Chapter 4 Terms

acne

Inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces pimples on the skin

albinism

An inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair.

allergy skin test

Skin test used to identify allergies.

alopecia

Hair loss that results from genetics, normal aging, illness, or drugs used to treat certain diseases.

anesthetic

Drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain.

antibiotic

Drug used to fight off or prevent infection.

antifungal

Drug used to fight off fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and ringworm.

antipruritic

Drug used to inhibit itching. Itching is a symptom associated with many skin disorders.

antiviral

Drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes.

arrector pili

Bundles of very small muscle fibers attached

to the hair follicles.

autograft

Surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another part of the same body.

basal cell carcinoma

Commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis; seldom metastasizes (spreads to other sites in the body)

basal layer

makes up the deepest layer of the epidermis, constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface

biologic

Drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques. Biologics work like parts of the immune system. They can disrupt the autoimmune response that occurs in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination.

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid; also known as a lid lift

burns

Injuries to skin tissue caused by prolonged heat contact.

cauterization

Destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current.

chemical peel

The use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin; common treatment for acne and wrinkle removal.

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

collagen

a fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

corticosteroid

Drug used to treat skin conditions linked to autoimmune diseases, such as vasculitis, and inflammatory diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.

cryosurgery

Destruction of abnormal tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen; common treatment for warts

curettage

Removal of tissue by scraping the surface; a common treatment for removal of basal cell tumors.

cuticle

is a narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail, at the base and sides of the nail plate.

cyanosis

The appearance of a blue or purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to insufficient blood oxygen or poor circulation. Many circulatory and respiratory conditions produce cyanosis.

cyst

A closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material that develops in a cavity or other structure of the body

debridement

Removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing; common treatment for bedsores and burns

dermabrasion

The use of abrasive materials, such as brushes and sandpaper, to remove layers of skin. Most often used to improve the appearance of acne scars and fine lines around the mouth.

dermatologist

a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails.

dermatology technician

a specialized medical assistant who works in the skin-care field.

dermatoplasty

Replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body; skin graft.

dermis

also called the corium, lies directly below the epidermis.

ecchymosis

Black-and-blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin.

eczema

Acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema or swelling. Also called dermatitis. May occur alone or in conjunction with another disease.

epidermis

forms the outermost layer of the skin.

epithelial tissue

Composed of densely packed cells. These tissues cover the surface of the body and also line internal organs and cavities.

excisional biopsy

Surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor.

exfoliative cytology

Biopsy procedure in which living tissue is scraped so it can be analyzed microscopically for bacteria. The tissue may also be placed in a growth medium to check for fungal infection.

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions; erythema, or redness; hyperesthesia, or increased sensitivity, especially to touch; and no blisters.

fissure

A groove or crack, as in a sore

gangrene

Necrosis or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection

gland

is a cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select substances within or out of the body.

hair follicles

are tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows.

hair shaft

Melanocytes surround the core of each _

immunosuppressant

Drug used to treat certain conditions (such as psoriasis and eczema) by suppressing the immune system.

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fluid- filled sacs); pustules (small, pus-filled blisters); and crusted-over lesions.

incision and drainage (I&D)

Procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fluid or an abscess. Commonly used on certain types of lesions.

incisional biopsy

Incision (cut) into the tissue for removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination.

integumentary system

The __ system serves several important functions in the human body, these functions include protection, the maintenance of body temperature, excretion, and the perception of stimuli.

intradermal skin test

Skin test in which different substances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Malignant cancer that causes erythematous (red) or purplish patches in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs and tissues; a disease often seen in AIDS patients.

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar

keratin

a fibrous, water-repellent protein.

laser therapy

The use of laser light waves to treat skin conditions. The wavelength and power of the light beam are determined by the number of tissue layers being treated. Commonly used to remove discolorations of the skin, including birthmarks, tattoos, and lesions.

lesions, cancerous

An area of malignant (cancerous) tissue.

lipectomy

Surgical removal of fat below the skin.

lipids

group of organic compounds that consist of fat, are greasy to the touch, and are insoluble (incapable of dissolving in water)

lipocytes

cells that manufacture and store fat

liposuction

Use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin.

lunula

is the semilunar (half-moon-shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail. The lunula is generally most prominent in the thumbnail

macule

A small, flat, discolored (brownish or red) lesion on the skin; freckle

malignant melanoma

Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes; begins as an irregularly shaped macule (fl at, discolored area of skin) and then changes color and texture. Classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration.

melanin

cells contain and produce dark brown-to-black pigments

melanocytes

Special cells called __ are also found in the epidermis and produce melanin

Mohs surgery

Surgical method of treating skin cancer. Thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined under a microscope. The process continues until there is no evidence of the tumor.

mucous membrane

protectively lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world

nail plate

the hard, translucent part of the nail.

nail root

the area of the dermis on which the nail rests

nails

made of hard keratin. __ cover the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger, and _ cover the superior surface of each toe

needle biopsy

Biopsy procedure in which a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample of tissue for microscopic examination.

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is flat or raised; mole

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous

oral drugs

drugs given by mouth.

papule

A solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than one centimeter; pimple

perspiration

The sweat, or __, secreted by the sweat glands contains 99 percent water and 1 percent salt and metabolic waste products.

petechia

Round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage (bleeding into the skin).

polyp

A small, mushroom-like growth, typically benign, that extends from the surface of a mucous membrane

psoriasis

A chronic disease marked by itchy, erythematous skin with silvery patches

punch biopsy

A biopsy done with a small, circular blade that rotates down through the epidermis and dermis and into the subcutaneous layer, producing a cylindrical core of tissue

purpura

A purple or brownish-red rash in which blood leaks from vessels into the skin or mucous membranes.

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; absces

rhytidectomy

Elimination of wrinkles through surgical removal of skin on the face; facelift

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus, or itching.

scleroderma

A chronic, progressive disease of the skin marked by hardening and shrinking of connective tissue, which causes edema or pain in the muscles or joints.

sclerotherapy

Injection of a sclerosing medical solution, such as saline, into varicose veins or spider veins (small varicose veins).

scratch test

Skin test in which the forearm is scratched with tiny needles (lancets) and a variety of substances are applied to the skin to identify allergies.

sebaceous glands

are tiny glands in the skin that secrete sebum

sebum

an oily substance, into the hair follicles, lubricates hair and skin

second-degree burn

Skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia

squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis. This tumor may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells (for example, the mouth, lungs, or cervix).

stratified squamous epithelium

The upper layer of the epidermis consists of the __. The term stratified means “arranged in strata, or layers.” The word squamous means “scaly.” The flat, scaly cells of the stratified squamous epithelium are continuously sloughed (SLUFT) off, or shed, and replaced by new cells beneath them

subcutaneous layer

or hypodermis, is the deepest layer of the skin.

sweat glands

are tiny, coiled glands located in the dermis. They are found on almost all exterior body surfaces, terminate tiny openings called pores

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease, one in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues.

third-degree burn

Skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed; this type of burn produces severe hyperesthesia or anesthesia (numbness), depending on the degree of nerve damage

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

topical drugs

applied directly to the area of concern and are intended to affect only that area.

transdermal drugs

travel through the skin and into the bloodstream.

ulcer

An open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane