Medical Terminology - Integumentary System

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomy, signs and symptoms, pathology, diagnostic procedures, skin grafting, and treatments of the integumentary system.

Epidermis

The thin, outer membrane layer of the skin composed of stratified squamous epithelium, having no blood supply or connective tissue.

Dermis

The deeper fibrous connective tissue layer of the skin located between the epidermis and subcutaneous layer, containing hair follicles, glands, blood vessels, and nerves; also called corium.

Subcutaneous layer

The layer of fatty tissue located beneath the skin, composed of lipocytes, which protects deeper body tissues and insulates against heat and cold; also called hypodermis.

Keratin

A hard protein that fills dying skin cells as they are pushed to the surface, forming a waterproof protective barrier.

Melanocytes

Specialized cells in the basal layer of the epidermis that produce the black pigment melanin to give skin color and protect against UV rays.

Arrector pili muscle

A small muscle attached to a hair follicle that contracts to cause the hair shaft to stand up.

Lunula

The pale, half-moon shaped region located at the base of the nail.

Sebaceous glands

Glands that secrete an oily substance called sebum into hair follicles to lubricate skin and hair and prevent drying.

Sudoriferous glands

Coiled tubular glands located in the dermis, commonly known as sweat glands, that secrete sweat to cool the body as it evaporates.

Cutaneous

Pertaining to the skin.

Abrasion

Friction scraping away of the skin surface.

Anhidrosis

The condition of producing no sweat.

Bulla

A large fluid-filled blister.

Comedo

Hardened sebum blocking a hair follicle; commonly known as a blackhead.

Contusion

Injury caused by a blow that results in swelling, pain, and bruising without breaking the skin.

Cyst

A fluid-filled sac located under the skin.

Ecchymosis

Collection of blood under the skin following blunt trauma; a bruise.

Erythema

Red flushing of the skin.

Eschar

A thick, dark layer of dead tissue that forms over a deep burn area.

Fissure

A crack-like break or lesion on the skin.

Hirsutism

Excessive growth of body hair.

Hyperemia

Redness of the skin resulting from increased blood flow.

Lipoma

A benign tumor composed of fatty tissue.

Macule

A flat, discolored spot on the skin.

Necrosis

The condition of cell or tissue death.

Nevus

A pigmented skin blemish, mole, or birthmark that is usually benign.

Nodule

A firm, solid mass on or under the skin larger than 0.5 cm in size.

Papule

A small, solid raised spot on the skin smaller than 0.5 cm in size.

Petechiae

Pinpoint skin hemorrhages caused by tiny amounts of bleeding under the skin.

Purpura

Hemorrhaging into the skin due to fragile blood vessels, creating purplish discolorations.

Pruritus

Severe itching of the skin.

Pustule

A small, elevated lesion on the skin containing pus.

Ulcer

An open sore or erosion on the skin or mucous membrane.

Urticaria

An eruption of intensely itchy wheals on the skin; commonly known as hives.

Vesicle

A small, fluid-filled raised spot on the skin; a blister.

Wheal

A small, round, swollen area on the skin typical of an allergic reaction.

Xeroderma

Abnormally dry skin condition.

Actinic keratosis

A precancerous, hard, horny skin lesion caused by long-term sun exposure.

Basal cell carcinoma

A frequent type of skin cancer arising in the basal layer of the epidermis that rarely metastasizes.

Rule of Nines

A standardized method used to calculate the percentage of total body surface area affected by burns.

Cellulitis

A diffuse, acute bacterial infection of the deep connective tissue layers of the skin.

Cicatrix

A normal scar left after the healing of a wound.

Decubitus ulcer

An open skin sore caused by continuous pressure over bony prominences that restricts blood flow; also called a bedsore or pressure sore.

Eczema

Superficial skin inflammation characterized by redness, itching, vesicles, and crusting.

Gangrene

Tissue death and decay caused by loss of blood supply.

Impetigo

A highly contagious bacterial skin infection marked by pustules that rupture and form honey-colored crusts.

Kaposi's sarcoma

A form of skin cancer frequent in AIDS patients that forms brownish-purple skin lesions.

Keloid

An abnormally raised, thick, hypertrophic scar extending beyond original wound borders.

Malignant melanoma

A dangerous form of skin cancer originating in melanocytes that rapidly metastasizes; abbreviated MM.

Pediculosis

An infestation with parasitic lice.

Psoriasis

A chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by red papules covered with distinctive silvery scales.

Scabies

A contagious skin disease caused by microscopic mites burrowing under the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma

Cancer arising in the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis that can invade deeper tissues and metastasize; abbreviated SCC.

Strawberry hemangioma

A congenital birthmark formed by a dense, raised collection of dilated blood vessels.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

A chronic autoimmune disease of connective tissue causing widespread inflammation and a characteristic red butterfly rash across the nose and cheeks; abbreviated SLE.

Tinea pedis

A fungal infection of the foot causing itching, scaling, and cracking; commonly known as athlete's foot.

Vitiligo

A skin condition characterized by localized loss of skin pigment, resulting in milk-white patches.

Alopecia

Partial or complete loss or absence of hair; baldness.

Furuncle

A painful bacterial infection localized to a single hair follicle; commonly called a boil.

Carbuncle

A severe bacterial infection involving a cluster of interconnected hair follicles.

Paronychia

Infection and inflammation of the fold of tissue surrounding the edge of a nail.

Culture and sensitivity

A diagnostic lab test that isolates bacteria from an infection and determines its susceptibility to various antibiotics; abbreviated C&S.

Exfoliative cytology

Microscopic examination of cells scraped from the surface of a tissue lesion.

Frozen section

Rapid microscopic analysis of a thin slice of tissue cut from a frozen surgical specimen; abbreviated FS.

Punch biopsy

Removal of a core cylindrical specimen of skin tissue using a specialized circular punch instrument.

Shave biopsy

Surgical removal of raised surface skin lesions by shaving thin layers parallel to the skin surface using a blade.

Allograft

Skin transplanted from one individual to another individual of the same species; also termed homograft.

Autograft

Skin graft taken from one part of a patient's body and transplanted to another area on the same patient.

Xenograft

Skin graft harvested from a different species, commonly a pig, used as a temporary biological dressing; also called heterograft.

Dermatome

A surgical instrument designed to slice thin layers of skin for skin grafting.

Debridement

Surgical or medical removal of dead, contaminated, or damaged tissue and foreign debris from a wound.

Curettage

Scraping away superficial tissue or skin lesions using a spoon-shaped instrument called a curette.

Incision and drainage

A surgical procedure involving cutting into a fluid-filled lesion or abscess to release trapped pus or fluids; abbreviated I&D.

Rhytidectomy

Surgical removal of excess skin and tightening of underlying tissues to eliminate facial wrinkles; commonly called a face lift.

Antipruritic

A drug category used to relieve severe itching, such as Benadryl or Caladryl.