Med Term 12

integumentary system

made up of skin and its related structures; performs important functions in maintaining the health of the body

skin

forms the protective outer layer covering the external surfaces of the entire body

sebaceous glands

secrete sebum (oil) that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria on the skin

sweat glands

help regulate body temperature and water content by secreting sweat

hair

helps control the loss of body heat

nails

protect the dorsal surface of the last bone of each toe and finger

epidermis

the outermost layer of the skin

cutaneous

pertaining to the skin

epithelial tissues

form a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body

squamous epithelial tissue

forms the upper layer of the epidermis

basal layer

lowest layer of the epidermis

keratin

a fibrous, water-repellent protein

melanocytes

special cells that are also found in the basal cell layer

melanin

pigment that determines the color of hair and skin, which depends upon the type and amount of this pigment that is present

dermis

thick layer of living tissue directly between the epidermis

sensory nerve endings

In the dermis, are the sensory receptors for stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure

collagen

means glue, is a tough yet flexible fibrous protein material found in the skin and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

mast cells

found in the connective tissue of the dermis; respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances

Heparin

an anticoagulant released in response to an injury

Histamine

released in response to allergens, causes the signs of an allergic response, including itching and increased mucus secretion

subcutaneous layer

located just below the layers of the skin and connects the skin to the surface muscles

adipose tissue

fat; body fat

lipocytes

fat cells, predominant in subcutaneous layer where they manufacture and store large quantities of fat

sebaceous glands

located in the dermis layer of the skin and are closely associated with hair follicles

sebum

oily substance that is released through ducts opening into the hair follicles

sweat glands(sudoriferous glands)

tiny, coiled glands found on almost all body surfaces

pores

opening on the surface of the skin that act as the ducts of the sweat glands

perspiration

sweat, secreted by sweat glands and is made up of 99% water plus some salt and metabolic waste products

Hidrosis

the production and excretion of perspiration

mammary glands

modified sweat glands that produce milk

hair

rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin

hair follicles

sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers

arrector pili

tiny muscle fibers attached to the hair follicles that cause the hair to stand erect

unguis

fingernail or toenail; the keratin plate protecting the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe

lunala

pale half-moon-shaped region at every nail root

cuticle

a narrow band of epidermis attached to the surface of the nail just in front of the root, protecting the new keratin cells as they form

nail root

fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

plastic surgeon

a physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures

acne vulgaris

acne, chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum around the hair shaft

comedo

a noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle

epidermoid cyst

Sebaceous cyst, closed sac found just under the skin

seborrhea

overactivity of the sebaceous glands that results in the production of an excessive amount of sebum

seborrheic dermatitis

an inflammation sometimes resulting from seborrhea that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp

seborrheic keratosis

a benign skin growth that has a waxy or "pasted on" look

anhidrosis

the abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

heat rash

an intensely itchy rash caused by blockage of the sweat glands by bacteria and dead cells

hyperhidrosis

a condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body

sleep hyperhidrosis

night sweats, occurrence of hyperhidrosis during sleep

Folliculitis

inflammation of the hair follicles

trichomycosis axillaris

superficial bacterial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands, such as the armpits

hirsutism

the presence of excessive body and facial hair in women, usually occurring in a male pattern

alopecia

baldness, the partial or complete loss of hair

alopecia areata

an autoimmune disorder that attacks the hair follicles, causing well-defined bald areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body

alopecia totalis

an uncommon condition characterized by the loss of all the hair on the scalp

alopecia universalis

the total loss of hair on all parts of the body

androgenic alopecia

the most common type of hair loss

clubbing

abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by enlargement of the fingertips

Koilonychia

spoon nail; malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon

onychia

inflammation of the bed of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail

ohychocryptosis

ingrown toenail; edges of toenail curve inward and cut into the skin

onychomycosis

fungal infection of the nail

paronychia

an acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail

Acanthosis nigricans

a condition where one or more areas of the skin develop dark, wart-like patches

age spots

discolorations caused by sun exposure

albinism

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

chloasma

a pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face

vitiligo

a skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes

contusion

an injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin and is characterized by discoloration and pain

ecchymosis

a bruise, a large, irregular area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin.

purpura

the appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin

petechlae

very small, pinpoint hemorrhages that are less than 2 mm in diameter

hematoma

a swelling of clotted blood trapped in the tissues

lesion

a pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury

crust

a collection of dried serum and cellular debris

erosion

the wearing away of a surface

macule

a discolored, flat spot that is less than 1 cm in diameter

nodule

a solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule

papule

a small, raised red lesion that is less than 0.5 cm in diameter and does not contain pus

plaque

a scaly, solid raised area of closely spaced papules

scales

flakes or dry patches made up of excess dead epidermal cells

Verrucae

warts; small, hard skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus

wheal

welt; small bump that itches

abscess

a closed pocket containing pus that is caused by a bacterial infection

purulent

producing or containing pus

Exudate

fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound

cyst

abnormal sac containing gas, fluid, or a semisolid material

pustule

pimple, small circumscribed lesion containing pus

vesicle

a small blister, less than 0.5 cm in diameter, containing watery fluid

bulla

a large blister that is usually more than 0.5 cm in diameter

Abrasion

an injury in which superficial layers of skin are scraped or rubbed away

fissure

a groove or crack-like break in the skin

laceration

a torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut wound

pressure sore

an open ulcerated wound that is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of skin

needlestick injury

an accidental puncture wound caused by a used hypodermic needle, potentially transmitting an infection

ulcer

an open lesion of the skin or mucous membrane resulting in tissue loss around the edges

pigmented birthmarks

nevi(moles), cafe-au-lait spots and other irregularities in skin color

vascular birthmarks

caused by blood vessels close to the skin's surface

capillary hemangioma

a soft, raised, pink, or red vascular birthmark