ANAPHY IS C5: Pathology and Application in the Medical Fields

Vocabulary flashcards covering skin pathologies, structures, functions, burn types, and medical applications as presented in Chapter 5 of the integumentary system notes.

Cyanosis

A bluish color of the skin caused by decreased blood oxygen content and may indicate impaired circulatory or respiratory function.

Jaundice

A yellowish skin color caused by buildup of bile pigments in the blood and tissues and may indicate impaired liver function.

Skin Rash

A visible change in the skin that may indicate an infection, allergic reaction, drug reaction, or other condition.

Scarlet Fever

A condition in which bacteria infecting the throat release a toxin that produces a reddish skin rash.

Allergic Skin Reaction

A skin response that may occur after exposure to allergens such as certain foods or drugs.

Acne

An inflammatory disorder of hair follicles and sebaceous glands associated with hormones, sebum, abnormal epidermal cells, and bacteria.

Whitehead

A blocked hair follicle containing accumulated sebum and dead epidermal cells.

Blackhead

A hair follicle blockage in which accumulated cells and sebum extend through the follicle opening.

Pimple

An inflamed acne lesion that can develop when a hair follicle wall ruptures and bacteria enter surrounding tissue.

Skin Cancer

Cancer involving skin cells, commonly associated with excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure.

Basal Cell Carcinoma

A common skin cancer that begins in the stratum basale and usually has little tendency to metastasize.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

A skin cancer that can invade the dermis and may metastasize if untreated.

Malignant Melanoma

A serious skin cancer arising from melanocytes that can metastasize and may be fatal if not detected early.

Mole

An aggregation of melanocytes that can sometimes develop into malignant melanoma.

Ultraviolet Radiation

Radiation from sunlight that stimulates melanin production but can damage DNA and increase skin-cancer risk.

UVA

Ultraviolet radiation that penetrates deeper into the skin and is associated with skin aging and melanoma.

UVB

Ultraviolet radiation is strongly associated with skin carcinomas and cellular damage.

Albinism

A genetic condition involving deficiency or absence of melanin production.

Melanin

A pigment produced by melanocytes that contributes to skin color and protects cells from ultraviolet radiation.

Melanocyte

A pigment-producing cell that produces melanin and transfers it to epithelial cells.

Melanosome

A vesicle within melanocytes that contains melanin and transfers it to epithelial cells.

Suntan

Increased skin pigmentation resulting from ultraviolet exposure that stimulates melanin production.

Stretch Marks

Visible lines produced when the dermis is damaged by rapid stretching of the skin.

Callus

A thickened area of skin caused by excessive friction and increased thickness of the stratum corneum.

Keratinization

The process in which epidermal cells accumulate keratin, die, and form a protective outer layer.

Keratin

A strong structural protein that makes the skin, hair, and nails more durable.

Stratum Basale

The deepest epidermal layer where mitotic division produces new epidermal cells.

Stratum Spinosum

The epidermal layer above the stratum basale where cells become more flattened and begin accumulating lipid-filled vesicles.

Stratum Granulosum

The epidermal layer where cells accumulate keratin and release substances from lamellar bodies.

Stratum Lucidum

A thin, clear epidermal layer found in thick skin between the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum.

Stratum Corneum

The outermost epidermal layer consists mainly of dead, keratin-filled cells that provide protection and reduce water loss.

Thick Skin

Skin containing all five epidermal layers and found mainly on the palms, soles, and fingertips.

Thin Skin

Skin that lacks the stratum lucidum and covers most of the body.

Dermis

The connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Collagen Fibers

Fibers in the dermis that provide strength and contribute to the formation of cleavage lines.

Cleavage Lines

Directions of tension in the skin produced by the orientation of collagen fibers.

Surgical Incision Along Cleavage Lines

An incision parallel to cleavage lines tends to gap less, heal faster, and produce less scarring.

Surgical Incision Across Cleavage Lines

An incision across cleavage lines is more likely to gap and produce greater scar formation.

Dermal Papillae

Projections of the upper dermis that contain blood vessels and contribute to friction-ridge formation.

Friction Ridges

Patterns formed by dermal papillae that improve grip and produce fingerprints and footprints.

Burn

An injury to tissue caused by heat, cold, friction, chemicals, electricity, or radiation.

Partial-Thickness Burn

A burn in which part of the stratum basale remains viable, allowing the epidermis to regenerate.

Full-Thickness Burn

A severe burn that destroys the entire epidermis and dermis, often extending into deeper tissues. It may cause little or no pain because nerve endings are destroyed and commonly require skin grafting.

First-Degree Burn

A burn involving only the epidermis that causes redness and pain and generally heals without scarring.

Second-Degree Burn (Epidermis & Dermis)

A burn involving the epidermis and dermis that may produce redness, pain, edema, and blisters.

Second-Degree Burn (Deep Dermis)

A burn extending deeply into the dermis that may appear red, tan, or white and may produce scarring.

Third-Degree Burn

A severe burn involving destruction of the epidermis and dermis and potentially deeper tissues.

