Ch 4. Integumentary System Vocabulary Flashcards

These flashcards provide definitions for key terms related to the integumentary system, aiding in understanding and retention of vocabulary essential for the subject.

Integumentary System

The system comprising the skin and its associated glands, hair, and nails.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, consisting of four to five layers of epithelial cells.

Dermis

The layer of skin beneath the epidermis, containing connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels.

Subcutaneous Tissue

The layer beneath the dermis, consisting mostly of fat and connective tissue.

Keratin

A protein that thickens and toughens the skin and is a major component of hair and nails.

Melanin

A dark pigment responsible for giving color to the skin, hair, and eyes, providing protection against UV radiation.

Sebaceous Glands

Glands in the skin that secrete sebum to lubricate hair and skin.

Sudoriferous Glands

Sweat glands that help regulate body temperature through perspiration.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail.

Melanoma

A type of skin cancer that originates from melanocytes and has a high potential for metastasis.

Psoriasis

A chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells forming scales and red patches.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin, often resulting in redness and itching; includes forms like atopic and contact dermatitis.

Pressure Ulcer

A sore from prolonged pressure on the skin, commonly occurring over bony areas.

Rule of Nines

A method to estimate the total body surface area affected by burns utilizing percentages.

Vacuum-Assisted Closure

A wound treatment method that uses negative pressure to promote healing.

Debridement

The process of removing dead or damaged tissue to enhance healing.

Dermatology

The branch of medicine dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders.

Exudate

Fluid emitted from a wound or tissue, which may contain blood, pus, or other substances.

Scleroderma

A chronic autoimmune disease causing thickening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.

Kaposi Sarcoma

A type of cancer that often appears as red or purple lesions on the skin, associated with immunosuppression.

What are the five layers of the skin?

The five layers of the skin are the stratum corneum, stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale.

Stratum corneum

The outermost layer of the epidermis, consisting of dead, flattened skin cells that provide a protective barrier. Gives color so skin/protects against sunlight.

Stratum lucidum

A thin, translucent layer of the skin found only in thick skin areas like palms and soles, providing additional protection.

Stratum granulosum

A layer of the epidermis where keratinocytes begin to undergo apoptosis, accumulating keratohyalin and creating a waterproof barrier.

Stratum spinosum

The layer of the epidermis between the stratum granulosum and stratum basale, characterized by spiny projections and the presence of desmosomes, providing strength and flexibility to the skin.

Stratum basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis where keratinocytes are generated, contributing to skin regeneration and containing melanocytes, which produce melanin.

Sudoriferous glands (sweat glands)

Exocrine glands in the skin that produce sweat, helping to regulate body temperature and maintain homeostasis.

Sebaceous glands

Exocrine glands in the skin that secrete sebum (oily fluid), which lubricates and waterproofs the skin and hair.

roots pertaining to skin

derm/o, dermat/o

skin

kerat/o

keratin, horny layer of the skin

melan/o

dark, black, melanin

hidr/o

sweat, perspiration

seb/o

sebum, sebaceous gland

trich/o

hair

onych/o

nail

Burn categorization

refers to the classification of burns based on the severity of tissue damage, such as first-degree, second-degree, and third-degree burns.

first degree burn (superficial)

a mild burn that affects only the outer layer of skin, causing redness, swelling, and pain.

second degree burn (superficial partial thickness)

a burn that affects both the outer layer and underlying layer of skin, resulting in blisters, swelling, and severe pain.

third degree (deep partial thickness)

burn that extends through all layers of skin (epidermis and dermis), causing white or charred skin, numbness, and potential damage to underlying tissues.

fourth (full thickness)

degree burn that affects all layers of the skin and may also damage muscles, bones, and tendons, resulting in a leathery appearance and painless sensation due to nerve damage.

Lund and Browder method

a clinical tool used to assess the percentage of body surface area burned in patients, factoring in the patient's age and growth stage.

rule of nines

a method for estimating the total body surface area burned, dividing the body into sections, each accounting for approximately nine percent.

Dermatitis

inflammation of the skin that results in redness, swelling, and often itching. It can be caused by various factors, including allergies, irritants, and genetic predisposition.

Ex. Atopic dermatitis (eczema)

other forms: contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and statis dermatitis

psoriasis

chronic growth of epidermis/ a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by rapid skin cell proliferation, leading to thick, red, scaly patches on the skin.

treatments:

• topical agents (corticosteroids, vitamins A and D, etc)

• exposure to UV light

• systemic suppression of immune system

autoimmune disorders: pemphigus

a group of rare autoimmune diseases that cause blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, resulting from the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues.

lupus erythematosus

a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation and damage to various body tissues, including the skin, joints, and internal organs.

scleroderma

a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by the hardening and tightening of skin and connective tissues, affecting internal organs and blood vessels.

skin cancer

a group of diseases involving the uncontrolled growth of skin cells, often triggered by excessive sun exposure or genetic factors.

