Skin, Hair, and Nails Assessment – Vocabulary Review

0.0(0)
studied byStudied by 0 people
GameKnowt Play
learnLearn
examPractice Test
spaced repetitionSpaced Repetition
heart puzzleMatch
flashcardsFlashcards
Card Sorting

1/49

flashcard set

Earn XP

Description and Tags

These flashcards present essential vocabulary related to the anatomy, assessment, and common disorders of the skin, hair, and nails to aid exam preparation.

Study Analytics
Name
Mastery
Learn
Test
Matching
Spaced

No study sessions yet.

50 Terms

1
New cards

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin that is completely replaced every 3–4 weeks; contains melanin- and keratin-forming cells and determines skin color.

2
New cards

Dermis

Vascular, supportive skin layer made mainly of collagen and elastic tissue; provides strength and resilience.

3
New cards

Subcutaneous Layer

Loose connective tissue below the dermis that stores fat for energy, provides insulation, and cushions underlying structures.

4
New cards

Sebaceous Gland

Oil gland attached to hair follicles (except on palms and soles) that secretes sebum to waterproof skin and hair.

5
New cards

Sebum

Oily substance produced by sebaceous glands that lubricates and waterproofs skin and hair.

6
New cards

Eccrine Sweat Gland

Widely distributed sweat gland involved in thermoregulation by secreting dilute sweat directly onto skin surface.

7
New cards

Apocrine Sweat Gland

Sweat gland in axillae, perineum, and areolae; secretion interacts with skin bacteria to produce body odor.

8
New cards

Vellus Hair

Short, fine, pale hair covering most of the body.

9
New cards

Terminal Hair

Long, coarse, pigmented hair of scalp, eyebrows, and areas affected by puberty such as axillae and pubic region.

10
New cards

Nail Plate

Hard, transparent plate of keratinized epidermal cells forming the visible part of the nail.

11
New cards

Melanoma

Most serious skin cancer; strongly linked to sun/UV exposure and can metastasize rapidly.

12
New cards

Basal Cell Carcinoma

Most common skin cancer, often on sun-exposed trunk or legs; usually slow growing and locally invasive.

13
New cards

Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Skin cancer common on chronically sun-exposed areas; can grow faster than basal cell carcinoma.

14
New cards

ABCDE Mnemonic

Assessment guide for pigmented lesions: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter (>6 mm), Elevation/Evolution.

15
New cards

Braden Scale

Tool that scores sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction/shear to predict pressure-ulcer risk.

16
New cards

Pressure Ulcer – Stage 1

Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema; may feel painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler than adjacent tissue.

17
New cards

Pressure Ulcer – Stage 2

Partial-thickness loss of dermis; presents as a shallow open ulcer or an intact/ruptured serum-filled blister.

18
New cards

Pressure Ulcer – Stage 3

Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat; bone, tendon, or muscle not exposed; may have slough, undermining.

19
New cards

Pressure Ulcer – Stage 4

Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed or palpable bone, tendon, or muscle; often includes slough, eschar, tunneling.

20
New cards

Pallor

Loss of normal pink or red tones, appearing pale/ashen; seen in anemia or arterial insufficiency.

21
New cards

Erythema

Redness and warmth of skin due to inflammation, fever, or allergic reaction.

22
New cards

Cyanosis

Bluish discoloration of skin or mucosa from decreased oxygenation; may be peripheral or central.

23
New cards

Jaundice

Yellow discoloration of skin, sclera, and mucosa resulting from elevated bilirubin, often in hepatic dysfunction.

24
New cards

Macule

Flat, circumscribed skin discoloration <1 cm (e.g., freckle).

25
New cards

Patch

Flat, circumscribed discoloration >1 cm (e.g., vitiligo patch).

26
New cards

Papule

Superficial, solid, elevated lesion ≤0.5 cm (e.g., wart).

27
New cards

Plaque

Flat-topped, elevated, solid lesion >1 cm (e.g., psoriasis plaque).

28
New cards

Nodule

Solid, elevated lesion >1 cm that may extend deeper into dermis (e.g., fibroma).

29
New cards

Vesicle

Circular collection of free fluid <1 cm (e.g., chickenpox blister).

30
New cards

Bulla

Circumscribed fluid-filled lesion >1 cm (e.g., burn blister).

31
New cards

Pustule

Vesicle or bulla containing purulent fluid (e.g., acne pustule).

32
New cards

Wheal

Transient, edematous, elevated plaque that often itches; typical of urticaria (hives).

33
New cards

Scale

Flakes or plates of compacted stratum corneum indicating epidermal thickening (e.g., dandruff).

34
New cards

Crust

Dried serum, blood, or exudate on skin surface (e.g., scab).

35
New cards

Excoriation

Linear erosion caused by scratching.

36
New cards

Fissure

Linear crack in skin extending into dermis (e.g., athlete’s foot fissure).

37
New cards

Erosion

Superficial loss of epidermis; heals without scarring.

38
New cards

Ulcer

Deep loss of epidermis and dermis; often scars upon healing.

39
New cards

Lichenification

Thickened, leathery skin from chronic rubbing or scratching.

40
New cards

Atrophy (Skin)

Thinning of skin with loss of normal markings; may appear shiny or translucent.

41
New cards

Telangiectasia

Visible small dilated blood vessels on the skin surface.

42
New cards

Cherry Angioma

Small, bright-red vascular papule common with aging; composed of dilated capillaries.

43
New cards

Spider Angioma

Central red arteriole with radiating capillaries; blanches with pressure.

44
New cards

Hemangioma

Benign, often congenital vascular tumor appearing as rubbery, bright-red lesion.

45
New cards

Hirsutism

Excess terminal hair growth in a male pattern on females, often due to endocrine disorders or steroids.

46
New cards

Tinea Capitis

Fungal scalp infection (ringworm) causing patchy hair loss and scaling.

47
New cards

Capillary Refill

Time for nail bed color to return after blanching; normal is <2 seconds, indicating adequate peripheral perfusion.

48
New cards

Spoon Nails (Koilonychia)

Concave, thin nails commonly associated with iron-deficiency anemia.

49
New cards

Clubbing

Nail angle >180° with spongy nail base, often linked to chronic hypoxia or cardiopulmonary disease.

50
New cards

Splinter Hemorrhage

Linear red-brown streaks under nails; classic sign of infective endocarditis.