Medical Terminology- Chapter 4

acne

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

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 produces anesthesia

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 relieves itching

Antiviral

agent that destroys viruses

arrector pili

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

auto graft

self transplantation

basal call carcinoma

malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis

basal layer

deepest layer of epidermis

biologic

drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination

blepharoplasty

surgical repair 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

scar

Collagen

structural protein found in the skin and connective tissue

Corticosteroid

a hormone produced by the adrenal cortex

cyrosurgery

use of cold temperatures to destroy tissue

curettage

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

Cuticle

Band of epidermis at the base and sides of the nail plate

cyanosis

bluish discoloration of the skin

cyst

bladder

debridement

Removal of foreign matter or dead tissue from a wound

dermabrasion

rubbing or scraping away the outer surface of skin

dermatologist

skin doctor

dermatology technician

A specialized medical assistant who works in the skincare field.

dermatoplasty

surgical repair of the skin

Dermis

middle layer of skin

Ecchymosis

bruise

eczema

Noncontagious skin rash that produces itching, blistering, and scaling

Epidermis

Outer layer of skin

epithelial

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

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

hair follicle

sac within which each hair grows

hair shaft

visible part of the hair

immunosuppressant

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

Impetigo

inflammatory skin disease with pustules that rupture and become crusted

incision and drainage

incision made to allow the free flow or withdrawal of fluids from a wound or cavity

incisional biopsy

removal of a portion of a lesion

integumentary system

skin, hair, nails

Interdermal skin test

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

Kaposi's 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 lesions using a laser beam

lesions, cancerous

an area of malignant tissue

lipectomy

removal of fatty tissue

Lipids

fats and oils

lipocytes

fat cells

liposuction

removal of fat beneath the skin by means of suction

lunula

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

Macule

freckle

malignant melanoma

cancerous growth composed of melanocytes

Melanin

skin pigment

Melanocytes

cells that produce melanin

Mohs surgery

technique of microscopically controlled serial excisions of a skin cancer

mucous membrane

The lining of various body cavities, including the nose, ears, and mouth

nail plate

hard part of the nail

nail root

the portion of a nail that is buried in a fold of 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

a small lump

Oral drugs

given by mouth

papule

pimple

perspiration

sweat

petechiae

small bruise

polyp

growth extending from the surface of mucous membrane

Psoriasis

chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales

punch biopsy

sample of tissue obtained with a punch tool

purpura

red-purple skin lesion due to blood in tissues from breaks in blood vessels

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

injection of a solution into a vein to thrombose it

scratch test

a test in which a substance is applied to the skin through a scratch

sebaceous glands

oil glands

sebum

oil

second degree burn

A partial-thickness burn involving the epidermis and the dermis.

squamous cell carcinoma

malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells in the epidermis

stratified squamous epithelium

protects underlying tissues in areas subjected to abrasion

subcutaneous layer

fat layer

sweat glands

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

systemic lupus erythematosus

inflammatory connective tissue disease affecting the whole body

third degree burn

involves destruction of epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layer

tinea

ringworm

topical drugs

drugs that are applied to the skin

transdermal drugs

Travel through skin and into bloodstream

ulcer

open sore