common types:

• squamous cell carcinoma

• basal cell carcinoma

• melanoma

• kaposi sarcoma

squamous cell carcinoma

a type of skin cancer arising from squamous epithelial cells, often appearing as a firm red nodule, a scaly patch, or a sore that heals poorly.

basal cell carcinoma

a type of skin cancer originating from basal cells in the epidermis, characterized by pearly or waxy bumps and often found on sun-exposed areas of the skin.

melanoma

the most serious type of skin cancer, developing from melanocytes, characterized by dark growths or moles that may change in color, size, or shape.

kaposi sarcoma

a type of cancer that causes lesions on the skin, commonly associated with immunocompromised states, particularly HIV/AIDS.

key terms disorders:

aropic dermatitis

Hereditary, allergic, chronic inflammation of the skin with pruritus (itching); eczema

cicatrization

The process of scar formation; a scar is a cicatrix

debridement

Removal of dead or damaged tissue, as from a wound

dehiscence

Splitting or bursting, as when the layers of a wound separate Inflammation of the skin, often associated with redness and itching; may be caused by allergy, irritants (contact dermatitis), or a variety of diseases

dermatology

Study of the skin and diseases of the skin

dermatome

Instrument for cutting thin sections of skin for skin grafting

eczema

A general term for an inflammation of the skin with redness, lesions, and itching; atopic dermatitis

erythema

Diffuse redness of the skin

escharotomy

Removal of scab tissue (eschar) resulting from burns or other skin injuries

evisceration

Protrusion of internal organs (viscera) through an opening, as through a wound

exudate

Protrusion of internal organs (viscera) through an opening, as through a wound

keloid

A raised, thickened scar caused by tissue overgrowth during scar formation

pressure ulcer

An ulcer caused by pressure to an area of the body, as from a bed or chair; decubitus ulcer, bedsore, pressure sore

pruritus

Severe itching

acne

An inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles usually associated with excess secretion of sebum; acne vulgaris

actinic

Pertaining to the effects of radiant energy, such as sunlight, ultraviolet light, and xrays

albinism

A hereditary lack of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes

alopecia

Absence or loss of hair; baldness

Baeu lines

White lines across the fingernails; usually a sign of systemic disease or injury

bromohidrosis

Sweat that has a foul odor because of bacterial decomposition; also called bromidrosis bromhidrosis

carbuncle

A localized infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, usually caused by staphylococcus, and associated with pain and discharge of pus

comedo

A plug of sebum, often containing bacteria, in a hair follicle; a blackhead (plural: comedones)

dermatophytosis

Fungal infection of the skin, especially between the toes; athlete's foot (root: phyt/o means “plant”)

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

dykeratosis

Any abnormality in keratin formation in epithelial cells

ecchymosis

A collection of blood under the skin caused by leakage from small vessels

erysipelas

An acute infectious disease of the skin with localized redness and swelling and systemic symptoms

erythema nodosum

Inflammation of subcutaneous tissues resulting in tender, erythematous nodules; may be an abnormal immune response to a systemic disease, an infection, or a drug

ichthyosis

A dry, scaly condition of the skin (from the root ichthy/o, meaning “fish”)

impetigo

A bacterial skin infection with pustules that rupture and form crusts; most commonly seen in children, usually on the face

keratosis

Any skin condition marked by thickened or horny growth. Seborrheic keratosis is a benign tumor, yellow or light brown in color, that appears in the elderly. Actinic keratosis is caused by exposure to sunlight and may lead to squamous cell carcinoma

lichenification

Thickened marks caused by chronic rubbing, as seen in atopic dermatitis (a lichen is a flat, branching type of plant that grows on rocks and bark)

mycosis fungoides

A rare malignant disease that originates in the skin and involves the internal organs and lymph nodes. There are large, painful, ulcerating tumors

nevus

A defined discoloration of the skin; a congenital vascular tumor of the skin; a mole, birthmark

paronychia

Infection around a nail. Caused by bacteria or fungi, and may affect multiple nails

pediculosis

infestation with lice

petechiae

Flat, pinpoint, purplish red spots caused by bleeding within the skin or mucous membrane (singular, petechia)

photosensitization

Sensitization of the skin to light, usually from the action of drugs, plant products, or other substances

purpura

A condition characterized by hemorrhages into the skin and other tissues that appear as purple discolorations.

rosacea

A condition of unknown cause involving redness of the skin, pustules, and overactivity of sebaceous glands, mainly on the face

scabies

A highly contagious skin disease caused by a mite

senile lentigines

Brown macules that appear on sun-exposed skin in adults; liver spots

shingles

An acute eruption of vesicles along the path of a nerve; herpes zoster (HER-peze ZOS-ter); caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox

tinea

A fungal infection of the skin; ringworm

tinea verscolor

Superficial chronic fungal infection that causes varied pigmentation of the skin

urticaria

A skin reaction marked by temporary, smooth, raised areas (wheals) associated with itching; hives