Module 9_The Integumentary System_Terms

abscess

a circumscribed collection of pus accompanying an acute localized infection or a cavity formed by liquefactive necrosis (from the Latin abscessus = a going away.

acne

inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin with characteristic eruptions and lesions (from the Greek akme = point of efflorescence).

adipose

fatty, pertaining to fat (from the Latin adeps = fat + -ose = filled with.

alopecia

natural or abnormal loss of hair, complete, localized or generalized (from the Greek alopekia = fox mange, alopex = fox).

bulla

a large blister filled with fluid (from the Latin bulla – a bubble).

carbuncle

a deep-seated pyogenic inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissues which terminates in dead tissue (from the Latin diminutive carbunculus = small live coal, carbuncle).

dermatomycosis

fungal infection of the skin caused by dermatophytes, yeast, and other fungi (from the Greek words derma = skin + mykes = fungus, mushroom + -osis = condition.

desquamation

shedding of the epidermis (from the Latin desquamare = to shed scales, to peel off).

ecchymosis

bruise. A purplish skin discoloration (changing to greenish brown or yellow) caused by the extravasation of blood into the skin (from the Greek ekchymosis = extravasation, derived from ekchymoun = to shed juice and thus to shed blood).

eczema

generic term for a skin inflammation (from the Greek ekzema, derived from ek = out + zein = to boil).

eponychium

cuticle. The layer of epidermis that overlaps and protects the nail root (from the Greek epi- + onyx = nail).

erythema

redness over the skin caused by capillary dilation (from the Greek erythema = redness of the skin, from erythainein to redden).

eschar

a thick crust of dead, coagulated tissue that develops subsequent to a severe burn (from the Greek eschara = a scab caused by burning).

exfoliation

the scaling off of dead tissues (from Latin ex- = out + folium = leaf).

furuncle

a boil (from the Latin furunculus = a boil).

hyponychium

The nail bed (from the Greek hypo- = under + onyx = nail).

impetigo

a contagious bacterial infection (staph or strep) of the skin characterized by superficial vesicles that rupture and leave a thick yellowish crust.(from the Latin impetere = to attack, infest, invade).

keratosis

any overgrowths of the horny layer of the epidermis as in the development of a callus or wart.

laceration

a jagged wound or cut in the flesh (from the Latin lacerare – to tear).

lanugo

downy hair covering the body (from the Latin lanugo = the fine hairs of plants or the first soft down the beard, from lana = wool).

lentigo

benign small brown macule on the skin with an irregular border caused by a deposition of melanin pigment in the basal cell layer (from the Latin lentigo = freckle, derived from lens, lentis = lentil).

lichen

a papule or aggregation of papules that results in a patterning similar to lichen (from the Greek leichen = a tree moss).

lupus erythematosus

illness characterized by recurring reddish skin lesions that heal (from the Latin lupus = wolf. So named because the inflammation of the malar areas of the face seemed to render in its sufferers a wolf-like appearance.

macule

a spot or patch of discoloration on the skin (from the Latin macula = spot).

node

a knob, a circumscribed swelling or mass of tissue (from the Latin nodus = knot).

nodule

a small node (from the Latin diminutive nodulus = little node).

pachyderma

abnormal thickening of the skin (from the Greek pachys = thick + derma = skin).

pallor

unusual paleness in the skin (from the Latin pallor = pale color, paleness).

papilla

a small nipple-like process or protuberance.

papule

reddish circumscribed elevated area on the skin that may be pedunculated, sessile or filiform (from the Latin papula = pimple).

paronychia

inflammation of the nail fold caused by bacteria (staph and strep) or fungi (from the Greek para- = along + onyx = nail).

pediculosis

suffering from an infestation of lice (from the Latin pediculus = a louse + Greek -osis = condition).

piebaldism

patches with the absence of pigmentation in the hair of the scalp, resulting in a streaked appearance.

pemphigoid

similar to pemphigus (from the Greek pemphigodes = breaking out in blisters)

pemphigus

a chronic disease of adults indicated by successive occurrence of bullae which appear suddenly on the skin and disappear leaving pigmented spots (from the Greek pemphix = breath, air and employed by Hippocrates and Galen in reference to blisters).

perionychium

the epidermis surrounding the nail.

perspiration

watery fluid produced by the sweat (sudiferous) glands.

petechiae

small purplish hemorrhagic spots on the skin which appear in certain severe fevers and similar spots occurring on serous or mucous membranes (Italian petecchiae = skin spots, the Italian term may be derived from the Latin petigo = scab, eruption).

pore

an opening in the skin (from the Greek word poros = passageway).

pruritus

Severe itching. (from the Latin pruritus = itching)

psoriasis

A common, genetically determined dermatitis consisting of discrete reddish or pink lesions surmounted by characteristic silvery scales (Greek psoriasis = itching).

pustule

a small circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus (from the Latin word pustula).

sebaceous cyst

a cyst filled with sebum and epithelial debris that has formed in the duct of a sebaceous gland.

seborrhea

hyperactivity of the sebaceous glands marked by increased sebaceous secretion (from the Latin word sebum = tallow, suet, grease + the Greek word rhoia = flow).

scabies

a skin disease with vesicular eruptions and intense pruritus caused by a mite (from the Latin verb scabo = to scratch) .

tinea pedis

athlete’s foot. a fungal disease of the skin and nails of the foot (from the Latin word tinea = worm + pedis = of the foot).

urticaria

hives. a vascular skin reaction characterized by the eruption of slightly elevated patches or wheals, which are associated with severe pruritus (from the Latin word urtica = stinging nettle, and by extension a sting or itch).

vesicle

a small sac containing liquid. A small blister on the skin containing serous fluid (from the Latin diminutive word vesiculum = little bladder or bag, derived from vesica = bladder, bag).

vitiligo

a skin disorder characterized by depigmented patches surrounded by areas of normal pigmentation (from the Latin word vitium = blemish, defect + the suffix -igo = condition of disease.

wheal

circular elevation on the skin, pale in center, reddish on the periphery, accompanied by itching, as seen in urticaria (from the Anglo-Saxon word hwele).

xeroderma

a chronic skin condition characterized by rough dry skin (from the Greek words xeros = dry, parched + derma = skin).