

A small discolored spot on the skin.

Papilloma

A benign epithelial tumor growing exophytically in nipple-like and branching patterns.

Pruritus

Severe itching of the skin.

Psoriasis

A chronic autoimmune condition that causes the rapid buildup of skin cells.

Rhytidectomy

A surgical procedure to reduce wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of the face.

Scabies

A contagious skin infestation by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei.

Tinea

A fungal infection of the skin.

Vitiligo

A condition that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.

Bi/o

Prefix meaning life or living organisms

Cutane/o

Combining form for the skin

Derm/o

Combining form for the skin

Dermat/o

Combining form for the skin

Hidr/o

Combining form for sweat or sweat glands

Kerat/o

Combining form for the hard, outer layer of the skin and hair

Lip/o

Combining form for fat

Melan/o

Combining form for black or dark

Myc/o

Combining form for fungus

Onych/o

Combining form for the nail

Pil/o

Combining form for hair

Py/o

Combining form for pus

Rhytid/o

Combining form for wrinkle

Seb/o

Combining form for sebum or oil

Urtic/o

Combining form for rash or hives

Xer/o

Combining form for dry

Alopecia

baldness, hair loss

Blepharoplasty

surgical repair of the eyelid

Capillary hemangioma

a soft, raised, pink, or red vascular birthmark

Carbuncle

a cluster of connected furuncles (boils)

Cicatrix

a normal scar resulting from the healing of a wound

Contact dermatitis

irritated or allergic response of the skin that can lead to an acute or chronic inflammation

Debridement

removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound

Ecchymosis

bruise

Furuncles

boils; large, tender, swollen areas caused by a staphylococcal infection around hair follicles or sebaceous glands

Granuloma

a general term used to describe a small, knot-like swelling of granulation tissue in the epidermis

Kaposi's Sarcoma

malignant cancer that causes erythematous or purplish patches; common in patients with AIDS

Lipedema

a chronic abnormal condition that is characterized by the accumulation of fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin of the hips and legs

Malignant melanoma

Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised.

Papule

small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin, 1cm

Pediculosis

infestation with lice

Pustule

raised spot on the skin containing pus

Rosacea

Chronic skin disorder of the face with red inflamed areas appearing mostly on the nose and cheeks

Scleroderma

an autoimmune disorder in which the connective tissues become thickened and hardened, causing the skin to become hard and swollen

Scratch test

type of allergy testing in which body is exposed to allergens through a light scratch in skin

Urticaria

allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red, elevated patches called wheals or hives

Vesicle

A membrane bound sac that contains materials involved in transport of the cell.

Wheal

small, round, raised area on the skin that may be accompanied by itching; usually seen in allergic reactions