Integumentary System Assessment Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, physiology, clinical findings, examination techniques, and pathological conditions of the integumentary system based on lecture notes.

Epidermis

The thin, outermost layer of skin that lacks a blood supply; it serves as a protective barrier against water loss and replaces its cells every 30 days.

Dermis

Highly vascular connective tissue layer beneath the epidermis whose blood vessels dilate and constrict in response to hot and cold temperatures to regulate body temperature.

Subcutaneous layer

The innermost layer of skin composed of connective tissue and fat cells that serves as an anchor for the epidermis and dermis.

Eccrine sweat glands

The most widespread sweat glands that regulate body temperature through water secretion, found in highest concentration on the palms, soles, and forehead.

Apocrine sweat glands

Large, deep sweat glands located in the axillae, nipples, areolae, anogenital area, eyelids, and external ears that activate at puberty and produce fluid that causes body odor upon bacterial breakdown.

Sebaceous glands

Glands stimulated by sex hormones that secrete a lipid-rich substance called sebum to keep skin and hair lubricated, located everywhere except the palms and soles.

Vellus hair

Fine, short, pale hair that covers most of the body.

Terminal hair

Longer, coarser, thicker hair found on the scalp, eyebrows, axillae, pubic area, and face.

Cyanosis

A grayish-blue discoloration of the skin, nailbeds, lips, palms, soles, and mucous membranes caused by inadequate oxygenation.

Jaundice

A yellowish skin discoloration visible in the sclera of the eyes, fingernails, palms, and oral mucosa caused by bilirubin accumulation.

Pallor

An unnatural pale skin color that may appear white, often due to reduced blood flow or hemoglobin.

Petechiae

Small, reddish-purple pinpoint vascular spots on the skin caused by minor capillary bleeding.

Ecchymosis

A reddish-purple discoloration of the skin caused by bleeding beneath the tissue, commonly known as a bruise.

Erythema

Intense redness of the skin caused by hyperemia or superficial blood vessel engorgement.

Diaphoresis

Profuse or excessive perspiration.

Skin turgor

The elasticity of the skin, evaluated by pinching skin on the forearm or below the clavicle to measure how quickly it returns to position.

Alopecia

Partial or total loss of hair, or unexpected bald spots on the scalp and body.

Hirsutism

Excessive growth of body or facial hair in women in a male-pattern distribution.

Pediculosis

Infestation of the hair and scalp with lice or related parasites.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail plate causing nails to become thickened, yellow, and brittle.

Paronychia

Infection of the skin surrounding the cuticle of a nail, commonly caused by staphylococcus, streptococcus, or Candida.

Ingrown toenail

A condition in which the lateral edge of the nail grows into the surrounding skin fold, most frequently occurring in the great toe.

Clubbing

Enlargement of the fingertips with a nailbed angle greater than 180 degrees and underlying sponginess, associated with chronic hypoxia.

Capillary refill test

A rapid assessment of peripheral blood flow performed by blanching the nailbed or skin and counting the seconds required for original color to return.

ABCDE mnemonic

A guide for evaluating skin lesions for melanoma: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter over 1/4 inch, and Evolution over time.

Primary skin lesions

Initial physical changes in the skin that develop directly on previously healthy tissue.

Secondary skin lesions

Skin changes resulting from the evolution, trauma, infection, or healing of a primary skin lesion.

Telangiectasia

A fine, irregular red line on the skin caused by permanent dilation of a cluster of superficial blood vessels.

Cherry angioma

A small, slightly raised, bright red vascular spot typically seen on the trunk, neck, and face.

Annular lesion

A circular skin lesion featuring central clearing, characteristic of ringworm (tinea corporis).

Iris lesion

A target-like lesion characterized by a pink macule with a purple concentric ring, seen in erythema multiforme.

Zosteriform pattern

A linear arrangement of skin lesions distributed along a sensory nerve pathway, typical of herpes zoster.

Confluent pattern

A distribution where individual skin lesions merge and run together over large areas, as seen in pityriasis rosea.

Herpes zoster

A viral infection (shingles) caused by the varicella-zoster virus that manifests as painful, fluid-filled blisters in a zosteriform pattern.

Coining

An alternative therapy practice involving symmetrical rubbing of the skin with a coin, resulting in skin bruising.

Cupping

An alternative therapy technique using heated glass cups placed on the skin to produce red, circular suction marks.

Basal cell carcinoma

The most common form of skin cancer; locally invasive and rarely metastasizing, presenting as nodular pigmented lesions with a depressed center and rolled borders.

Squamous cell carcinoma

A skin cancer that begins as a firm red nodule or flat scaly patch with a crust, capable of spreading if left untreated.

Malignant melanoma

The most serious skin cancer caused by malignant proliferation of melanocytes, presenting with irregular shapes and variable coloration.

Kaposi's sarcoma

A malignant skin cancer arising in the connective tissue of immunosuppressed patients, marked by dark blue-purple macules, papules, nodules, and plaques.