Med Term Unit 2 (Chapter 4; Structure/Function; Disorders; Diagnostics tests)

adipose tissue

fatty tissue

arrector pili muscles

bundles of smooth muscle fibers attached to hair follicles that cause the hairs to stand on end causing characteristic “goose bumps” without blood vessels

avascular

without blood vessels

cutaneous

adjective referring to the skin

cuticle

the thin band of tissue that seals the nail to the skin

dermis

inner layer of skin

epidermis

outer layer of skin

free edge

distal region at which the nail ends (the portion you cut off when cutting your nails)

hair follicles

small sacs in the skin from which hair grows

hypodermis

layer immediately beneath the epidermis (lies), also called the subcutaneous layer

integumentary

the membrane covering the body including the epidermis, dermis, hair, skin, nails, glands

keratin

protein that forms hair/nails and the tough outer layer of skin

lunula

white shaped crescent near the bed of the nail

melanin

dark pigment present in skin and other parts of the body

melanocytes

cells that produce melanin

nail

translucent plates covering the distal ends of the gingers and toes

pore

an opening

sebaceous glands

oil producing glands

sebum

oily secretion

subcutaneous

beneath the skin

sudoriferous glands

sweat producing glands

abscess

localized collection of pus in any body part; frequently associated with swelling and inflammation

acne

inflammatory papular and pustular eruption of the skin

albinism

partial or total absence of pigment of hair/skin/nails

alopecia

partial or complete loss of hair/baldness

benign

nonmalignant type of tumor

bulla

raised, fluid-filled lesion greater than 1cm diameter

carcinoma

malignant neoplasm derived from epithelia cells

comedo

blackhead, dilated hair follicle filled with bacteria, primary lesion in acne

contact dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

cyanosis

abnormal condition signaled by bluish discoloration of tissue

cyst

closed sac or pouch in or under the skin that contains fluid or solid material

decubitus ulcers

chronic ulcers that appear in pressure areas over a bony prominence in immobilized patients

dermatomycosis

fungal infection of the skin

diaphoresis

synonym for perspiration

ecchymosis

a purple patch more than 3mm in diameter caused by blood under the skin, see also petechiae

eczema

inflammatory condition of the skin characterized by erythema (redness), vesicles and crusting with scales

epidermitis

inflammation of epidermis

erythematous

adjective form of erythema (superficial skin redness)

excoriation

scratch mark, linear break (caused most often from scratching) in the skin surface

fissure

a break in the skin

hemangioma

benign tumor of blood vessels; birthmark

herpes zoster

viral infection producing the eruption of painful vesicles that follow a nerve path, also called shingles

hyperhidrosis

profuse sweating; increase or excessive perspiration; may be caused by heat, menopause, or infection

ichthyosis

abnormally dry skin; scaly; resembling fish skin

impetigo

inflammatory skin disease with pustule that rupture and become crusted

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

lesions

wound, injury, pathologic change in body tissue

macule

flat, discolored area that is flush with the skin, birthmark or freckle

malignant

invasive and destructive growth

malignant melanoma

tumor of the melanocytes; skin cancer characterized by dark pigmented, irregular-shaped lesion; another name for melanoma

melanoma

tumor of the melanocytes; skin cancer characterized by dark pigmented, irregular-shaped lesion; another name for malignant melanoma

nevus

mole; pigmented skin blemish that is usually benign but may become cancerous

nodule

a small node or circumscribed swelling

onychomalacia

softening of the nails

onychopathy

any disease of the nails

papule

small, circumscribes solid elevation of the skin

paronychia

infection around a nail

petechiae

tiny hemorrhage spots on the skin les than 3 mm in diameter; see also ecchymosis

plaque

flat or slightly raised lesion greater than 1cm in diameter

prurigo

a chronic disease of the skin marked by a persistent eruption of papules that itch intensely

pruritic

relating to pruritus (itching)

pruritus

itching

psoriasis

chronic skin disease characterized by itchy, red, silvery scaled patches

pustule

small (up to 1cm in diameter) circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus

scabies

contagious infection caused by a mite

shingles

viral infection producing the eruption of highly painful vesicles that may follow a nerve path; another name for herpes zoster

systemic lupus erythematosus

inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by scaly red patches on the skin, especially the face, and affecting connective tissue in organs

tinea

any fungal infection of the skin (tinea barbae=beard; tinea capitis=head; tinea pedis=athlete’s foot)

ulcer

an open sore or lesion of the ski; a lesion through the skin or a mucous membrane resulting from loss of tissue

urticaria

hives; allergic reaction of the skin characterized by eruption of pale red elevated patches

verruca

wart, caused by a virus

vesicle

small, fluid filled raised lesion; a blister

vitiligo

localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk white patches

wheal

smooth, rounded, slightly elevated area often associated with itching

antibiotics

medicines that kill bacteria

antifungals

medicines that kill fungi

anti-inflammatory

medicine that reduces inflammation

antipruritics

medicines that reduce itching

antipyretics

medicines that reduce fever

antiseptics

medicines that inhibit the growth of infectious agents

biopsy

process of removing tissue for diagnostic examination

cryosurgery

an operation using freezing temperature to destroy tissue

cryotherapy

the use of cold in the treatment of a disease

debridement

removal of necrotic or dead tissue form a wound or burn

dermatoplasty

surgical repair of skin using grafts

incision and drainage

cutting open of a wound or lesion, such as an abscess, and letting or draining the contents such as pus

onychectomy

surgical removal of a nail

onychotomy

incision into a nail

scabicides

medicines lethal to mites

transdermal

a method of administering medication through the unbroken skin via patch or topical ointment

dermatologist

physician who specializes in dermatology

dermatology

study of the skin and diseases of the skin

corium

synonym for dermis, typically used in zoology

erythema

superficial skin redness

polyp

a mass of tissue that bulges outward from the skin’s surface on a stem or stalk of mucous membrane

scleroderma

chronic disease characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin