Health Assessment Hair Skin and Nails Vocab

Bulla (Blister)

a large, fluid-filled skin blister that measures greater than 0.5 centimeters (5 millimeters) in diameter

Clubbing

when your nails appear wider, spongelike or swollen, like an upside-down spoon

Confluent

flowing, running, or merging together to form a single, continuous mass or patch. (Individual spots expand and bleed into one another, this forms a large, solid sheet of affected skin)

Cyanosis

a bluish, purplish, or pale gray discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, or nail beds

Ecchymosis

a bruise that occurs when blood leaks from damaged capillaries into the surrounding tissues of the skin, hair follicles, or under the nails

Erythema

abnormal redness and inflammation of the skin caused by increased blood flow in superficial capillaries

Jaundice

yellowish pigmentation of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.

Keloid

a raised, firm overgrowth of scar tissue that continues to grow beyond the original boundaries of a healed skin injury

Leukonychia

white discoloration, spots, or lines on the fingernails or toenails

Linear

used to define the shape, pattern, or distribution of an abnormality

Macule

a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin that is less than 1 centimeter wide and does not change skin texture or thickness

Nevi

a benign, circumscribed, long-lasting cluster of specialized skin cells

Nodule

a firm, solid, palpable lump or elevated lesion that extends deep into the layers of the skin

Pallor

an unusual lightness or loss of color in the skin and mucous membranes caused by reduced blood flow, oxygen, or red blood cells

Papule

a small, solid, raised skin lesion that is typically less than 1 centimeter (about 0.4 inches) wide

Patch

a flat, non-palpable, irregular skin lesion larger than 1 centimeter in diameter

Petechiae

tiny, pinpoint-sized red, purple, or brown spots on the skin caused by minor bleeding from broken capillaries

Plaque

a solid, raised, flat-topped skin lesion that is larger than 10 millimeters (1 centimeter) in diameter

Pustule

a small, raised, inflamed skin lesion or blister filled with cloudy or yellowish pus

Rash

a noticeable change in the color, texture, or appearance of your skin, often involving irritation, swelling, redness, or itching

Scar

an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin after an injury or deep wound heals

Striae

[stretch marks] visible linear scars or bands on the skin that develop when the dermis (the skin's middle layer) is stretched rapidly, causing its collagen and elastin fibers to tear

Turgor

[measure of dehydration] the state of turgidity—or the normal rigidity, fullness, and elasticity of cells and tissues caused by fluid pressure

Vesicle

a small, elevated, fluid-filled blister on the skin

Zosteriform

a skin rash or lesion pattern that resembles shingles (herpes zoster)