The language of dermatology

Cutaneous

Pertaining to the skin

Dermis(Al)

connective tissue layer of the skin beneath the epidermis

Dermatology

Medical specialty concerned with the disorders of the skin

Dermatologist

Medical specialist in the diseases of the skin

Epidermis

Top layer of the skin

Intergumentary

Pertaining to the covering of the body

Epithelial

Relating to or consisting of epithelium

Epithelium

Tissue that covers surfaces or a lines cavities

Keratinocyte

So that produces a tough horny protein (keratin) in the process of differentiating into dead cells of the stratum corneum

Melanocyte

Cell that synthesizes/produces melanin

Stratum

A layer of tissue

Stratum Basale

Deepest layer of the epidermis which other cells originate and migrate from

Stratum Corneum

Outermost layer of the epidermis that has cells containing keratin; The layer is tough and thick like a horn

Stratum Ganulosum

Layer of the epidermis where the cells contain granules of lipids

Stratum Lucidum

Layer of the epidermis, which is only found on the palms of the hand or the souls of the feet

Stratum Spinosom

Layer of the epidermis where cells appear to have spines

Adipose

Containing fat

Collagen

Major protein of connective, tissue cartilage, and bone

Fibroblast

Cells that form collagen fibers

Hypodermis

Tissue layer below the dermis

Hypodermic

Beneath the skin

Subcutaneous

Below the skin

Albinism

Genetic disorder with lack of melanin

Alopecia

Partial or complete hair loss naturally or from medication

Cortex

Outer person of an organ, such as bone

Cuticle

Nonliving epidermis at base of fingernails, toenails, and outer layer of hair

Axillea

Medical name for armpit

Axillary

Pertaining to the axilla

Medulla

Central portion of a structure surrounded by cortex

Melanin

Black pigment found in skin, hair, and retina

Eumelanin

Dark form of the pigment melanin

Pheomelanin

The lighter form of melanin

Eccrine

Coiled sweat gland that occurs in skin all over the body

Merocine

Another name for eccrine

Basal

Pertaining to a lower part of a structure

Carcinoma

A malignant epithelial tumor

Basal

Pertaining to the lower part of a structure

Carcinoma

A malignant epithelial tumor

Decubitus ulcer

Sore caused by laying down for long periods of time

Lesion

Pathological change or injury and tissue

Malignant

Having properties of being locally invasive and able to spread two distant parts of the body

Melanoma

Malignant tumor found in cells that produce melanin

Metastasis

Spread of disease from one part of the body to another

Metastasisize

To spread to distant parts

Nevis

Congenital or acquired lesion of the skin (Another word for mole)

Pathology

Medical speciality, dealing with the structural and punctual changes of a disease process or the cause and development/structural changes and disease

Pathologic

Pertaining to the changes in the body induced by disease

Allergen

Substance producing a hypersensitivity

Allergic

Pertaining to or suffering from an allergy

Allergy

Hypersensitivity to a particular allergen

Eczema

Inflammatory Skin disease often with a serious discharge

Excoriate

To scratch

Ichthyosis

Scaling and dryness of the skin

Pruritus

Itching

Candidiasis

Infection with the yeastlike fungus candida

Thrush

Another word for candidiasis

Carbuncle

In infection, composed of many furuncles in a small area

Cellulitis

Infection of subcutaneous connective tissue

Herpes zoster (Shingles)

Painful eruption of vesicles that follows a dermatome or nerve root on one side of the body

Impetigo

Infection of the skin that produces a thick yellow crust

Infection

Invasion of the body by disease producing microorganisms

Infestation

Act of being invaded on the skin by a troublesome other species, such as a parasite

Necrotizing fasciitis

Inflammationfascia producing death of the Tissue

Parasite

An organism that attaches itself to or lives in or on and derives its nutrition from another species

Pediculosis

A infestation with lice

Scabies

Skin disease produced by mites

Tinea

General term for a group of related skin infections caused by different species of fungi

Capitus

Fungal infection of the scalp

Corporis

Fungal infection of the body

Cruris

Fungal infection of the groin

Pedis

Fungal infection of the foot

Versicolor

Fungal infection of the trunk in which the skin loses pigmentation

Verruca

Warts caused by a virus

Autoimmune

Immune reaction directed against a person’s own tissue

Dermatomyositis

Inflammation of the skin and muscles

Psoriasis

Rash that is characterized by reddish silver scaled patches

Rosacea

Persistent erythematous rash of the central face

Scleroderma

Thickening and hardening of the skin due to new collagen formation

Systematic lupus erythematosus

Inflammatory, connective tissue disease that affects the whole body

Vitiligo

Nine pigmented white patches on otherwise normal skin

Acne

An inflammatory disease of sebaceous glands, and hair follicles

Androgen

Hormone that promotes masculine characteristics

Comedo

A whitehead or blackhead caused by too much sebum, and too many character cells blocking the hair follicle

Papule

Small circumscribed evaluation on the skin

Dandruff

Seborrheic scales from the scalp

Seborrhea

Excessive amount amount sebum

Diaphoretic

Pertaining to sweat or perspiration

Diaphoresis

Abnormal amount of sweat or perspiration

Hypoxia (ic)

Decrease below normal levels of oxygen and tissues, gases, or blood

Malnutrition

Lack of nutrition from poor diet or inadequate absorption of nutrients

Onchomycosis

Condition of a fungus infection in a nail

Paraonychia

Infection alongside the nail

Debridement

The removal of injured or necrotic tissue

Eschar

The burned dead tissue laying on top of a third or fourth-degree burn

Shock

Sudden, physical or mental collapse or circulatory collapse

Allograft (Homograft)

Skin graft from another person or cadaver

Autograft

A graft using tissues taken from the individual who is receiving the graft

Xenograft (Heterograft)

A graph taken from another species

Abrasion

A area of skin that has been scraped off

Clot

The mass of fibrin and cells that is produced in a wound