IBEC Anatomy, Physiology, Infection Prevention, and Laser/Electrology Review

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering dermatology, hair and skin anatomy, endocrinology, electrolysis modalities, laser physics, and clinical infection control.

Bromhidrosis

The secretion of foul-smelling sweat caused by the bacterial breakdown of apocrine gland secretions.

Parathyroid Gland

A ductless endocrine gland whose primary function is to regulate calcium levels in the body.

Calcitonin

A hormone that decreases blood calcium levels by directing calcium from the bloodstream into the bones.

Thyroxine ($T_4$)

A hormone produced by the thyroid gland that primarily determines and maintains the body's basal metabolic rate.

Hirsutism

The growth of excess, coarse terminal hair in women in male-pattern distributions, commonly caused by pituitary hypersecretion, adrenal tumors, or ovarian tumors.

Superfluous Hair

Excess hair that is normal for a person's age and sex, but is considered unwanted or socially unacceptable.

Hair Density

The number of hairs present per square centimeter of skin surface.

Hair Depth

The physical measurement from the epidermal surface to the bottom of the hair bulb.

Terminal Hair

Deep, coarse, and usually pigmented hair that develops in response to androgens or from stimulation.

Vellus Hair

Fine, short, lightly pigmented hair commonly referred to as peach fuzz, originating in sebaceous glands.

Accelerated Vellus Hair

A vellus hair that has been stimulated to grow deeper, coarser, and more pigmented, which never naturally reverts to a vellus state.

Lanugo Hair

Fine, soft fetal hair present before or at birth that typically sheds shortly after delivery.

Intermediate Hair

Hair exhibiting characteristics midway between vellus and terminal hair in coarseness and texture.

Club Hair

A non-living hair that detaches from the lower portion of the hair follicle and begins forming during the catagen phase.

Tombstone

A remnant of a small anagen hair left unepilated in a treated follicle.

Pili Multigemini

A condition characterized by two or more hair shafts emerging from a single hair follicle.

Anagen Stage

The active growing phase of the hair cycle; follicles in body areas other than the scalp typically remain in this stage for $4\text{--}8\,\text{weeks}$.

Catagen Stage

The transitional stage of the hair growth cycle marking the end of active hair production.

Telogen Stage

The resting phase of hair growth during which laser hair removal is least effective.

Hair Matrix

The region at the base of the hair bulb containing active mitotic cells responsible for generating hair growth.

Hair Papilla

The vascular connective tissue structure at the base of the follicle that contains the blood supply nourishing the growing hair.

Inner Root Sheath

The internal structure of the follicle that serves as an anchor to hold the hair firmly in place.

Huxley's Layer

The thickest layer among the three subdivisions of the inner root sheath, situated between Henle's layer and the inner sheath cuticle.

Cortex

The intermediate layer of the hair shaft composed of elongated cells containing the hair's pigment and melanin.

Medulla

The innermost core of the hair shaft, consisting of loosely connected round cells.

Arrector Pili Muscle

An involuntary smooth muscle band attached to the follicle that contracts in response to cold or fear, causing the hair to stand erect.

Stratum Lucidum

A clear epidermal layer found directly beneath the stratum corneum that contains the translucent substance eleidin.

Stratum Spinosum

The epidermal layer composed of living prickle cells and containing immune-surveillance Langerhans cells.

Stratum Germinativum (Stratum Basale)

The basal epidermal layer responsible for the continuous growth of the epidermis, containing active melanocytes that produce melanin.

Papillary Layer

The superficial sublayer of the dermis composed of fine, loosely arranged collagen fibers that produces epidermal ridges responsible for fingerprints.

Reticular Layer

The deeper sublayer of the dermis composed of dense bundles of collagen and elastic fibers that provide skin elasticity and strength.

Subcutaneous Layer (Subcutis)

The layer situated directly below the dermis, composed primarily of fatty adipose tissue.

Fibroblasts

Specialized dermal cells responsible for synthesizing collagen fibers and forming fibrous connective tissue.

Mast Cells

Immune effector cells located within the dermis that participate in inflammatory and allergic responses.

Krause End Bulbs

Specialized sensory nerve endings in the skin responsible for detecting cold sensations.

Ruffini Corpuscles

Sensory nerve receptors located in the skin that detect heat sensations.

Meissner's Corpuscles

Mechanoreceptors located in the skin sensitive to light touch and regular tactile stimulation.

Pacinian Corpuscles

Sensory cutaneous receptors responsible for detecting deep pressure and mechanical vibration.

Acid Mantle

A protective, bacteria-killing film covering the epidermal surface composed of sweat, sebum, and lipids.

Asteatosis

A condition characterized by dry, scaly skin resulting from a deficiency or reduction of sebum secretion.

Acanthosis Nigricans

A skin disorder presenting as hyperpigmented, velvety, raised plaques within body folds, commonly linked to insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes.

Steatoma

A subcutaneous sebaceous cyst or retention tumor containing sebum.

Lentigo

A flat tan or brown pigmented macule resulting from sun exposure, commonly known as a freckle.

Chloasma

Irregularly shaped brownish hyperpigmented patches on the skin, often associated with pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or hormonal shifts.

Pseudofolliculitis Barbae

An inflammatory condition of the beard area characterized by papules, pustules, and ingrown hairs caused by curved hairs curving back into the skin.

Cicatrix

The technical medical term for a scar remaining after the healing of a wound or lesion.

Nikolsky Sign

Epidermal separation or blistering induced by light lateral rubbing pressure, indicating overtreatment or severe dermal damage.

Dimpling

A slight epidermal depression resulting from improper needle insertion angle, excessive mechanical pressure, or using an overly long needle during electrolysis.

Blanching

Whitening of the epidermis during electrolysis caused by overtreatment and an excessively shallow needle insertion.

Cataphoresis

The post-treatment use of the positive pole (anode) to generate an acid effect, soothe irritated skin, close follicles, reduce erythema, and re-establish normal acidic skin pH.

Anaphoresis

The application of the negative pole (cathode) to create an alkaline reaction, soften tissues, stimulate blood supply, and irritate nerve endings.

Asepsis

The state of being entirely free of pathogenic and disease-producing microorganisms.

Endospore

A resilient, thick-walled protective structure produced by certain bacteria to withstand unfavorable conditions such as heat, drying, and disinfectants.

Bacilli

Short, rod-shaped bacteria responsible for clinical conditions such as tetanus and tuberculosis.

Spirilla

Curved or corkscrew-shaped bacterial organisms that exhibit high motility.

Staphylococci

Pus-forming spherical bacteria that arrange in clusters, typically found in boils, abscesses, and pustules.

Streptococci

Pus-forming spherical bacteria that arrange and grow in extended chains.

Herpes Zoster

An acute viral infection marked by unilateral clusters of painful vesicular eruptions, commonly referred to as shingles.

Selective Photothermolysis

The principle of matching a specific laser wavelength, pulse duration, and fluence to selectively damage a designated target without injuring adjacent tissues.

Photoablation

The complete destruction and removal of tissue utilizing concentrated laser radiation.

Fluence

The radiant energy delivered per unit area of tissue, quantified in units of $\text{Joules/cm}^2$.

Metastable State

An intermediate, prolonged excited energy state of an active laser medium necessary to generate stimulated emission of laser light.

Laser Safety Officer (LSO)

The designated clinical personnel responsible for overseeing laser safety protocols and administrative duties outlined in ANSI Z136.3.

Chapter 478

The designated Florida statute known as the Electrology Practice Act.