Med terms

terms

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

A drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain.

antibiotic

A drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections.

antifungal

A drug used to fight off fungal infections.

antipruritic

A drug used to inhibit itching.

antiviral

A drug used to treat viral infections.

arrector pili

Bundles of small muscle fibers.

autograft

The 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 that typically does not metastasize.

basal layer

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

biologic

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

blepharoplasty

plastic surgery of the eyelid.

burns

injury to tissues caused by heat contact

cauterization

Destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current.

chemical peel

The use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin.

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

collagen

A fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

corticosteroid

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.

curettage

The removal of tissue by scraping the surface.

cuticle

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

cyanosis

A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, caused by decreased circulation of oxygen-rich blood.

cyst

A closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fl uid or semisolid material that develops in a cavity or other structure of the body.

debridement

The removal of damaged tissue and for- eign debris to prevent infection and promote healing.

dermabrasion

The use of abrasive materials to remove layers of skin.

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

skin

ecchymosis

eczema

Acute or chronic infl ammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema, or swelling.

epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

epithelial tissue

Body tissue that forms the skin covering the surface of the body, lines the internal organs, and makes up certain glands.

excisional biopsy

The surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor.

exfoliative cytology

A biopsy in which living tissue is scraped.

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superfi - cial epidermal lesions.

fissure

groove or crack; (2) A sore; (3) A deep, narrow, slit-like opening in a bone.

gangrene

Necrosis, or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection.

gland

A cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select sub- stances within or out of the body.

hair follicles

Tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows.

hair shaft

The portion of hair that projects above the epidermis

immunosuppressant

A drug that prevents or reduces the body's normal reactions to invasion and which is used to prevent the rejection of donor tissue or to treat autoimmune disorders.

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fl uid-fi lled sacs), pustules (small, pus-fi lled blisters), and crusted-over lesions.

incision and drainage (I&D)

A procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fl uid or an abscess.

incisional biopsy

A biopsy procedure in which an inci- sion is made into living tissue, and a small piece is removed for microscopic examination.

integumentary system

The body system that is com- posed of the skin and its accessories, and which protects the body by functioning as a physical barrier, regulates temperature and fl uid control, produces vitamin D, and provides sensory information.

intradermal skin test

A test in which different sub- stances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions.

Kaposi's sarcoma

a disease in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, including the stomach and intestines.

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar.

keratin

(KEER-uh-tin): A fi brous, water-repellent protein.

laser therapy

The surgical or therapeutic use of devices that generate concentrated beams of light.

lesions, cancerous

An area of malignant (cancerous) tissue

lipectomy

The surgical removal of fat below the skin.

lipids

A group of organic compounds that lubricate the skin and minimize water loss.

lipocytes

Cells that manufacture and store fat.

liposuction

The use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin.

lunula

The semilunar (half-moon- shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail.

macule

An oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina, which contains specialized, high-density cones that

malignant melanoma

A cancerous growth composed of melanocytes that begins as an irregularly shaped macule and then changes color and texture; classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration.

melanin

Pigment responsible for the skin's color and which also helps protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

melanocytes

Cells located in the epidermis that contain and produce dark brown-to- black pigments called melanin.

Mohs surgery

A surgical method for treating skin cancer; thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined, the process continuing until there is no evidence of the tumor.

mucous membrane

A thin, pliable layer of tissue that lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world (for example, the nasal passage).

nail plate

The hard, translucent part of the nail.

nail root

The area of the dermis on which the nail rests.

nails

Accessory organs of the skin that are made of hard keratin.

needle biopsy

A biopsy procedure in which a needle is used to remove a tissue sample for microscopic examination.

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is fl at or raised; also called a mole

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer.

oral drugs

given by mouth

papule

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

perspiration

The fluid excreted by sweat glands; also known as sweat

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

A biopsy in which a rotating blade is used to produce a cylindrical core of tissue.

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

The elimination of wrinkles by surgically removing skin from the face.

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus, 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

The injection of a medical solution such as saline into varicose veins or spider veins to remove these veins.

scratch test

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

sebaceous glands

Glands that secrete sebum and are located in the dermal layer of the skin.

sebum

an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair.

second-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia.

squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis; may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells.

stratified squamous

epithelium

The upper layer of the epidermis.

subcutaneous layer

The deepest layer of the skin.

sweat glands

Tiny, coiled glands that secrete sweat (perspiration) and are located in the dermis.

systemic lupus

erythematosus (SLE)

chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of collagen in skin, joints, and internal organs

third-degree burn

A skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed.

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

topical drugs

applied locally to the skin or membranous linings of the eye, ear, nose, respiratory tract, urinary tract, vagina, and rectum