CH 4 Med term words

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.

allergy skin test

Skin test used to identify allergies.

alopecia

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

anesthetic

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

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 inhibit itching. Itching is a symptom associated with many skin disorders.

antiviral

Drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes.

arrector pili

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

autograft

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

basal cell carcinoma

Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; often characterized by light or pearly nodules.

basal layer

makes up the deep- est layer of the epidermis. This layer is constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface.

biologic

Drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques. Biologics work like parts of the immune system. They can disrupt the autoimmune response that occurs in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

biopsy

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

blepharoplasty

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

Injuries to skin tissue caused by prolonged heat contact.

cauterization

Destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current. Most commonly used to remove skin tags (common skin growths that typically are benign, "stick out of" the skin, and are connected to the skin's surface by a short, narrow stalk).

chemical peel

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

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

collagen

a fi brous pro- tein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. Connective tissue gives skin its shape, strength, and elasticity. The word collagen comes from the Greek word kolla, which means "glue."

corticosteroid

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

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.

cuticle

is a narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail, at the base and sides of the nail plate.

cyanosis

The appearance of a blue or purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to insufficient blood oxygen or poor circulation. Many circulatory and respiratory conditions produce cyanosis.

cyst

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

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.

dermatologist

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

dermatology technician

Performs a variety of clinical and/or administrative tasks within the dermatology office.

dermatoplasty

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

dermis

lies directly below the epidermis. The dermis is made up of con- nective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve fi bers, hair follicles, and sebaceous and sweat glands.

ecchymosis

Black-and-blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin.

eczema

Acute or chronic infl ammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema (uh-DEE-muh), or swelling. Also called dermatitis. May occur alone or in conjunction with another disease.

epidermis

forms the outermost layer of the skin.

epithelial tissue

Tissue that covers outside of the body and lines organs and cavities.

excisional biopsy

Surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor.

exfoliative cytology

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

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions; erythema (EER-ih- THEE-muh), or redness; hyperesthesia (HIGH-per-es-THEE-zee-uh), or increased sensitivity, especially to touch; and no blisters.

fissure

A groove or crack, as in a sore

gangrene

Necrosis (nuh-KROH-sis), or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection

gland

is a cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select substances within or out of the body. Two types of glands—sebaceous and sweat glands—are found in the skin.

hair follicles

the sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers

hair shaft

Each strand of hair grows from a root in the follicle. Melanocytes surround the core of each hair shaft.

immunosuppressant

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

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fl uid- fi lled sacs); pustules (small, pus-fi lled blisters); and crusted-over lesions.

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.

incisional biopsy

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

integumentary system

Consists of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nail

intradermal skin test

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

Kaposi's sarcoma

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

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar

keratin

a fibrous, water-repellent protein. Soft keratin is the primary substance of the epidermis. Hard keratin is found in hair and nails.

laser therapy

The use of laser light waves to treat skin conditions. The wavelength and power of the light beam are determined by the number of tissue layers being treated. Commonly used to remove discolorations of the skin, including birthmarks, tattoos, and lesions.

lesions, cancerous

An area of malignant (cancerous) tissue.

lipectomy

Surgical removal of fat below the skin.

lipids

are a group of organic compounds that consist of fat, are greasy to the touch, and are insoluble (incapable of dissolving in water).

lipocytes

or cells that manufacture and store fat.

liposuction

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

lunula

is the semilunar (half-moon-shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail. The lunula is generally most prominent in the thumbnail.

macule

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

malignant melanoma

Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes; begins as an irregularly shaped macule (fl at, discolored area of skin) and then changes color and texture. Classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration.

melanin

Melanin is responsible for the skin's pigmentation, or color. Melanin also helps protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

melanocytes

Hard keratin is found in hair and nails. Special cells called melanocytes (MEL-uh-noh-sights) are also found in the epidermis.

Mohs surgery

Surgical method of treating skin cancer. Thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined under a microscope. The process continues until there is no evidence of the tumor.

mucous membrane

which protectively lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world

nail plate

is the hard, translucent part of the nail. It is closely molded to the surface of the underlying tissue.

nail root

s the area of the dermis on which the nail rests. It fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin.

nails

are made of hard keratin. Fingernails cover the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger, and toenails cover the superior surface of each toe

needle biopsy

Biopsy procedure in which a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample of tissue for microscopic examination.

nevus

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

nodule

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

oral drugs

the most commonly used route of admin. it is usually the most convenient and comfortable for the pt. drug action has a slower onset and a more prolonged, but less potent, effect.

papule

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

perspiration

The sweat, or perspiration, secreted by the sweat glands contains 99 percent water and 1 percent salt and metabolic waste products.

petechia

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

polyp

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

psoriasis

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

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

purpura

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

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; absces

rhytidectomy

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

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus (proo-RIGHT- tis), 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.

sclerotherapy

Injection of a sclerosing (skleer-OH-sing) medical solution, such as saline, into varicose veins or spider veins (small varicose veins). The solution irritates the tissue, causing it to swell and to close off small veins. The small veins then harden, shrink, and dissolve over a period of weeks.

scratch test

type of allergy testing in which body is exposed to allergens through a light scratch in skin

sebaceous glands

are located in the dermal layer of the skin over the entire body, except for the palms (hands) and the soles (feet). As you learned in the discussion of the dermis, sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which contains lipids.

sebum

As you learned in the discussion of the dermis, sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum, which contains lipids.

second-degree burn

Skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia

squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis. This tumor may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells (for example, the mouth, lungs, or cervix).

stratified squamous epithelium

The upper layer of the epidermis consists of the stratifi ed squamous epithelium.

subcutaneous layer

is the deepest layer of the skin. Situated below the dermis, the subcutaneous layer connects the skin to the surface muscles.

sweat glands

are tiny, coiled glands located in the dermis. They are found on almost all exterior body surfaces. Sweat glands extend up through the epidermis,

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, infl ammatory 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.

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

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

topical drugs

are applied directly to the area of concern and are intended to affect only that area. Topical medications come in different forms: creams, lotions, gels, ointments, foams, and shampoos.

transdermal drugs

travel through the skin and into the bloodstream. The transdermal patch is a medicated adhesive patch applied to the skin to ease pain or to promote healing of a sore or injury. The patch slowly releases a specific dose of medication.

ulcer

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