Integumentary System Medical Terminology

Vocabulary flashcards covering combining forms, medical conditions, and diagnostic/surgical procedures for the integumentary system based on Medical Terminology Systems, 7th Edition.

cutane/o, derm/o, dermat/o

Skin

seb/o

Sebum, sebaceous

pil/o, trich/o

Hair

sudor/o, hidr/o

Sweat

cyan/o

Blue

erythem/o, erythemat/o, erythr/o

Red

myc/o

Fungus

melan/o

Black

adip/o, lip/o, steat/o

Fat

neur/o

Nerve

arteriol/o

Arteriole

ichthy/o

Dry, scaly

kerat/o

Horny tissue; hard; cornea

xer/o

Dry

scler/o

Hardening; sclera (white of eye)

Anhidrosis

Abnormal condition without sweat

Cryotherapy

Treatment with cold

Dermoid

Resembling skin

Subcutaneous

Pertaining to under the skin

Cyanosis

Abnormal condition of blue (skin)

Sudoresis

Condition of sweat

Onychomalacia

Softening of a nail

Leukocyte

White cell

Melanocyte

Specialized cell in the basal layer that produces melanin to protect the skin from damaging effects of the sun

Xeroderma

Skin that is dry

Homograft

Transplantation of tissue from the same species; also known as an allograft

Carcinoma

Tumor composed of cancer

Pyoderma

Skin condition associated with pus

Seborrhea

Discharge or flow of sebum

Ichthyosis

Abnormal condition of dry or scaly skin

Thermal

Pertaining to heat

Integument

Refers to the skin

Subcutaneous layer

Layer of tissue that binds the dermis to underlying structures, stores fats, insulates and cushions the body, and regulates temperature

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common type of skin cancer arising in the basal cell layer of the epidermis; slow-growing, destructive, invasive, and rarely metastasizes

Metastasis

The spread of cancer from one part of the body to another site

Abscess

Localized collection of pus at the infection site, characteristically caused by a staphylococcal infection

Furuncle

An abscess in a hair follicle and adjacent subcutaneous tissue; also known as a boil

Carbuncle

Several furuncles developing in adjoining hair follicles with multiple drainage sinuses

Erythema

Reddening of the skin

Psoriasis

Chronic, noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered by thick, dry, silvery, adherent scales

Hyperkeratosis

Overgrowth of the horny layer of the epidermis

Acne Vulgaris

Common inflammatory skin disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles, characterized by comedos, papules, and pustules

Comedos

Acne plugs appearing as open comedos (blackheads) or closed comedos (whiteheads)

Scabies

Contagious skin disease resulting from infestation by the itch mite, transmitted by direct skin-to-skin contact or prolonged contact with infected items

Impetigo

Common contagious, superficial skin infection marked by a fluid-filled blister that becomes pustular, ruptures, and forms a honey-colored, yellow crust

Alopecia

Absence or loss of hair, especially of the head; also known as baldness

Debridement

Removal of necrotized tissue from a traumatic or infected area by surgical excision, enzymes, or chemical agents to promote healing and prevent infection

Diaphoresis

Medical condition in which a person sweats excessively and unpredictably even when the temperature is cool or when at rest

Hirsutism

Excessive growth of hair in unusual places, especially in women, which may be due to hypersecretion of testosterone

Mohs surgery

Surgical procedure involving fixation of tumor tissue in place and layer-by-layer excision with microscopic examination until the entire tumor is removed

Xenograft

Transplantation of healthy tissue from another species (such as a pig); also known as a heterograft

Scratch (prick) skin test

Identification of suspected allergens via placement of a small quantity of the allergen on a lightly scratched area of the skin

Intradermal allergy skin test

Identification of suspected allergens via subcutaneous injection of small amounts of allergen extracts and observation of the skin for subsequent reaction

Biopsy

Tissue sample removed from the body for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis

Dermatome

Instrument to cut skin

Intradermal

Pertaining to within the skin

Dermatology

Study of skin