Ch 4 Terms

Acne

Inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces pimples on the skin

Albinism

Absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and eyes

Allergy skin test

skin test used to identify allergies

Alopecia

hair loss

Anesthetic

drug that prevents pain during surgery

Antibiotic

A chemical that kills bacteria or slows their growth without harming body cells.

Antifungal

a drug that kills or prevents the growth of fungi

Antipruritic

a drug that prevents or relieves itching

Antiviral

acting to make a virus ineffective

Arrector Pili

smooth muscle attached to follicle, responsible for "goose bumps"

Autograft

skin transplant taken from a different place on the patient's body

Basal cell carcinoma

Most common and least severe type of skin cancer; often characterized by light or pearly nodules.

Basal layer

deepest region of the epidermis; it gives rise to all the epidermal cells

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

Blepharoplasty

surgical repair of the eyelid

Burns

tissue damage and cell death caused by heat, electricity, UV radiation, or chemicals

Cauterization

destruction of tissue with a hot or cold instrument, electric current, or caustic substance

Chemical peel

use of chemicals to remove outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses as well as cosmetic purposes to remove fine wrinkles on the face; also called chemabrasion

Cicatrix

a normal scar resulting from the healing of a wound

Collagen

structural protein found in the skin and connective tissue

Corticosteroid

stress hormone that activates the body and prepares us to respond to stressful circumstances

Cryosurgery

destruction of tissue by using extreme cold, often by using liquid nitrogen

Curettage

use of a sharp dermal curette to scrape away a skin lesion

Cuticle

The waxy, waterproof layer that covers the leaves and stems of most plants.

Cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin

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, such as sandpaper

Dermatologist

a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin

Dermatology Technician

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

Dermatoplasty

surgical repair of the skin

Dermis

Inner layer of skin

Ecchymosis

large bruise

Eczema

noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching

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

A mild burn characterized by heat, pain, and reddening of the burned surface but not exhibiting blistering or charring of tissues.

Fissure

an opening; a groove; a split

Gangrene

death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion

Gland

An organ that produces and releases chemicals either through ducts or into the bloodstream.

Hair follicles

The small organs that produce hair.

Hair shaft

The portion of hair that projects above the epidermis

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

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

Incisional biopsy

piece of tumor is removed for examination to establish a diagnosis

Integumentary system

Consists of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, and nail

Intradermal skin test

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

Kaposi's sarcoma

Form of skin cancer frequently seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Consists of brownish-purple papules that spread from the skin and metastasize to internal organs.

Keloid

Thick scar resulting from excessive growth of fibrous 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 (cancerous) tissue

Lipectomy

surgical removal of fat from beneath the skin to improve physical appearance

Lipids

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

Lipocytes

fat cells, predominant in subcutaneous layer where they manufacture and store large quantities of fat

Liposuction

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

Lunula

The crescent-shaped area at the base of the human fingernail.

Macule

flat, colored spot on the skin (freckle)

Malignant melanoma

Most serious form of skin cancer; often characterized by black or dark brown patches on the skin that may appear uneven in texture, jagged, or raised.

Melanin

a dark brown to black pigment occurring in the hair, skin, and iris of the eye in people and animals. It is responsible for tanning of skin exposed to sunlight.

Melanocytes

cells that produce melanin

Mohs Surgery

a technique used to excise tumors of the skin by removing fresh tissue, layer by layer, until a tumor-free plane is reached

Mucous membrane

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

Nail plate

Hardened keratin plate that sits on and covers the natural nail bed. It is the most visible and functional part of the natural nail unit.

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

a hollow needle is used to remove a core of tissue for examination

Nevus

pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole

Nodule

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

Oral drugs

the most commonly used route of admin. it is usually the most convenient and comfortable for the pt. drug action has a slower onset and a more prolonged, but less potent, effect.

Papule

small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin

Perspiration

the process of sweating

Petechia

minute, pinpoint hemorrhage under the skin

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 oval core of skin for laboratory analysis using a sharp, hollow instrument

Purpura

multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin

Pustule

raised spot on the 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

secrete sebum (oil) into the hair follicles where the hair shafts pass through the dermis

Sebum

oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands

Second degree burn

A burn marked by pain, blistering, and superficial destruction of dermis with edema and hyperemia of the tissues beneath the burn.

Squamous cell carcinoma

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

Stratified squamous epithelium

Function: protects underlying tissues in areas subject to abrasion

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

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

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

infection of the skin 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

Transdermal drugs

Medicated patch that is placed in skin to deliver specific dose of medicine on through skin to bloodstream

Ulcer

open sore or lesion in the skin or mucous membrane