Chapter 4: Integumentary System - Signs, Symptoms, and Skin Lesions

Flashcards covering medical terms, signs, symptoms, and definitions of common skin lesions from Chapter 4 Integumentary System.

What is alopecia, and what is its etymological origin?

Alopecia is the loss of hair, with multiple types including androgenic, areata, and traction. It derives from the Greek word alopex, meaning fox.

What is a cyst?

A closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material, which can occur in the skin (cutaneous cyst) or in other locations within the body.

What is diaphoresis, and what word parts form the term?

Diaphoresis is excessive sweating caused by conditions such as disease, medication, or stress. It comes from the Greek dia (meaning through) and phoreo (meaning carry), translating to the carrying through of perspiration.

What is ecchymosis, and how does it differ from a contusion?

Ecchymosis is a large (greater than $1\,cm$), flat, blue-purple lesion caused by the escape of blood into deeper areas of the skin. Unlike a contusion (bruise), it can result from non-injury mechanisms like bleeding disorders, severe kidney disease, and leukemia.

What is edema?

Puffy swelling of tissue from the accumulation of fluid.

What is induration?

Abnormal hard spot(s) or area of skin, which may include underlying tissue.

What is jaundice?

A condition characterized by yellow coloring of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera (whites of the eyes) caused by the presence of bile; it is also called icterus.

What is a lesion?

Any visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease. It is a broad term that includes sores, wounds, ulcers, and tumors.

What is leukoplakia?

A condition characterized by white spots or patches on mucous membranes, which may be precancerous.

What is a macule, and what is an example of one?

A flat, colored spot on the skin. An example is a freckle.

What is a nevus?

A circumscribed malformation of the skin, usually brown, black, or flesh-colored. A congenital nevus is present at birth and referred to as a birthmark or mole.

What is a nodule, and what are some examples?

A small, knotlike mass that can be felt by touch. Examples include lipoma, metastatic carcinoma, and rheumatoid nodule.

What is pallor?

Paleness.

What is a papule, and what are some examples?

A small, solid skin elevation. Examples include skin tag and basal cell carcinoma.

How are petechiae defined, and what is the origin of the term?

Petechiae are tiny ($0.3\,cm$ or smaller), pinpoint, bright red lesions resulting from the escape of blood into the skin and mucous membranes. The term derives from the Italian petechio, meaning flea bite.

What is pruritus?

Itching.

What is purpura?

Small (between $0.3\,cm$ and $1\,cm$) reddish-purple lesions caused by the escape of blood into skin and mucous membranes.

What is a pustule, and what are examples of it?

An elevation of skin containing pus. Examples include impetigo and acne.

What is an ulcer?

Erosion of the skin or mucous membrane.

What is a verruca?

A circumscribed cutaneous elevation caused by a virus (also called a wart).

What is a vesicle, and what conditions are associated with it?

A small elevation of the epidermis containing liquid (also called a blister). Examples include herpes zoster (shingles), herpes simplex virus type 1, and contact dermatitis.

What is a wheal?

A transitory, itchy elevation of the skin with a white center and a red surrounding area. A wheal is an individual urticaria lesion (hive).

How do petechiae, purpura, and ecchymoses compare in size?

Petechiae are the smallest (up to $0.3\,cm$), purpura are intermediate (between $0.3\,cm$ and $1\,cm$), and ecchymoses are the largest (greater than $1\,cm$). All three are lesions caused by the escape of blood into the skin and mucous membranes.