Lymphatic System

Cutaneous

Relating to or affecting the skin.

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin that provides a waterproof barrier and creates skin tone.

Dermis

The thick layer beneath the epidermis that contains blood vessels, nerves, glands, and hair follicles.

Seborrheic

Relating to excessive discharge of sebum (oil) from the sebaceous glands, often causing oily skin or dandruff.

Metastasis

The spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another.

Autograft

A graft of tissue taken from one part of a person's body and transplanted to another part of the same body.

Debridement

The removal of dead, damaged, or infected tissue to promote healing.

Eschar

A thick, hard, dead tissue (scab) that forms over a burn or wound.

Comedones

Skin-colored, small bumps (blackheads or whiteheads) often found on the forehead and chin.

Shingles

A painful rash caused by reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus (the same virus that causes chickenpox).

Cryosurgery

A procedure that uses extreme cold (usually liquid nitrogen) to destroy abnormal tissue.

Wheal

A raised, itchy area of skin, such as a hive or allergic reaction.

Tinea

A fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails; also known as ringworm.

Verruca

A wart; a growth caused by a virus (usually human papillomavirus, HPV).

Psoriasis

A chronic autoimmune skin disorder causing red, scaly patches on the skin.

Alopecia

Loss or absence of hair from areas where it normally grows.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nails, causing them to thicken and discolor.

Analgesics

Medications that relieve pain.

Transdermal

A method of drug delivery through the skin (e.g., patches).

IM (Intramuscular)

An injection of medication directly into a muscle.

The Rule of Nines

A method used to estimate the total body surface area (TBSA) affected by burns.

Burn Degrees

First-degree: affects only the epidermis (red, painful, no blisters). Second-degree: affects epidermis and dermis (blisters, severe pain). Third-degree: affects all skin layers (charred or white skin, little pain due to nerve damage).

Scleroderma

A chronic autoimmune disease causing hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues.

Decubitus Ulcers

Also called bedsores; pressure sores caused by reduced blood flow to the skin in immobile patients.

Vasodilation and Vasoconstriction

Vasodilation: widening of blood vessels to increase blood flow and release heat. Vasoconstriction: narrowing of blood vessels to reduce blood flow and conserve heat.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin, often causing redness, swelling, and itching.

Sub-

Prefix meaning under or below.

Hypo-

Prefix meaning below normal, deficient, or under.