Medical Terminology: Chapter 3 - The Integumentary System

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Chapter 3 abbreviations, word parts (combining forms, prefixes, and suffixes), anatomical structures, pathological skin lesions and conditions, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, and therapeutic drug treatments of the integumentary system.

BP

blood pressure

Bx, bx

biopsy

CA

cancer

cm

centimeter(s)

CV

cardiovascular

GI

gastrointestinal

HEENT

head, eyes, ears, nose, throat

Hx, hx

history

I&D

incision and drainage

L5–S1

spinal disks located between the fifth lumbar vertebra and the first sacral vertebra

LLE

left lower extremity

LUE

left upper extremity

NKA

no known allergies

NS

nonsmoker

OTC

over-the-counter

PCP

primary care physician

PRN, p.r.n.

as needed (from the Latin pro re nata)

Pt, pt.

patient

RA

rheumatoid arthritis

RLE

right lower extremity

RUE

right upper extremity

SLE

systemic lupus erythematosus

SOB

shortness of breath

sq, subcu, subq

subcutaneous

y/o

years old; year-old (as in 18-year-old)

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal injury; erythema; hyperesthesia; and no blisters

second-degree burn

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

third-degree burn

Skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed; produces severe hyperesthesia or anesthesia

gangrene

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

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar

basal cell carcinoma

A commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis that typically does not metastasize

cyst

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

fissure

A groove or crack; also known as a sore

macule

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

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is flat or raised; also known as a mole

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than 1 centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer

papule

A solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than 1 centimeter; also known as a pimple

polyp

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

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; also known as an abscess

ulcer

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

vesicle

A small, raised skin lesion filled with clear fluid; also known as a blister

wheal

A smooth, slightly swollen area that is redder or paler than the surrounding skin; a characteristic of hives

psoriasis

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

vitiligo

Loss of pigment in one or more areas of the skin, creating the appearance of milky-white patches

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid

cryosurgery

Destruction of abnormal tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen

debridement

Removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing

aden/o

gland

adip/o

fat

albin/o

white

aut/o

self

bi/o

life

blephar/o

eyelid

carcin/o

cancer

caus/o

burn; burning; heat

cauter/o

heat; burn

chrom/o

color

cis/o

to cut

cry/o

cold

crypt/o

hidden

cutane/o

skin

cyan/o

blue

cyt/o

cell

derm/a, dermat/o, derm/o

skin

diaphor/o

profuse sweating

ecchym/o

blood in the tissues

erythem/o, erythemat/o

redness

erythr/o

red

hidr/o

sweat

hist/o

tissue

ichthy/o

dry; scaly

immun/o

immune; protection

integument/o

covering

jaund/o

yellow

kerat/o

hard, horn-shaped tissue

lip/o

fat

melan/o

black

myc/o

fungus

necr/o

death

onych/o

nail

papill/o

nipple-like

pil/o

hair; hair follicle

prurit/o

itching

psor/o

itching

py/o

pus

rhytid/o

wrinkle

scler/o

hardening

seb/o

sebum (oily secretion from sebaceous glands)

squam/o

scale

steat/o

fat; sebum

therm/o

hot; heat

trich/o

hair

ungu/o

nail

xanth/o

yellow; yellowish

xen/o

foreign; unlike species

xer/o

dry

a-, an-

not; without

auto-

self

e-, ex-

out; away from

epi-

on; over; upon