Med Term Chapter 4 Terms - Integumentary System

Integumentary System

skin

organ covering the body; made up of layers (aka cutaneous membrane)

epidermis

outer layer of skin; protects the body from the external environment

keratin

scleroprotein component of the horn like, or cornified, layer of the epidermis. Also the primary component of the hair and nails

melanin

dark pigment covered by melanocytes; amount present determines skin color

hair

compressed, keratinized cells that arise fro hair follicles, the sacs the enclose the hair fibers

nails

hornlike plates made from flattened epithelial cells; found on the dorsal surface of the ends of the fingers and toes

subaceous glands

secrete sebum (oil) into the hair follicles where the hair shaft pass through the dermis

sudoriferous glands

tiny, coiled, tubular structures that emerge through pores on the skin’s surface and secrete sweat (aka sweat glands)

dermis

inner layer of skin; responsible for its flexibility and mechanical strength

hypodermis

layer between the dermis and the underlying tissues and organs; contains adipose tissue (fat), connective tissue, nerves, and blood vessels (aka subcutaneous layer)

dermatitis

inflammation of the skin

dermatofibroma

fibrous tumor of the skin

hidradenitis

inflammation of a sweat gland

keratosis

abnormal condition (growth) of horn like tissue (keratin)

onychocryptosis

abnormal condition of a hidden nail (also called ingrown nail)

onychyomalacia

softening of the nails

onychomycosis

abnormal condition of a fungus in the nails

onychophagia

condition of eating the nails (nail biting)

pachyderma

thickening of the skin

paronychia

diseased state around the nail

scleroderma

hard skin (chronic hardening or induration of the connective tissue of the skin and other organs)

seborrha

discharge of sebum (excessive)

xanthoma

yellow tumor (benign, primarily in the skin)

xeroderma

dry skin (a mild form of a cutaneous disorder characterized by keratinization and noninflammatory scaling)

abrasion

scraping away of the skin by mechanical process or injury

abscess

localized collection of pus, bacteria, and other material; can occur in the skin (cutaneous abscess) or other locations within the body (internal abscess)

acne

inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hair follicles

actinic keratosis

precancerous skin condition of hornlike tissue formation that results from excessive exposure to sunlight. It may evolve into a squamous cell carcinoma

albinism

congenital hereditary condition characterized by patial or total lack of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair, and eyes

basal cell carcinoma

malignant epithelial tumor arising from the bottom layer of the epidermis called the basal layer; it seldom metastasizes, but invades local tissue and may recur in the same location. Common in individuals who have had excessive sun exposure

candidiasis

infection of the skin, mouth (also called thrush), or vagina caused by the yeast-type fungus Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in the mucous membranes; overgrowth causes an infection. Esophageal candidiasis is often seen in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

carbuncle

infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue composed of a cluster of boils (furuncles) caused by staphylococcal bacteria

cellulitis

inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue cause by infection; characterized by redness, pain, heat, and swelling

contusion

external injury with no break in the skin, characterized by pain, swelling, and discoloration (also called a bruise)

eczema

noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching

fissure

slit or crack like sore in the skin

furuncle

painful skin nodule caused by staphylococcal bacteria in a hair follicle (also called a boil)

gangrene

death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion (a form of necrosis)

herpes

inflammatory skin disease caused by a herpesvirus and characterized by small blister in clusters. Many types exist.

impetigo

superficial skin infection characterized by pustules and caused by either staphylococci or steptococci

Kaposi sarcoma

cancerous condition starting as purple or brown papules that spreads through the skin to the lymph nodes and internal organs; frequently seen with AIDS

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

laceration

torn, ragged-edged wound

measles

highly contagious viral disease characterized by fever, runny nose, cough, and a spreading skin rash. It is a potentially disastrous disease that can lead to pneumonia, severe bleeding, brain infections (which may cause seizures, developmental delay, or chronic brain disease), and sometimes death. Measles is a significant cause of death, despite the availability of a safe, effective vaccine.

MRSA

invasion of body tissue by methicillin-resistant Staphylococccus aureus, a strain of common bacteria that has developed resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics. It can produce skin and soft tissue infections and sometimes bloodstream infections and pneumonia, which can be fatal if not treated. It is quite common in hospitals and long-term care facilities but is increasingly emerging as an important infection in the general population.

pediculosis

invasion into the skin and hair by lice

pilonidal cyst

abnormal pocket in the skin that contains hair and skin debris. It is frequently located near the tailbone, at the top of the cleft of the buttocks. If it becomes infected, it can severely painful and may require surgery.

pressure injury

damage of the skin and the subcutaneous tissue cased by prolonged pressure, often occurring in bedridden patients; the injury, which may be painful ,can present as intact skin or an open ulcer (also called pressure ulcer and bedsore; formerly called decubitus ulcer)

psoriasis

chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales

rosacea

chronic disorder of the skin that produces erythema, papules, pustules, and abnormal dilation of tiny blood vessels, usually occuring on the central area of the face in people older than 30 years.

scabies

skin infection caused by the itch mite, characterized by papule eruptions that are caused by the female burrowing into the outer layer of the skin and laying eggs. This condition is accompanied by severe itching.

squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

malignant growth developing from scalelike epithelial tissue of the surface layer of the epidermis; it invades local tissue and may metastasize. While most commonly appearing on the skin, it can occur in other parts of the body, including the mouth, lips, and genitals. The most frequent cause is chronic exposure to sunlight

systemic lupus erythematosus

chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin, joints, kidneys, and nervous system. This autoimmune disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations. It may also affect other organs.

tinea

fungul infection of the skin. The fungi may infect keratin of the skin, hair, and nails. In general is also called ringwom.

Infections are classified by body regions such as tinea captis (scalp), tinea corporis (body), and tinea pedis (foot/athlete’s foot).

urticaria

itchy skin eruption composed of wheals of varying sizes and shapes. (also called hives) Is sometimes associated with infections and with allergic reactions to food, medicine, or other agents. Other causes include internal disease, physical stimuli, and genetic disorders.

vitiligo

white patches on the skin caused by destruction of melanocytes

dermatoplasty

surgical repair of the skin

rhytidectomy

excision of wrinkles (also called facelift)

cauterization

destruction of tissue with a hot or cold instrument, electric current, or caustic substance (also called cautery)

cryosurgery

destruction of tissue by using extreme cold, often by using liquid nitrogen

debridement

removal of contaminated or dead tissue and foreign matter from an open wound

dermabrasion

procedure to remove skin scars with abrasive material, such as sandpaper

excision

removal by cutting

incision

surgical cut or wound produced by a sharp instrument

incision and drainage (I & D)

surgical cut made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity

laser surgery

procedure using an instrument that emits a high-powered beam of light used to cut, burn, vaporize, or destroy tissue

Mohs surgery

technique of microscopically controlled serial excisions of a skin cancer

skin graft

skin transplanted to replace a lost portion of the body skin surface; it may be a full-thickness or a split-thickness graft

suturing

to stitch edges of a wound surgically