Chapter 4 Medical Terminology

skin (integument)

acts as the first line of defense in protecting the body from disease by providing an external barrier

largest organ of the body

accessory structures of the skin

hair, nails, glands: sebaceous (oil) and sudoriferous

dermatology

study of the skin

a dermatologist is one who specializes in this area

epidermis

outermost layer of skin

dermis or corium (KORE ee um)

inner layer of the skin

hypodermis subcutaneous layer

(sub kyoo TAY nee us)

connective tissue of the skin mainly composed of fat (adipose tissue)

skin

derm/o

dermat/o

cut/o

cutane/o

hair

trich/o

pil/o

nail

onych/o

ungu/o

oil, sebum

seb/o

sebac/o

sweat

hidr/o

sudor/i

adip/o

fat

-is

structure

-ous

pertaining to

stratified squamous epithelium

(SWAY muss eh pih THEE lee um)

epithelial tissue that covers the body and has a microscopic scaly appearance

Avascular

contains no blood vessels

Basal / stratum germinativum

bottom layer of the epidermis where new skin cells are formed, Site where melanin is produced by cells

Melanocytes

cells that produce melanin

Stratum corneum

Top layer of the epidermis

Keratinocytes

Cells filled with keratin, which is a hard protein material. adds to the productive nature of the skin

dermis or corium

the thick, underlying layer of the skin that is composed of vascular connective tissue arranged in 2 layer

papillary layer

upper thin layer of the dermis composed of fibers made from protein and collagen that serve to regulate blood flow through its extensive vascular Supply

reticular layer

lower, thicker layer of the dermis, which is also composed of collagen fiber. This layer holds the hair follicles, sweat, and sebaceous glands

sebaceous glands

glands that produce oil, secrete and oily acidic substance called sebum

Sudoriferous glands / sweat glands

located in the dermis and provide one means of thermal regulation for the body secrete sweat through pores

Pores

tiny openings in the surface of the skin

Perspiration

secretion of sweat

Sebum

oily acidic substance which helps to lubricate hair and the surface of the skin. the acidic nature is key and inhibiting the growth of bacteria

Hair follicles

roots in the dermis together with their coverings

hair shaft

visible part of the hair follicle

Papilla

Located at the base of the hair follicle, a nipple shaped structure that encloses the capillaries

nail body / nail plate

visible part of the nail

nail root

a Groove under a small fold of skin at the base of the nail

nail bed

highly vascular tissue under the nail that appears pink when the blood is oxygenated or blue / purple when it is oxygen deficient

Lunula

Moon like white area at the base of the nail, Beyond which new growth occurs

Cuticle / eponychium

small fold of skin above the lower part of the nail

Paronychium

fold of skin that is near the sides of the nail

Scaly

squam/o

kerat/o

hard, horny

-in

substance

-cyte

cell

vascul/o, angi/o, vas/o

vessel

melan/o

black, dark

-ferous

Pertaining to carrying

follicul/o

Follicle

papill/o

papilla

-ium

structure

aden/o

gland

hidraden/o

Sudoriferous gland

bas/o

base, bottom

Skin lesion

 any visible, localized  abnormality of skin tissue

 primary lesion

early skin changes that have not yet undergone Natural Evolution or change caused by manipulation

 secondary lesions

 result of the Natural Evolution or manipulation of a primary lesion

 Cyst

 nodule filled with a semi-solid material such as a keratonous or sebaceous cyst

 cyst /o

sac, bladder

Ecchymosis

 Hemorrhage or extravasation (leaking) of blood into the subcutaneous tissue. The resultant darkening is commonly described as a bruise

Ec-

out

chym/o

juice

-osis

abnormal condition

hemat/o

blood

-oma

tumor, mass

Hematoma

 collection of extravasated blood trapped in the tissues and palpable to The Examiner, such as on the ear

 Macule

 flat blemish or discoloration less than 1 cm, such as a freckle, port wine stain, or tattoo

macul/o

spot

 Nodule

 palpable, solid lesion less than 2 cm, such as a very small lipoma

nod/o

 Knot

-ule

small

 Papule

 gray solid skin lesion raise less than 1 cm, such as a pimple

papul/o

pimple

 Patch

 large, flat, non palpable macule, larger than 1 cm

 Petechia

 tiny ecchymosis within the dermal layer

Plaque

Raised plateau-like papule greater than 1 cm, such as a psoriatic lesion or seborrheic keratosis 

Purpura

massive Hemorrhage into the tissues under the skin

purpur/o

purple

  Pustle

superficial, elevated lesion containing pus that may be the result of an infection, such as acne

pustul/o

Pustule

Telangiectasia

Permanent dilation of groups of superficial capillaries and venules. Telangiectases are also known as spider veins

tel/e

far

-ectasia

dilation

vesicul/o

Blister or small sac

tumor

nodule more than 2 cm, any mass or swelling, including neoplasms

Vesicle

circumscribed, elevated lesion containing fluid and smaller than 1/2 cm, such as an insect bite. If larger than 1/2 cm, it is termed a Bulla. commonly called a blister

Wheal

circumscribed, elevated papule caused by localized edema, which can result from a bug bite. Urticaria, or hives, results from an allergic reaction

troph/o

development

Atrophy

Paper thin, wasted skin often occurring in the age or a stretch marks (striae) from rapid weight gain 

-y

process, condition on

Cicatrix (pl.cicatrices)

A Scar  an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after destruction of some of the dermis

Eschar

Serum, blood, and/or  pus. may occur in inflammatory and infectious diseases, such as impetigo, or as the result of a burn. also called a scab

Eschar/o

scab

Fissure

crack like Legion of the skin, such as an anal fissureKeloid

Keloid

type of Scar that is an overgrowth of tissue at the site of injury and excess of the amount of tissue necessary to repair the wound. The extra tissue is partially due to an accumulation of collagen at the site

Ulcer

circumscribed cater-like lesion of the skin or mucous membrane resulting from necrosis or tissue death, that can accompany an inflammatory, infectious, or malignant process. An example is a decubitus ulcer sometimes seen in bedridden patients

Necrosis

tissue death

atopic dermatitis

Chronic, pruritic superficial inflammation of the skin usually associated with a family history of allergic disorders

top/o

Place, location

Cellulitis

diffuse, spreading acute inflammation within solid tissues the most common cause is a streptococcus pyogenes infection

cellul/o

cell

Contact dermatitis

irritated or allergic response of the skin that can lead to an acute or chronic inflammation

Eczema

superficial inflammation of the skin, characterized by vesicles, weeping, and pruritus. Also called dermatitis

Folliculitis

inflammation of the hair follicles, which may be superficial or deep and acute or chronic