Ch. 4 Terms

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.

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allergy skin test alopecia 

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

alopecia

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

anesthetic

anesthetic or anesthesia to prevent pain in an area near a nerve.

antibiotic

Drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections.

antifungal

Drug that fights fungal infections, such as a yeast infection or athlete’s foot.

antipruritic

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

antiviral

Drug used to treat viral infections (for example, hepatitis).

arrector pili

muscles contract, causing the hair on your skin to stand erect. The result is goose bumps on your skin.

autograft

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

basal cell carcinoma

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

basal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis that is constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface.

biologic

Drug that works like parts of the immune system by disrupting the autoimmune response that occurs in certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Biologics are created from living organisms using molecular biology techniques.

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine the presence of disease.

blepharoplasty

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

burns

Injuries to skin tissue caused by prolonged heat contact.

cauterization

chemical peel

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).

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

collagen

a fibrous pro tein found in skin

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

s 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

fluid sac; bladder

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 fi ne lines around the mouth.

dermatologist

a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails.

dermatology technician

is a specialized medical assistant who works in the skin-care field.

dermatoplasty

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

dermis

The dermis, also called the corium, lies directly below the epidermis.

ecchymosis

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

eczema

Acute or chronic inflammatory 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

forms the skin covering the surface of the body.

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

is a deep, narrow, slit-like opening.

gangrene

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

gland

 a cluster of cells that secretes hormones into the body.

hair follicles

The hair follicles are tiny secretory (suh-KREE-toh-ree) cavities from which hair grows.

hair shaft

the visible part of the hair that sticks out of the skin

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, fluid- filled sacs); pustules (small, pus-filled blisters); and crusted-over lesions.

incision and drainage (I&D)

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

incisional biopsy

ncision (cut) into the tissue for removal of a small piece of living tissue for examination microscopically.

integumentary system

protecting your body from bacteria, infection, injury and sunlight.

intradermal skin test

A test in which different sub- stances 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

helps form hair, nails and your skin's outer layer (epidermis)

laser therapy

Procedure in which an ultraviolet laser is used to correct refraction errors such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism

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

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

is responsible for the skin’s pigmentation, or color.

melanocytes

surround the core of each hair shaft.

Mohs surgery

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

mucous membrane

lubricates and protects these organs and cavities from abrasive particles and bodily fluids, as well as invasive pathogens.

nail plate

or nail body, is the hard, transltcent 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

procedure in which a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample of tissue for microscopic examination. See Figure 3.11 in

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

are given by mouth. Depending on the type of drug, they may be swallowed, chewed, or dissolved under the tongue.

papule

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

perspiration

This process helps regulate the body’s internal temperature.

petechia

Round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage

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

making tissue samples of lumps or suspicious areas.

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; abscess

rhytidectomy

 to rejuvenate the face, specifically by resuspending ptotic soft tissues in order to alleviate classic signs of aging:

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

Skin test in which the forearm is scratched with tiny needles (lancets) and a variety of substances are applied to the skin to identify allergies. These substances include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and chemicals in food.

sebaceous glands

are located in the dermal layer of the skin over the entire body,

sebum

lubricates the skin to protect against friction and makes it more impervious to moisture

second-degree burn

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

squamous cell carcinoma

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

stratified squamous epithelium

protection against microorganisms from invading underlying tissue and/or protection against water loss.

**subcutaneous layer**

is the deepest layer of the skin. Situated below the dermis,

sweat glands

are tiny, coiled glands located in the dermis. They are found on almost all exterior body surfaces.

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.

transdermal drugs

travel through the skin and into the bloodstream.

ulcer

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