Health, Skin, Hair, Nails Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary related to health, the human body, diseases, and related topics.

Epidermis

Outer, thinner layer of skin; made of living and dead cells, produces keratin and melanin, contains keratinocytes and melanocytes.

Dermis

Thicker, inner layer of skin; made of connective tissue, contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and nerve endings.

Melanin

A pigment that gives the eyes, skin, hair, and iris their colour.

Subcutaneous Layer

Located beneath the dermis; made of fat and connective tissue.

UV Radiation

Can lead to sunburn, premature aging, and increased risk of skin cancer.

Sebum

An oily secretion of the sebaceous glands. When overactive it can clog pores and cause acne.

ABCDs of Melanoma

A - Asymmetry, B - Border irregularity, C - Colour, D - Diameter.

Hair Follicle

A structure that surrounds the root of a hair and anchors hair to the skin.

Crown (tooth)

The visible portion of the tooth.

Enamel

Hardest substance in the body; covers the crown of the tooth.

Dentin

Connective tissue beneath the enamel in a tooth.

Pulp (tooth)

Inner part of the tooth; contains blood vessels and nerves.

Plaque

Sticky, colourless film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.

Tartar

Hard, crust-like substance formed when plaque hardens on teeth.

Halitosis

Bad breath, can be caused by eating certain foods, poor oral hygiene, smoking, bacteria on the tongue, decayed teeth, or gum disease.

Conjunctivitis (pinkeye)

Inflammation of the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the sclera lining of the eyelids.

Cataracts

The lens becomes cloudy, interfering with the ability to focus light rays and causing blurry or foggy vision.

Outer Ear (Auricle/Pinna)

The visible part of the ear; channels sound waves into the external auditory canal.

Tympanic Membrane (Eardrum)

A thin membrane that acts as a barrier between the outer and middle ear.

Auditory Ossicles

Three small bones (malleus, incus, stapes) linked together that connect the eardrum to the inner ear.

Cochlea

A snail-shaped chamber that contains hair cells, which are stimulated by vibrations and send nerve impulses to the brain.

Tinnitus

A condition characterized by ringing, buzzing, whistling, roaring, hissing, or other sounds in the ear in the absence of external sound.

Axial Skeleton

Consists of the skull, spinal column, and rib cage.

Appendicular Skeleton

Composed of the bones of the shoulders, arms, hands, hips, legs, and feet.

Cartilage

Strong, flexible connective tissue that is smoother than bone and makes movement easier.

Ligament

A band of fibrous, slightly elastic connective tissue that attaches one bone to another.

Tendon

A fibrous cord that attaches muscle to the bone.

Osteoporosis

A condition in which there is a progressive loss of bone tissue, resulting in brittle bones.

Arthritis

The inflammation of a joint.

Smooth Muscles

Muscles that act on the lining of passageways and internal organs.

Cardiac Muscle

A type of striated muscle that forms the wall of the heart.

Communicable disease

A disease that is spread from one living thing to another or through the environment.

Pathogen

An organism that causes disease.

Viruses

Pieces of genetic material surrounded by a protein coat that must invade cells to reproduce.

Bacteria

Single-celled microorganisms that live almost everywhere.

Vectors

An organism (usually an arthropod like a tick or mosquito) that carries and transmits pathogens to humans or other animals.

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, can be caused by chemicals, drugs, alcohol, and pathogens (Hepatitis A, B, and C viruses are common causes).

Jaundice

Yellowing of the skin and eyes, is a common symptom of hepatitis.