Med Term Chap 12: Skin Integumentary System

Cutane/o

Skin

Derm/o, dermat/o

Skin

Hidr/o

Sweat

Hirsut/o

Hairy, rough

Kerat/o

Horny, hard

Lip/o

Fat, lipid

Melan/o

Black, dark

Myc/o

Fungus

Onych/o

Fingernail or toenail

Pil/o, pil/i

Hair

Py/o

Pus

Rhytid/o

Wrinkle

Seb/o

Sebum

Urtic/o

Rash, hives

Xer/o

Dry

Integumentary system

Is made up of the skin and its structures, performs important functions in maintaining the health of the body

Skin

Forms the protective outer covering the external surfaces of the entire body

Sebaceous glands

Secrete sebum (oil) that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria on the skin

Sweat glands

Helps regulate the body temperature and water content by secreting sweat

Hair

Helps control the loss of body heat

Nails

Protect the dorsal surface of the last bone of each toe and finger

Cutaneous

Pertaining to the skin

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, made up of several specialized epithelial tissues

Epithelial tissues

Form a protective covering for all the internal and external surfaces of the body

Squamous epithelial tissues

Forms the upper layer of the epidermis

Basal layer

The lowest layer of the epidermis. Here the new cells are produced and then pushes upward

Keratin

A fibrous, water-repellent protein. Soft one is the primary component of the epidermis and the hard one is found in the hair and nails

Melanocytes

Special cells that are also found in the basal cell layer. These cells produce and contain a dark brown to black pigment known as melanin

Melanin

The pigment that determines the color of the skin, which depends upon the type and amount of this pigment that is present

Dermis

The thick layer of living tissue directly below the epidermis. Contains connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, and nerve fibers.

Aka corium

Sensory nerve endings

In the dermis are the sensory receptors for stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure

Collagen

Which means glue, is a tough, yet flexible, fibrous protein material found in the skin, and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

Mast cells

Found in the connective tissue of the dermis, respond to an injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances, including heparin and histamine

Heparin

Is released in response to an injury, is an anticoagulant

Histamine

Is released in response to allergens, causes the signs of an allergic response, including itching and increasing mucus secretion

Subcutaneous layer

Located just below the layers of the skin and connects the skin to the surface muscles

Adipose tissue

Subcutaneous layer is made out of this

Aka fat tissue

Lipocytes

Predominant in the subcutaneous layer where they manufacture and store large quantities of fat

Aka fat cells

Sebaceous gland

Located in the dermis layer of the skin and are closely associated with hair follicles

Sebum

An oily substance that is released through ducts opening into the hair follicles

Mammary gland

Are modified sebaceous glands, are sometimes classified with the integumentary system. Secrete milk

Sweat gland

Ting, coiled glands formed on almost all body surfaces. They are most numerous in the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, the forehead, and in the armpits

Aka sudoriferous glands

Pores

The openings on the surface of the skin that acts as the ducts of the sweat glands

Perspiration

Secreted by sweat glands and is made up of 99% water plus salt and metabolic waste products. Commonly known as sweat

Hidrosis

The production and excretion of perspiration

Hair

Rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin

Hair follicles

The sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers. The shape of this determines whether the hair is straight or curly

Arrector pili

Tiny muscle fibers attached to the hair follicles that cause the hair to stand erect

Unguis

The keratin plate that protects the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe. Commonly known as fingernail or toenail

Lunula

A pale half-moon-shaped region at every nail root, which is generally most easily seen in the thumbnail. This is the active area of the nail, where new keratin cells form

Cuticle

A narrow band of epidermis attached to the surface of the nail just in from of the root, protecting the new keratin cells as they form

Nail root

Fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin

Dermatologist

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

Plastic surgeon

A physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures

Acne vulgaris

A chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum around the hair shaft. Commonly known as acne

Comedo

A non infected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle.

