med term ch. 4

acne

the occurrence of inflamed or infected sebaceous glands in the skin; in particular, a condition characterized by red pimples on the face, prevalent chiefly among teenagers

albinism

a congenital absence of pigment in the skin and hair and the eyes

allergy skin test

your skin is exposed to suspected allergy-causing substances and is then observed for signs of an allergic reaction.

anesthetic

a substance that induces insensitivity to pain.

alopecia

the partial or complete absence of hair from areas of the body where it normally grows; baldness.

antibiotic

a medicine that inhibits the growth of or destroys microorganisms.

antifungal

used to prevent fungal growth; active against fungi.

antipruritic

used to relieve itching.

antiviral

effective against viruses

arrector pili

small muscles attached to hair follicles in mammals

autograft

a graft of tissue from one point to another of the same individual's body

basal cell carcinoma

most common type of skin cancer in humans

basal layer

the innermost layer of the epidermis

biologic

pertaining to biology or to life and living things

biopsy

an examination of tissue removed from a living body to discover the presence, cause, or extent of a disease

blepharoplasty

1. surgical repair or reconstruction of an eyelid.

burns

an injury to the skin or other organic tissue primarily caused by heat or due to radiation, radioactivity, electricity, friction or contact with chemicals

cauterization

to burn with a hot iron or a chemical substance usually to destroy infected tissue

chemical peel

a procedure in which a chemical solution is applied to the skin to remove the top layers

cicatrix

the scar of a healed wound.

collagen

the main structural protein found in skin and other connective tissues, widely used in purified form for cosmetic surgical treatments.

corticosteroid

any of a group of steroid hormones produced in the adrenal cortex or made synthetically. There are two kinds: glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids. They have various metabolic functions and some are used to treat inflammation

cryosurgery

surgery using the local application of intense cold to destroy unwanted tissue.

curettage

the use of a __curette__, especially on the lining of the __uterus__.

cuticle

a protective and waxy or hard layer covering the epidermis of a plant, invertebrate, or shell.

cyanosis

a bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

cyst

in an animal or plant, a thin-walled, hollow organ or cavity containing a liquid secretion; a sac, vesicle, or bladder.

debridement

the removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound.

dermabrasion

the removal of __superficial__ layers of skin with a rapidly __revolving__ __abrasive__ tool, as a technique in cosmetic surgery.

dermatologist

a medical practitioner specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders

dermatology technician

 is a clinical professional who works alongside a physician who specializes in dermatology

dermatoplasty

any surgical operation on the skin, esp skin grafting.

dermis

the thick layer of living tissue below the epidermis which forms the true skin, containing blood capillaries, nerve endings, sweat glands, hair follicles, and other structures.

ecchymosis

a discoloration of the skin resulting from bleeding underneath, typically caused by bruising.

eczema

a medical condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed, with blisters that cause itching and bleeding, sometimes resulting from a reaction to irritation (eczematous dermatitis) but more typically having no obvious external cause.

epidermis

the surface epithelium of the skin, overlying the dermis.

epithelial tissue

a type of body tissue that forms the covering on all internal and external surfaces of your body, lines body cavities and hollow organs and is the major tissue in glands.

excisional biopsy

the process of completely removing a solitary skin lesion

exfoliative cytology

Exfoliative cytology means scraping the surface of a possible skin cancer with a knife and then spreading a small layer of the scrape onto a glass slide so that the cells in the scrape can be stained and looked at under a microscope.

first-degree burn

only affects the epidermis, or outer layer of skin

fissure

split or crack (something) to form a long, narrow opening.

gangrene

localized death and decomposition of body tissue, resulting from either obstructed circulation or bacterial infection.

gland

an organ in the human or animal body which secretes particular chemical substances for use in the body or for discharge into the surroundings.

hair follicles

 structures within your skin that grow your hair

hair shaft

The hard filamentous part of a hair, extending above the skin surface

immunosuppressant

An agent that can suppress or prevent the immune response

impetigo

a contagious bacterial skin infection forming __pustules__ and yellow __crusty__ __sores__.

incision and drainage (I&D)

the primary treatment for skin and soft tissue abscesses, with or without adjunctive antibiotic therapy.

incisional biopsy

when a small cut (incision) is made into an area of abnormal tissue and a small piece of it is removed from the body

integumentary system

the largest organ of the body that forms a physical barrier between the external environment and the internal environment that it serves to protect and maintain

intradermal skin test

 another method of skin testing to help determine whether an individual is allergic to a specific allergen