Burn Shock

A life-threatening complication of extensive burns caused by fluid loss, decreased blood volume, and decreased blood pressure.

Capillary Permeability in Burns

Increased permeability of damaged capillaries allows fluid to move from blood vessels into surrounding tissues.

Burn Edema

Swelling caused by fluid moving from damaged capillaries into surrounding tissue spaces.

Hypovolemia

A decrease in blood volume caused by excessive fluid loss.

Shock

A dangerous condition in which inadequate blood flow prevents tissues from receiving sufficient oxygen and nutrients.

Burn-Related Fluid Loss

Loss of fluid through damaged skin and increased evaporation that can decrease blood volume.

Burn Hypermetabolism

A state after severe burns in which the body's metabolic demands increase and additional nutrients are needed.

High-Protein, High-Calorie Diet

Nutritional support that provides energy and protein needed for tissue repair after severe burns.

Aseptic Environment

A controlled environment used to reduce microorganisms entering severely damaged skin.

Antimicrobials

Agents used to kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth and reduce infection risk.

Debridement

Removal of dead or damaged tissue from a wound to promote healing.

Skin Graft

A procedure in which healthy skin is placed over a severely damaged area to help restore the protective barrier.

Burn Infection

An infection that can occur when destruction of the skin barrier allows microorganisms to enter tissues.

Venous Thrombosis

Formation of a blood clot within a vein that can block normal blood flow.

Integumentary System as a Diagnostic Aid

The skin can provide visible clues about conditions occurring elsewhere in the body.

Skin Color as a Clinical Sign

Changes in skin color can provide clues about circulation, oxygenation, liver function, and other conditions.

Pale Skin

A pale appearance that may result from reduced blood flow through the skin.

Redness

A reddish discoloration of the skin caused by increased blood flow, often occurring with inflammation, heat, or injury.

Nutritional Assessment Through Skin

The condition of the skin, hair, and nails can provide information about nutritional status.

Intradermal Injection

An injection delivered into the dermis, such as a tuberculin injection.

Subcutaneous Injection

An injection delivered into the adipose tissue beneath the skin, such as insulin.

Intramuscular Injection

An injection delivered into muscle tissue, allowing material to enter the blood faster than with subcutaneous injection.

Subcutaneous Tissue

Connective and adipose tissue beneath the dermis that attaches the skin to underlying structures and provides cushioning and insulation.

Body-Fat Estimation

Measurement of selected skin and subcutaneous tissue folds used to estimate body fat.

Eccrine Sweat Gland

A coiled tubular gland that produces watery sweat and plays an important role in cooling the body.

Apocrine Sweat Gland

A gland found mainly in the armpits and genital region that produces an organic secretion emptied into hair follicles.

Body Odor

An odor produced when bacteria break down organic secretions from apocrine glands.

Sebaceous Gland

A gland that produces sebum, which lubricates and protects the skin and hair.

Hair Follicle

An epidermal structure extending into the dermis from which hair develops.

Hair Bulb

The enlarged base of the hair root where hair cells are produced.

Hair Papilla

A dermal projection containing blood vessels that supplies the hair bulb.

Arrector Pili

Smooth muscles attached to hair follicles that contract and make hairs stand upright.

Nail Matrix

The epithelial region responsible for producing most of the nail.

Nail Bed

Epithelial tissue beneath the nail that supports the nail.

Protection

The integumentary system protects against water loss, microorganisms, abrasion, and ultraviolet radiation.

Sensation

Sensory receptors in the skin detect pain, heat, cold, touch, and pressure.

Vitamin D Production

Ultraviolet light stimulates formation of a vitamin D precursor in the skin, which is later processed by the liver and kidneys.

Active Vitamin D

The active form of vitamin D increases calcium absorption and supports normal bone and muscle function.

Temperature Regulation

The skin regulates body temperature through changes in blood flow and sweat production.

Vasodilation

Widening of skin blood vessels increases blood flow near the surface and promotes heat loss.

Vasoconstriction

Narrowing of skin blood vessels reduces blood flow and helps conserve body heat.

Sweating

Sweat cools the body when it evaporates from the skin surface.

Cold-Induced Vasoconstriction

Constriction of skin blood vessels during cold exposure reduces heat loss.

Excretion

The integumentary system contributes slightly to excretion through substances released in sweat.

Sweat as an Excretory Product

Sweat contains small amounts of water, salts, urea, uric acid, and ammonia.

Wound Healing

The process by which damaged tissue is repaired through inflammation, cell replacement, and connective tissue formation.

Scar Tissue

Fibrous connective tissue formed during healing, particularly when the dermis is damaged.

Skin Barrier

The protective function of the epidermis that limits water loss and prevents microorganisms from entering the body.

Inflammation

A protective response to tissue injury characterized by redness, warmth, swelling, and pain.

Edema

An abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissue spaces, often caused by increased capillary permeability.

Infection

The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms in tissues, with damaged skin increasing the risk.

Clinical Skin Assessment

Examination of skin color, texture, lesions, wounds, swelling, and other changes to identify abnormalities.

Ringworm

A fungal infection that produces patchy scaling and an inflammatory response in the skin.