Whitehead (a closed one)- one with an obstructed opening

Black head ( an open one) - a sebum plug that is exposed to air often oxidizes

Sebaceous cyst

A closed sac associated with a sebaceous gland that is found just under the skin. These cysts contain yellow, fatty material and are usually found on the face, neck and or trunk

Seborrhea

Over activity of the sebaceous glands that results in the production of an excessive amount of sebum

Seborrheic dermatitis

An inflammation sometimes resulting from seborrhea that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp

Seborrheic keratosis

A benign skin growth that has a waxy or “pasted-on” look. Occur most commonly in elderly

Anhidrosis

The abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating

Heat rash

An intensely itchy rash caused by blockage of the sweat glands by bacteria and dead cells

Aka prickly heat

Hyperhidrosis

Condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body

Sleep hyperhidrosis

The occurrence of hyperhidrosis during sleep. Commonly known as night sweats

Folliculitis

Inflammation of the hair follicles. Common on arms, legs and in the beard area of men

Trichomycosis axillaris

Superficial bacterial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands such as the armpits

Hirsutism

The presence of excessive body and facial hair in women, usually occurring in male pattern. This condition can be hereditary or caused by a hormonal imbalance

Alopecia

The partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp

Aka baldness

Alopecia areata

An autoimmune disorder that attacks the hair follicles, causing well-defined bald areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. This condition often begins in childhood

Alopecia totalis

An uncommon condition characterized by the loss of all hair on the scalp

Aka alopecia capitis totalis

Alopecia universalis

Total loss of hair on all parts of the body

Female pattern baldness

Condition in which the hair thins in front and on the side of the scalp and sometimes on the crown. This condition rarely leads to total hair loss

Male pattern baldness

A common hair loss pattern in men, with the hairline receding from the front to the back until only a horseshoe shaped area of hair remains in the back and at the temples

Clubbing

The abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by the enlargement of the fingertips.

Koilonychia

A malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like a bowl of the spoon

Aka spoon nail

Onychia

An inflammation of the matrix of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail

Aka onychitis

Onychocryptosis

Commonly known as ingrown toenail. The edges of a toenail, usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail. Depending on the type of fungus involved this condition can cause the nails to turn white, yellow, green, or black and to become thick or brittle

Onychophagia

Nail biting or nail eating

Paronychia

An acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail

Age spots

Discoloration caused by sun exposure. Although harmless, these spots sometimes resemble skin cancer growths.

Aka solar lentigines or liver spots

Albinism

A genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or absence of the pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eyes. This condition is the result of the missing enzyme that is necessary for the production of melanin. A person with this condition is known as an albino

Chloasma

A pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face. This can occur during pregnancy, especially among women with dark hair and fair skin, and usually disappears after delivery.

Aka melasma or the mask of pregnancy

Vitiligo

A skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes. This causes irregular patches of white skin, a process known as depigmentation

Contusion

An injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin and is characterized by discoloration and pain. This discoloration is caused by an accumulation of blood within the skin

Ecchymosis

A large, irregular area of purplish discoloration cue to bleeding under the skin. Commonly known as a bruise

Purpura

The appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin. These areas of discoloration are smaller than ecchymosis and larger than petechiae

Petechiae

Very small, pinpoint hemorrhages that are less than 2 mm in diameter. These hemorrhages sometimes result from high fevers

Hematoma

Usually caused by an injury, is a swelling of clotted blood trapped in the tissues

Subungual: is blood trapped under fingernail or toenail

Lesion

A pathologic change of the tissues due to a disease or injury

Crust

A collection of dried serum and cellular debris

Aka scab

Erosion

The wearing away of a surface, such as the epidermis of the skin or the outer layer of a mucus membrane. This term can also describe the progressive loss of dental enamel

Macule

A discolored flat spot that is less than 1 cm in diameter. Freckles, or flat moles are examples of this

Aka macula

Nodule

A solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule. In acne vulgaris, these can cause scarring

Papule

A small, raised red lesion that is lees than 0.5 can in diameter and does not contain pus. Small pimples and insect bites are examples of this

Plaque

A scaly, solid raised area of closely spaced papules.

Scales

Flakes or dry patches made up of excess dead epidermal cells. Some shedding of these is normal; however, excessive shedding is associated with skin disorders such as psoriasis

Verrucae

Are small, hard skin lesions caused by human papilloma virus. Plantar warts are type of this that develop on the sole of the foot

Aka warts

Wheal

A small bump that itches. This can appear as urticaria, or hives as a symptom of allergic reaction.

Aka welt