Dermatology: Skin Disorders, Lesions, and Biopsy Techniques

acne

Inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces pimples on the skin.

albinism

An inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair.

alopecia

Hair loss that results from genetics, normal aging, illness, or drugs used to treat certain diseases.

burns

Injuries to skin tissue caused by prolonged heat contact.

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal injury; erythema, or redness; hyperesthesia, or increased sensitivity, especially to touch; and no blisters.

second-degree burn

Skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal injury, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia.

third-degree burn

Skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed; this type of burn produces severe hyperesthesia or anesthesia (numbness), depending on the degree of nerve damage.

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

cyanosis

Blue or purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to insufficient blood oxygen or poor circulation.

eczema

Acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema, or swelling. Also called dermatitis.

gangrene

Necrosis, or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection.

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar.

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fluid-filled sacs), pustules (small, pus-filled blisters), and crusted-over lesions.

lesions, cancerous

An area of malignant (cancerous) tissue.

basal cell carcinoma

Commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis; seldom metastasizes, or spreads to other sites in the body.

Kaposi's sarcoma

Malignant cancer that causes erythematous (red) or purplish patches in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs and tissues; a disease often seen in patients with AIDS.

melanoma

An irregularly shaped macule (flat, discolored area of skin) that changes color and texture. Classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration.

squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis. This tumor may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells.

lesions, noncancerous

An area of benign (noncancerous) tissue.

cyst

A closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material; develops in a cavity or other structure of the body

fissure

A groove or crack, as in a sore

macule

A small, flat, discolored (brownish or red) lesion on the skin; freckle

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is flat or raised; mole

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than 1 centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer

papule

A solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than 1 centimeter; pimple

polyp

A small, mushroom-like growth, typically benign, that extends from the surface of a mucous membrane

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; abscess

ulcer

An open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane

vesicle

A small, raised skin lesion filled with clear fluid; blister

wheal

A smooth, slightly swollen area that is redder or paler than the surrounding skin; a characteristic of hives

petechia

Round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage (bleeding into the skin).

psoriasis

A chronic disease marked by itchy, erythematous skin with silvery patches

purpura

A purple or brownish-red rash in which blood leaks from vessels into the skin or mucous membranes.

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus, or itching.

scleroderma

A chronic, progressive disease of the skin marked by hardening and shrinking of connective tissue, which causes edema or pain in the muscles or joints.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease, one in which the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues.

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

urticaria

Hives with localized swelling and itching.

varicose veins

Veins that have a twisting appearance due to loss of elasticity. Varicose veins may be deep or superficial (close to the surface). Superficial varicose veins are called 'spider veins.'

vitiligo

Loss of pigment in one or more areas of the skin, creating the appearance of milky-white patches.

wart

A small, hard, benign skin growth caused by a virus.

allergy skin test

Skin test used to identify allergies.

intradermal skin test

Skin test in which different substances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions.

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination.

excisional biopsy

Surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor.

incisional biopsy

Incision (cut) into the tissue for removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination.

exfoliative cytology

Biopsy procedure in which living tissue is scraped and analyzed microscopically for bacteria. The tissue may also be placed in a growth medium to check for fungal infection.

needle biopsy

Biopsy procedure in which a hollow needle removes a core sample of tissue for microscopic examination.

punch biopsy

A biopsy done with a small, circular blade that rotates down through the epidermis and dermis and into the subcutaneous layer, producing a cylindrical core of tissue.

autograft

Surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient's body to another part of the same body.

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid; also known as a lid lift.

cauterization

Destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current. Most commonly used to remove skin tags.

chemical peel

The use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin; common treatment for acne and wrinkle removal.

cryosurgery

Destruction of abnormal tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen; common treatment for warts.

curettage

Removal of tissue by scraping the surface; a common treatment for removal of basal cell tumors.

debridement

Removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing; common treatment for bedsores and burns.

dermabrasion

The use of abrasive materials, such as brushes and sandpaper, to remove layers of skin. Most often used to improve the appearance of acne scars and fine lines around the mouth.

dermatoplasty

Replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body; skin graft.

incision and drainage (I&D)

Procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fluid or an abscess. Commonly used on certain types of lesions.

laser therapy

The use of laser light waves to treat skin conditions. The number of tissue layers being treated determines the wavelength and power of the light beam.

lipectomy

Surgical removal of fat below the skin.

liposuction

Use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin.

Mohs (MOHZ) surgery

Surgical method of treating skin cancer. Thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined under a microscope.

rhytidectomy

Elimination of wrinkles through surgical removal of skin on the face; facelift.

sclerotherapy

Injection of a sclerosing medical solution, such as saline, into varicose veins or spider veins (small varicose veins).

anesthetic

Drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to deaden pain temporarily.

antibiotic

Drug used to fight off or prevent infection.

antifungal

Drug used to fight off fungal infections, such as athlete's foot and ringworm.

antipruritic

Drug used to reduce itching. Itching is a symptom associated with many skin disorders.

antiviral

Drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes.

biologic

Drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques. Biologics work like parts of the immune system.

corticosteroid

Drug used to treat skin conditions linked to autoimmune diseases, such as vasculitis, and inflammatory diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.

immunosuppressant

Drug used to treat certain conditions (such as psoriasis and eczema) by suppressing the immune system.