Kaposi’s sarcoma

a cancer that causes patches of abnormal tissue to grow under the skin, in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat, in lymph nodes, or in other organs

keloid

an area of irregular fibrous tissue formed at the site of a scar or injury.

keratin

a fibrous protein forming the main structural constituent of hair, feathers, hoofs, claws, horns, etc.

laser therapy

a medical treatment that uses a strong beam of light to cut, burn, or destroy tissue

lesions, cancerous

lesions which may form and develop in the bone but have the capacity to spread to other areas of the body and continue to grow

lipectomy

the excision of subcutaneous fatty tissue especially as a cosmetic surgical procedure.

lipids

any of a class of organic compounds that are fatty acids or their derivatives and are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents. They include many natural oils, waxes, and steroids.

lipocytes

a fat-storing cell found in the liver.

liposuction

a technique in cosmetic surgery for removing excess fat from under the skin by suction

lunula

the white area at the base of a fingernail

macule

a flat, distinct, discolored area of skin

malignant melanoma

a common skin cancer that arises from the melanin cells within the upper layer of the skin (epidermis) or from similar cells that may be found in moles (nevi)

melanin

a dark brown to black pigment occurring in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye in people and animals. It is responsible for tanning of skin exposed to sunlight.

melanocytes

a mature melanin-forming cell, especially in the skin

Mohs surgery

a method for treating skin cancer lesions

mucous membrane

an epithelial tissue which secretes mucus, and lines many body cavities and tubular organs including the gut and respiratory passages.

nail plate

The hard, outer surface of the nail composed of keratinized squamous cells, which arise from the proximal nail fold

nail root

 the portion of the nail found under the surface of the skin at the near (or proximal) end of the nail

nails

a horny covering on the upper surface of the tip of the finger and toe in humans and other primates.

needle biopsy

a procedure to obtain a sample of cells from your body for laboratory testing

nevus

a birthmark or a mole on the skin, especially a birthmark in the form of a raised red patch.

nodule

a small swelling or aggregation of cells in the body, especially an abnormal one.

oral drugs

 a method of taking substances through the mouth

papule

a small, raised, solid pimple or swelling, often forming part of a rash on the skin and typically inflamed but not producing pus.

perspiration

the process of sweating.

petechia

a minute reddish or purplish spot containing blood that appears in skin or mucous membrane as a result of localized hemorrhage.

polyp

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a small growth, usually benign and with a stalk, protruding from a mucous membrane.

psoriasis

a chronic (long-lasting) disease in which the immune system becomes overactive, causing skin cells to multiply too quickly.

punch biopsy

a diagnostic test where a small, tube-shaped piece of skin and some other tissue underneath are removed using a sharp cutting tool

purpura

a rash of purple spots on the skin caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels.

pustule

a small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus.

rhytidectomy

a surgical procedure aiming to reposition facial soft tissues to achieve a more youthful and harmonious appearance

scabies

a contagious skin disease marked by itching and small raised red spots, caused by the itch mite.

scleroderma

a chronic hardening and contraction of the skin and connective tissue, either locally or throughout the body.

sclerotherapy

a treatment for varicose veins in which blood flow is diverted and the veins collapsed by injection of a hardening solution, also used cosmetically in spider veins to eliminate discoloration.

scratch test

a test for allergic susceptibility made by rubbing an extract of an allergy-producing substance into small breaks or scratches in the skin 

sebaceous glands

a small gland in the skin which secretes a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair.

sebum

an oily secretion of the sebaceous glands.

second-degree burn

This type of burn affects both the epidermis and the second layer of skin (dermis)

squamous cell carcinoma

cancer that occurs in the outermost part of the epidermis (skin surface) or the surface of certain portions of the body (areas of the head and neck or genitalia) known as squamous cells.

stratified squamous epithelium

a stratified epithelium in which the topmost layer is made up of squamous (flattened and scale-like) epithelial cells

subcutaneous layer

the layer of tissue that underlies the skin.

sweat glands

a small gland that secretes sweat, situated in the dermis of the skin. Such glands are found over most of the body, and have a simple coiled tubular structure.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own tissues, causing widespread inflammation and tissue damage in the affected organs

third-degree burn

This type of burn destroys the outer layer of skin (epidermis) and the entire layer beneath (the dermis).

tinea

technical term for ringworm.

topical drugs

a medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body

transdermal drugs

substances that are absorbed through the skin

ulcer

an open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane that fails to heal.