nur203 - vocab

primary lesion

abnormal changes in the skin that develop directly from a disease process or initial environmental reaction on previously healthy skin

secondary lesion

changes that develop from a primary skin lesion or are caused by external forces like trauma, scratching, or the natural healing process

abrasion

epidermal layer of skin rubs/wears off due to friction

alopecia

patchy, asymmetrical balding

angioma

non-cancerous tumor made of small blood vessels

annular

lesion with distinct center and ringed border

atrophy

decrease in size of cell, tissue, organ, or body part

bulla

primary skin lesion >1cm, superficial, and ruptures easily. related to vesicles. ex: burn

capillary refill

how quick blood returns to skin after depressed

clubbing

tips of toes/fingers widen and bulge

confluent

individual lesions merging to form one large patch

crust

hardened secondary lesion formed by dried fluids

cyanosis

blue/purple tint cause by lack of blood oxygen

cyst

harmless primary lesion in the form of a bump filled with keratin and dead cells. related to pustules

dermis

thick, middle layer of skin housing sensory nerve fibers

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

lunula

half-moon area at bottom of the nail

diaphoresis

excess sweat during pain, anxiety, exercise, etc

ecchymosis

purple patch >3mm caused by blood rushing to the skin

edema

abnormal accumulation of fluid in interstitial spaces

epidermis

thin, tough outer layer of skin

erythema

redness caused by excess blood in capillaries

fissure

secondary lesion causing a linear crack into dermis thats dry and moist

hemangioma

benign proliferation of blood cells into dermis

hematoma

blood pooling from damaged large vessel (NOT a bruise)

hirsutism

excess body hair in females

jaundice

yellow skin caused by extra bilirubin

keloid

secondary skin lesion cause by scars, acne, tattoos, where excess scar tissue is generated

keratosis

raised, thick areas of pigmentation. can be seborrheic or actinic

seborrheic keratosis

looks dark and potentially greasy

actinic keratosis

red, scaly plaques

laceration

deep tear in skin tissue with uneven edges

excoriation

scratch that goes into the superficial surface of dermis

lichenification

secondary skin lesions of tightly packed papules caused by prolonged itching

macule

primary skin lesions thats a flat area of color-change <1cm, related to patches, (ie. freckles, measels)

melanin

pigment that gives skin/hair its brown color

malignant melanoma

skin cancer thats brown with irregular border

nevus flammeus

port-winer stain; large hemangioma on the face/scalp along cranial nerve V

nodule

elevated primary lesion thats hard/soft, >1cm, related to tumors

pallor

blood looses its red hemoglobin and skin turns white

papule

primary lesion consisting of superficial thickening of the dermis <1cm, related to plaques (ie. wart)

patch

macules that grow >1cm

petechia

red marks 1-3mm caused by bleeding of superficial capillaries

plaque

multiple papules joining to be >1cm (ie. psoriasis)

pruritus

uncomfortable itchy feeling

pressure ulcer

damage to deep tissues caused by prolonged pressure

purpura

confluent patches of petechiae >3mm red and flat

pustule

puss filled cysts

scales

compact, patchy flakes of dry, dead keratin

sebum

protective lipid secreted through hair follicles

solar lentigines

brown clusters of melanin caused by UV exposure (ie. liver spots)

striae

stretch marks

telangiectasis

permanently enlarged blood vessels visible on skin

tumor

large nodules deep into dermis

turgor

the ability of pinched skin to immediately return to its place

ulcer

deep secondary lesion extending into dermis, typically leaves a scar

urticaria

wheals coalesce to form a big reaction (ie. hives from a food allergy)

vesicle

elevated cavity with free fluid, <1cm, related to bulla (ie. blister, chicken pox)

vitiligo

patchy depigmentation from melanin desctruction

wheal

raised, red, itchy bumps with irregular shape (ie. misquito bite)

ABCDEF

concerning things to look out for in lumps; avoiding cancer

Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter >6mm, Evolution, Funny looking

accommodation

adaption of the eye for near vision; ciliary body increases curvature of lens

amblyopia

lazy eye

arcus senilis

grey-white circle around limbus of the eye

bruit

abnormal, soft whooshing sound heard with bell of stethoscope

buccal

cheek

canthus

corners of eyes where lids meet

caries

cavities

cataract

cloudy area in the typically opaque eye lens

cerumen

ear wax

diplopia

double-vision

dysphagia

difficulty swallowing

epistaxis

nose bleeds

exophthalmos

forward displacement of eyes

hyperopia

far-sightedness; light focuses behind retinas, not on them

leukoplakia

white raised patch on tongue due to alcohol/tobacco consumption, pre-cancerous

macrocephalic

large head

microcephalic

small head

normocephalic

normal head

miosis (eye)

pupil stays >2mm, even when lighting changes

myopia

near-sightedness

nystagmus

involuntary back-and-forth movement of eyes

otitis media

middle ear infection

palpebrae

eyelids

pharyngitis

throat pain

presbycusis

age-related hearing loss that causes damage to nerve cells of inner ear

presbyopia

decreased power of accommodation in the lens

ptosis

eyelid drooping

rhinitis

swollen nasal mucosa accompanied by yellow discharge

rhinorrhea

nasal discharge

strabismus

cross-eyed

tinnitus

false ringing noise in ears

vertigo

person feels like they OR their world is spinning