Chapter 4

epidermis

outer layer of skin; waterproof layer that functions as protection and contains melanocytes that secrete melanin

demis

deep layer of skin that contains the sweat and oil glands; also contains tiny muscles attached to their hair follicles

subcutaneous layer

layer of loose connective tissue that connects the skin to the surface muscles; contains the blood vessels and fat; also called the hypodermis

adipocytes

fat cells that make up most of the subcutaneous layer

arrector pill muscles

tiny muscles that attach to the hair follicle

hair

keratinized fibers that arise from hair follicles

hair follicle

area from which hair grows; located in the dermis

keratin

protein found in the hair and nails that promotes hardness

keratinocytes

cells found in the epidermal layer of skin that secrete keratin and assist in waterproofing the body

melanocytes

cells that give color to skin, eyes, and hair by secreting the pigment melanin; located in the dermis

nail

translucent plate made of keratin that covers and protects the ends of the fingers and toes

sebaceous glands

glands that secrete oil (sebum) into the hair follicle and onto the epidermis

sebum

oily secretion of the sebaceous gland

sudoriferous glands

glands that secrete sweat and assist in body temperature regulation

adip/o

fat

cry/o

cold

derm/o, dermat/o, cutane/o

skin

hidr/o

sweat

kerat/o

hard

lip/o

fat

myc/o

fungus

necr/o

death

onych/o

nail

pachy/o

thick

py/o

pus

rhytid/o

wrinkle

scler/o

hard

seb/o

sebum (an oily secretion)

trich/o

hair

xer/o

dry

a, an

without, not

epi

on, following

para

beside

per

through

cide

substance that kills

derma

skin

ectomy

excision, surgical removal

itis

inflammation

malacia

softening

pathy

disease

phagia

eating

plasia

formation, growth

plasty

surgical repair, reconstruction

rrhea

flowing, discharge

tome

cutting, instrument

adipose

fat, fatty

atypical

unusual

circumscribed

contained to a specific area

cyanosis

blue discoloration of the skin and other tissues

diaphoresis

profuse sweating

dysplasia

abnormal growth of tissue

erythematous

condition of being red

eschar

blackened area of burned tissue

exfoliation

shedding of dead skin cells

hyperplasia

exessive growth of tissue

indurated

pertaining to an area of hardened tissue

integumentary

pertaining to the skin and accessory structure

pallor

abnormally pale skin coloration

pruritic

pertaining to itching

purulent

containing pus

sebaceous

pertaining to sebum

sudoriferous

pertaining to sweat

turgor

stage of turgidity (fullness) of cells due to fluid absorption

abrasion

injury resulting in removal or disturbance of the superficial layer of the skin

abscess

a circumscribed collection of pus caused by bacterial infection

acne

inflammatory disease of sebaceous glands and hair follicles marked by papules (pimples) and pustules (pimples with pus)

albinism

a group of inherited disorders with deficiency of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes

burn

injury to the skin caused by heat or other means

superficial burn

a burn involving only the epidermis; causes redness and swelling but no blisters (sunburn); commonly called a first degree burn

partial-thickness burn

a burn involving the epidermis and dermis; usually involves blisters; commonly called a second degree burn

full-thickness burn

a burn involving destruction of the entire skin; extends into subcutaneous fat, muscle, and/or bone and often causes severe scarring, commonly called a third degree burn

carbuncle

collection of large localized abscesses usually arising in hair follicles and typically infected with staphylococcus bacteria

cellulitis

inflammation of the subcutaneous connective tissue

cicatrix

the fibrous tissue replacing normal tissue destroyed by disease or injury; commonly called a scar

contusion

injury producing discoloration and swelling without causing a break in the skin; commonly called a bruise

cyst

a closed sac that contains liquid or semisolid material

decubitus ulcer

a pressure sore of the skin and underlying tissue; commonly called a bedsore

dermatome

area of skin supplied by peripheral nerves

eczema

inflammatory condition causing patchy redness, scales, blisters, itchiness, and burning

exocoriation

a scratch mark on the skin

fissure

a deep furrow, cleft, slit, or tear in the skin

furuncle

infection of a hair follicle; commonly called a boil

gangrene

area of necrosis (tissue death) due to lack of blood flow

herpes simplex

an eruption of blisters on the skin caused by local infection of the herpes virus; known as cold sores when they appear on the lips

herpes zoster

an infection caused by the herpes-virus characterized by an eruption of blisters that follows the course of affected peripheral nerves; commonly called shingles

impetigo

a contagious bacterial skin infection typically occurring on the face in children

jaundice

abnormal yellowing of the skin caused by bile accumulation

keloid

an overgrowth of scar tissue

lesion

a pathological change in tissue resulting from disease or injury

macula

a small, flat discolored spot on the skin

nevus

a birthmark or mole on the skin, especially one that is raised and red colored

nodule

solid raised area located in any layer of the skin

pupule

a small, raised, solid circumscribed area of the skin

paronychia

inflammation and infection around the nail due to bacteria or fungi

pediculosis

an infestation of lice

psoriasis

skin condition marked by red, itchy scaly patches primarily on the scalp, knees, elbows, and trunk

pustule

a small circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus

rosacea

chronic disorder of the skin causing erythematous (red areas), pupules, pustules, and increased seburn production; usually occurs on the face

scabies

skin disease with eruptions and itching caused by mites

tinea

fungal infection of the hair, skin, and nails; commonly called ringworm