medical terminology systems a body systems approach 8th edition ch 5 med terms

androgen

generic term for an agent (usually a hormone, such as testosterone or androsterone) that stimulates development of male characteristics

ductule

very small duct

homeostasis

state of equilibrium of the internal environment of the body despite changes in the external environment

synthesize

forming a complex substance by the union of simpler compounds or elements

adip/o, lip/o, steat/o

fat (3)

cutane/o, dermat/o, derm/o

skin (3)

hidr/o, sudor/o

sweat

ichthy/o

dry, scaly

kerat/o

horny tissue; hard; cornea

melan/o

black

myc/o

fungus

onych/o, ungu/o

nail (2)

pil/o, trich/o

hair (2)

scler/o

hardening; sclera (white of eye)

seb/o

sebum, sebaceous

squam/o

scale

xen/o

foreign, strange

xer/o

dry

-cyte

cell

-derma

skin

-logist

specialist in the study of

-logy

study of

-therapy

treatment

an-

without, not

epi-

above, upon

homo-

same

abscess

localized collection of pus at the site of an infection (characteristically a staphylococcal infection)

acne

inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin with characteristic lesions that include blackheads (comedos), inflammatory papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts and are usually associated with seborrhea

alopecia

partial or complete loss of hair resulting from normal aging, an endocrine disorder, a drug reaction, anticancer medication, or a skin disease; commonly called baldness

Bowen disease

very early form of skin cancer, which is easily curable and characterized by a red, scaly patch on the skin; also called squamous cell carcinoma in situ

cellulitis

diffuse (widespread), acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue

chloasma

pigmentary skin discoloration usually occuring in yellowish-brown patches or spots

comedo

typical small skin lesions of acne vulgaris cause by accumulation of keratin, bacteria, and dried sebum plugging an excretory duct of the skin

decubitus ulcer

inflammation, sore, or skin discoloration caused by prolonged pressure from lying in one position that prevents blood flow to the tissues, usually in elderly bedridden person; also known as pressure ulcer

ecchymosis

skin discoloration consisting of a large, irregularly formed hemorrhagic area with colors changing from bluish black to greenish brown or yellow; commonly called a bruise

eczema

chronic inflammatory skin condition that is characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, pustules, scales, crusts, and scabs and accompanied by intense itching (pruritus); also called atopic dermatitis

erythema

redness of the skin caused by swelling of the capillaries

eschar

dead matter that is sloughed off from the surface of the skin, especially after a burn

impetigo

bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture

keratosis

thickened area of the epidermis or any horny growth on the skin (such as a callus or wart)

lentigo

small brown macules, especially on the face and arms, brought on by sun exposure, usually in a middle-aged or older person

pallor

unnatural paleness or absence of color in the skin

pediculosis

infestation with lice, transmitted by personal contact or common use of brushes, combs, or headgear

petechia

minute, pinpoint hemorrhage under the skin

pruritus

intense itching

psoriasis

chronic skin disease characterized by itchy red patches covered by thick, dry, silvery scales and caused by excessive development of the basal layer of the epidermis

purpura

any of several bleeding disorders characterized by hemorrhage into the tissues, particularly beneath the skin or mucous membranes, producing ecchymoses or petechiae

scabies

contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite, commonly through sexual contact

tinea

fungal skin infection whose name commonly indicates the body part affected; also called ringworm

urticaria

allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red, elevated patches called wheals or hives

verruca

epidermal growth caused by a virus; also known as warts

vitiligo

localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk-white patches

allergy skin test

any test in which a suspected allergen or sensitizer is applied to or injected into the skin to determine the patient's sensitivity to it

intradermal

skin test that identifies suspected allergens by subcutaneously injecting small amounts of extracts of the suspected allergens and observing the skin for a subsequent reaction

patch

skin test that identifies allergic contact dermatitis by applying a suspected allergen to a patch, which is then taped on the skin, usually the forearm, and observing the area 24 hours later for an allergic response

scratch

skin test that identifies suspected allergens by placing a small quantity of the suspected allergen on a lightly scratched area of the skin; also called puncture test of prick test

culture and sensitivity (C&S)

laboratory test to determine the presence of pathogens in patients with suspected wound infections and identify the appropriate drug therapy to which the organism responds (sensitivity)

biopsy (Bx, bx)

representative tissue sample removed from a body site for microscopic examination

frozen section (FS)

ultrathin slice of tissue from a frozen specimen for immediate pathological examination

needle

removal of a small tissue sample for examination using a hollow needle, usually attached to a syringe

punch

removal of a small core of tissue using a hollow punch

shave

removal of elevated lesions using a surgical blade

Mohs

procedure that involves progressive removal and examination of layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains; also called micrographic surgery of the skin

skin graft

transplantation of healthy tissue to an injured site

allograft

transplantation of healthy tissue from one person to another person; also called homograft

autograft

transplantation of healthy tissue from one site to another site in the same individual

synthetis

transplantation of artificial skin produced from collagen fibers arranged in a lattice pattern

xennograft

transplantation (dermis only) from a foreign donor (usually a pig) and transferred to a human; also called a heterograft

chemical peel

chemical removal of the outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses; also called chemabrasion

cryosurgery

use of subfreezing temperature (commonly liquid nitrogen) to destroy or eliminate abnormal tissue, such as tumors, warts, and unwanted, cancerous, or infected tissue

débridement

removal of necrotized tissue from a wound by surgical excision, enzymes, or chemical agents

dermabrasion

rubbing (abrasion) using wire brushed or sandpaper to mechanically scrape away (abrade) the epidermis

fulguration

tissue destruction by means of high-frequency electric current; also called electrodesiccation

photodynamic therapy (PDT)

procedure in which cells selectively treated with an agent called a photosensitizer are exposed to light to produce a reaction that destroys the cells

epidermis

outer layer of the skin

epidermis is composed of

strata, stratum corneum, basal layer

stratum corneum

dead, flat cells, lack a blood supply and sensory receptors

basal layer

composed of living cells where new cells are formed

keratin

hard protein material found in the epidermis, hair, and nails

melanocytes

specialized cells in the skin that produce melanin in the basal layer

melanin

provides a protective barrier from the damaging effects of the sun's ultraviolet radiation

-causes difference in skin color (dark skin has high amounts)

albino

individual who cannot produce melanin

dermis

(corium) second layer of skin, composed of living tissue and contains numerous capillaries, lymphatic vessels, and nerve endings. also contains hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sudoriferous glands

subcutaneous layer

(hypodermis) binds to the dermis, composed of primarily loose connective tissue and adipose tissue interlaced with blood vessels. it stores fats, insulates, and cushions the body and regulates temperature.

sudoriferous glands

produces sweat. in the dermis

sebaceous glands

produces oil in the dermis

axillae

armpits

sebum

oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands

hair follicle

the root together with its coverings

papilla

At the bottom of the follicle is a loop of capillaries enclosed in a covering

nail root

where each nail is formed, composed of keratinized, stratified, squamous epithelial cells producing a very tough covering

nailbed

As the nail grows, it stays attached and slides forward over the layer of epithelium

nail body

visible part of the nail, appears pink because of the underlying vascular tissue

lunula

region where new growth occurs (of nail), half moon shaped area at the base of the nail

dermatology

medical speciality concerned with diseases that directly affect the skin and systemic diseases that manifest their effects on the skin

dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

lesions

area of tissue that been pathologically altered by injury, wound, or infection

localized

limited to a definite area or part

systemic

widely spread throughout the body

primary skin lesions

initial reaction to pathologically altered tissue and may be flat or elevated