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These flashcards present essential vocabulary related to the anatomy, assessment, and common disorders of the skin, hair, and nails to aid exam preparation.
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Epidermis
Outer layer of skin that is completely replaced every 3–4 weeks; contains melanin- and keratin-forming cells and determines skin color.
Dermis
Vascular, supportive skin layer made mainly of collagen and elastic tissue; provides strength and resilience.
Subcutaneous Layer
Loose connective tissue below the dermis that stores fat for energy, provides insulation, and cushions underlying structures.
Sebaceous Gland
Oil gland attached to hair follicles (except on palms and soles) that secretes sebum to waterproof skin and hair.
Sebum
Oily substance produced by sebaceous glands that lubricates and waterproofs skin and hair.
Eccrine Sweat Gland
Widely distributed sweat gland involved in thermoregulation by secreting dilute sweat directly onto skin surface.
Apocrine Sweat Gland
Sweat gland in axillae, perineum, and areolae; secretion interacts with skin bacteria to produce body odor.
Vellus Hair
Short, fine, pale hair covering most of the body.
Terminal Hair
Long, coarse, pigmented hair of scalp, eyebrows, and areas affected by puberty such as axillae and pubic region.
Nail Plate
Hard, transparent plate of keratinized epidermal cells forming the visible part of the nail.
Melanoma
Most serious skin cancer; strongly linked to sun/UV exposure and can metastasize rapidly.
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Most common skin cancer, often on sun-exposed trunk or legs; usually slow growing and locally invasive.
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Skin cancer common on chronically sun-exposed areas; can grow faster than basal cell carcinoma.
ABCDE Mnemonic
Assessment guide for pigmented lesions: Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color variation, Diameter (>6 mm), Elevation/Evolution.
Braden Scale
Tool that scores sensory perception, moisture, activity, mobility, nutrition, friction/shear to predict pressure-ulcer risk.
Pressure Ulcer – Stage 1
Intact skin with non-blanchable erythema; may feel painful, firm, soft, warmer or cooler than adjacent tissue.
Pressure Ulcer – Stage 2
Partial-thickness loss of dermis; presents as a shallow open ulcer or an intact/ruptured serum-filled blister.
Pressure Ulcer – Stage 3
Full-thickness tissue loss with visible subcutaneous fat; bone, tendon, or muscle not exposed; may have slough, undermining.
Pressure Ulcer – Stage 4
Full-thickness tissue loss with exposed or palpable bone, tendon, or muscle; often includes slough, eschar, tunneling.
Pallor
Loss of normal pink or red tones, appearing pale/ashen; seen in anemia or arterial insufficiency.
Erythema
Redness and warmth of skin due to inflammation, fever, or allergic reaction.
Cyanosis
Bluish discoloration of skin or mucosa from decreased oxygenation; may be peripheral or central.
Jaundice
Yellow discoloration of skin, sclera, and mucosa resulting from elevated bilirubin, often in hepatic dysfunction.
Macule
Flat, circumscribed skin discoloration <1 cm (e.g., freckle).
Patch
Flat, circumscribed discoloration >1 cm (e.g., vitiligo patch).
Papule
Superficial, solid, elevated lesion ≤0.5 cm (e.g., wart).
Plaque
Flat-topped, elevated, solid lesion >1 cm (e.g., psoriasis plaque).
Nodule
Solid, elevated lesion >1 cm that may extend deeper into dermis (e.g., fibroma).
Vesicle
Circular collection of free fluid <1 cm (e.g., chickenpox blister).
Bulla
Circumscribed fluid-filled lesion >1 cm (e.g., burn blister).
Pustule
Vesicle or bulla containing purulent fluid (e.g., acne pustule).
Wheal
Transient, edematous, elevated plaque that often itches; typical of urticaria (hives).
Scale
Flakes or plates of compacted stratum corneum indicating epidermal thickening (e.g., dandruff).
Crust
Dried serum, blood, or exudate on skin surface (e.g., scab).
Excoriation
Linear erosion caused by scratching.
Fissure
Linear crack in skin extending into dermis (e.g., athlete’s foot fissure).
Erosion
Superficial loss of epidermis; heals without scarring.
Ulcer
Deep loss of epidermis and dermis; often scars upon healing.
Lichenification
Thickened, leathery skin from chronic rubbing or scratching.
Atrophy (Skin)
Thinning of skin with loss of normal markings; may appear shiny or translucent.
Telangiectasia
Visible small dilated blood vessels on the skin surface.
Cherry Angioma
Small, bright-red vascular papule common with aging; composed of dilated capillaries.
Spider Angioma
Central red arteriole with radiating capillaries; blanches with pressure.
Hemangioma
Benign, often congenital vascular tumor appearing as rubbery, bright-red lesion.
Hirsutism
Excess terminal hair growth in a male pattern on females, often due to endocrine disorders or steroids.
Tinea Capitis
Fungal scalp infection (ringworm) causing patchy hair loss and scaling.
Capillary Refill
Time for nail bed color to return after blanching; normal is <2 seconds, indicating adequate peripheral perfusion.
Spoon Nails (Koilonychia)
Concave, thin nails commonly associated with iron-deficiency anemia.
Clubbing
Nail angle >180° with spongy nail base, often linked to chronic hypoxia or cardiopulmonary disease.
Splinter Hemorrhage
Linear red-brown streaks under nails; classic sign of infective endocarditis.