Integumentary system terms

Combining forms and abbreviations

adip(o)

fatty

dermat(o)

skin

derm(o)

skin

hidr(o)

sweat, sweat, glands

ichthy(o)

fish, scaly

kerat(o)

horney tissue

lip(o)

fatty

melan(o)

black, very dark

myc(o)

fungus

onych(o)

nail

pil(o)

hair

seb(o)

sebum, sebaceous glands

steat(o)

fat

trich(o)

hair

xanth(o)

yellow

xer(o)

dry

bx

biopsy

DLE

discoid lupus erythematosus

PPD

purified protein derivative

PUVA

psoralen- ultraviolet. A light therapy

SLE

Systemic lupus erythematosus

adipose

Fatty; relating to fat

alopecia

Lack of hair in spots; baldness

apocrine glands

glands that appear during and after puberty and secrete sweat, as from the armpits

ceruminous glands

Glands that secrete a waxy substance on the surface of the ear

Collagen

Major protein substance that is tough and flexible and that forms connective tissue in the body

Corium

See dermis

Cuticle

Thin band of epidermis that surrounds the edge of nails, except at the top.

Dermis

Layer of skin beneath the epidermis containing blood vessels, nerves, and some glands.

Diaphoresis

Excretion of fluid by the sweat glands; sweating

eccrine glands

Sweat glands that occur all over the body, except where the apocrine occur.

epidermis

Outer portion of the skin containing several strata

Exocrine glands

Glands that secrete through ducts toward the outside of the body.

Hair follicle

Tubelike sac in the dermis out of which the hair shaft develops.

Hair root

Portion of the hair beneath the skin surface

Hair shaft

Portion of hair visible above the skin surface.

hypodermis

Subcutaneous skin layer; layer below the dermis

Integument

Skin and all the elements that are contained within and arise from it.

Keratin

Hard, horney protein that forms nails and hair

Lunula

Half-moon shaped area at the base of the nail plate.

Melanin

Pigment produced by melanocytes that determines skin, hair, and eye-color.

Nail

Thin layer of keratin that covers the distal portion of fingers and toes.

Papillary

Thin sublayer of the dermis containing small papillae (nipple-like masses)

Pore

Opening or hole, particularly in the skin.

Reticular layer

Bottom sublayer of the dermis containing reticula ( network of structures with connective tissue between )

Sebaceous Glands

Glands in the dermis that opens to hair follicles and secrete sebum.

Sebum

Oily substance, usually secreted into the hair follicle.

Squamous epithelium

Flat, scaly layer of cells that makes up the epidermis.

Stratified squamous epithelium

Layers of epithelial cells that make up the strata of epithelium of the epidermis.

Stratum

Layer of tissue, especially a layer of the skin.

Stratum corneum

Top sublayer of the epidermis.

Stratum germinativum

Bottom sublayer of the epidermis.

Striae

Stretch marks made in the collagen fibers of the dermis layer.

Subcutaneous layer

Bottom layer of the skin containing fatty tissue.

Sweat glands

Coiled glands of the skin that secrete perspiration to regulate body temperature and excrete waste produce.

Dermatology

Medical specialty that deals with diseases of the skin.

Exudate

Any fluid excreted out of tissue, especially fluid excreted out of an injury to the skin.

Intradermal

Test that injects antigen or protein between layers of skin.

Mantoux

Test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin is injected intradermally with a syringe

Patch test

Test for allergic sensitivity in which a small dose of antigen is applied to the skin on a small piece of gauze.

PPD

Purified protein derivative of tuberculin.

Schick test

Test for diphtheria

scratch test

Test for allergic sensitivity in which a small amount of antigen is scratched onto the surface of the skin.

Tine test, TB tine

Screening test for tuberculosis in which a small dose of tuberculin is injected into a series of sites within a small space within a tine ( instrument that punctures the surface of the skin ).

Abscess

Localized collection of pus and other exudate, usually accompanied by swelling and redness.

Acne

Inflammatory eruption of the skin, occurring in or near sebaceous glands on the face, neck,shoulder, or upper back.

Acne vulgaris

See acne

Actinic Keratosis

Overgrowth of horny skin that forms from over-exposure to sunlight; sunburn.

Albinism

Rare, congenital condition causing either partial or total lack of pigmentation.

Alopecia areata

Loss of hair in patches.

basal cell carcinoma

Slow-growing cancer of the basal cells of the epidermis, usually a result of sun damage.

birthmark

Lesion (especially a hemangioma) visible at or soon after birth; nevus

Blackhead

see comedo

bulla

Bubble- like blister on the surface of the skin.

burn

Damage to the skin caused by exposure to heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or other skin irritants.

callus

Mass of hard skin that forms as a cover over broken skin on certain areas of the body, especially the feet and hands

Candidiasis

Yeastlike fungus on the skin, caused by Candida; characterized by pruritus, white exudate, peeling , and easy bleeding; examples are thrush and diaper rash.

Carbuncle

Infected area of the skin producing pus and usually accompanied by fever.

Cellulitis

Severe inflammation of the dermis and subcutaneous portions of the skin, usually caused by an infection that enters the skin through an opening, as a wound; characterized by local heat, redness, pain, and swelling.

Cherry angioma

A dome-shaped vascular angioma lesion that usually occurs in the elderly.

Chloasma

Group of fairly large, pigmented facial patches, often associated with pregnancy.

Cicatrix

Growth of fibrous tissue inside a wound that forms a scar; also, general term for scar.

Cold sore

Eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus Type 1

Comedo

Open hair follicle filled with bacteria and sebum; common in acne; blackhead.

Corn

Growth of hard skin, usually on the toes.

Crust

Hard layer, especially one formed by dried pus,as in a scab.

Cyst

Abnormal sac containing fluid.

Decubitus ulcer

Chronic ulcer on the skin over boney parts that are under constant pressure; pressure sore.

Depigmentation

Loss of color of the skin.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Discoid lupus erythematosus

Mild form of lupus

Ecchymosis

Purplish skin patch (bruise) caused by broken blood vessels beneath the surface.

Eczema

Severe inflammatory condition of the skin, usually of unknown cause.

Erosion

Wearing away of the surface of the skin especially when caused by friction.

Exanthematous viral disease

Viral disease that causes a rash on the skin.

Fever blister

Eruption around the mouth or lips; herpes simplex virus Type 1

First-degree burn

Least severe burn, causes injury to the surface of the skin without blistering.

Fissure

Deep slit in the skin.

Furuncle

Localized skin infection, usually in a hair follicle and containing pus; boil.

Gangrene

Death of an area of skin, usually caused by loss of blood supply to the area.