med term ch4

acne

inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hair follicles

Albinism

an inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair

allergy skin test

A 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 that fights or prevents bacterial infections

antifungal

A drug used to fight off fungal infections

antipruritic

drug used to inhibit itching

antiviral

a drug used to treat viral infections

arrector pili

bundles of small muscle fibers

autograft

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

basa cell carcinoma

a commonly slow growing malignant tumor on the basal cell level of the epidermis that typically does not metastasize

basal layer

deepest layer of epidermis

biologic

drug that works like parts of the immune system by disrupting the autoimmune response that occurs in certain diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis

biopsy

the removal of living tissue from the body for diagnostic examination

bleparoplasty

plastic surgery of the eyelid

burns

injury to tissues caused by heat contact

cauterization

destruction of tissue by burning

chemical peel

chemical removal of the outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses; also called chemabrasion

cicatrix

normal scar from a healing wound

collagen

a fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

Corticosteroids

a hormone like drug used as an anti inflammatory and/or immunosuppressant

cryosurgery

A surgical procedure in which infected or abnormal cells or tissues are frozen in order to destroy or remove them.

curettege

removal of tissue by scraping the surface

Cuticle

A narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail.

cyanosis

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

cyst

sac containing fluid

debridement

removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound

dermabrasion

procedure to remove skin scars with abrasive material

dermatologist

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

dermatology technician

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

dermatoplasty

The replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body.

dermis

the layer of skin 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, or swelling.

Epidermis

outermost layer of skin

epithelial tissue

A body tissue that covers the surfaces of the body, inside and out

excisional biopsy

surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor

exfoliative cytology

scraping cells from tissue and then examining them under a microscope

first degree burn

Superficial burns through only the epidermis.

fissure

an opening; a groove; a split

gangrene

death of tissue associated with loss of blood supply

gland

A cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select substances within or out of the body.

hair follicles

tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows

hair shaft

the nongrowing portion of a hair that protrudes from the skin, from the follicle

immunosuppressant

a substance that prevents or reduces the body's normal immune response

impetigo

bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture

incision and drainage (I&D)

surgical cut made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a lesion, wound, or cavity

incisional biopsy

biopsy procedure in which an incision is made into living tissue, and a small piece is removed for microscopic examination

integumentary system

skin, hair, nails

intradermal skin test

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

kaposis sarcoma

malignant tumor of the blood vessels associated with AIDS

keloid

overgrowth of scar tissue

keratin

hard protein material found in the epidermis, hair, and nails

laser therapy

Removal of skin lesions and birthmarks using a laser beam that emits intense heat and power at a close range. The laser converts frequencies of light into one small, powerful beam.

lesions, cancerous

an area of malignant tissue

lipectomy

removal of fatty tissue

lipids

Energy-rich organic compounds, such as fats, oils, and waxes, that are made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.

lipocytes

fat cells

liposuction

the surgical removal of fat beneath the skin with the aid of suction

lunula

The half-moon-shaped, whitish area at the base of a nail

macule

freckle

malignant melanoma

cancerous growth composed of melanocytes

melanin

A pigment that gives the skin its color

melanocytes

cells that produce melanin

mohs surgery

technique of microscopically controlled serial excisions of a skin cancer

mucous membrane

Membrane that secretes mucus that lubricates the surface of organs and keeps them moist.

nail plate

hard part of the nail

nail root

fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin

nails

protective coverings on the ends of the fingers and toes

needle biopsy

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

nevus

pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole

nodule

solid, round or oval elevated lesion 1 cm or more in diameter

oral drugs

given by mouth

papule

pimple

perspiration

sweat

petechia

pinpoint skin hemorrhage

polyp

growth extending from the surface of mucous membrane

psoriasis

chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales

punch biopsy

removal of a small core of tissue using a hollow punch

purpura

the appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin

pustule

elevation of skin containing pus

rhytidectomy

surgical removal of wrinkles

scabies

contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite

scleroderma

hardening of the skin

sclerotherapy

treatment of spider veins by injecting a saline sclerosing solution into the vein

scratch test

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

sebaceous glands

oil glands

sebum

oil

second degree burn

a burn involving the epidermis and the dermis; characterized by erythema, hyperesthesia, and vesications (blisters)

squamous cell carcinoma

Type of skin cancer more serious than basal cell carcinoma; often characterized by scaly red papules or nodules.

stratisfied squamous epithelium

protection of the skin

subcutaneous layer

innermost layer of the skin, containing fat tissue

sweat glands

The glands that secrete sweat, located in the dermal layer of the skin.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease involving joints, skin, kidneys, central nervous system (CNS), heart, and lungs

third degree burn

a burn involving all layers of the skin; characterized by the destruction of the epidermis and dermis, with damage or destruction of subcutaneous tissue

tinea

fungal infection of the skin

topical drugs

drugs that are applied to the skin

transdermal drugs

Travel through skin and into bloodstream

ulcer

open sore or lesion in the skin or mucous membrane