Medical Terminology Chapter 13- Integumentary system (Skin) (Extended

Integumentary system

The skin and its related structures, performs important functions in maintaining the health of the body.

Protection from UV rays and pathogens

Temperature regulation

Water loss prevention

And receptor

Skin function

Sebaceous glands (oily substance: sebum)

Oil glands that that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria on the skin. They are located in the dermis layer of the skin and are closely associated with hair follicles. They release the oily substance through ducts opening into the hair follicles. From here, it moves onto the surface and lubricates the skin.

Sweat glands / Sudoriferous glands

Help regulate body temperature and water content by secreting sweat. A small amount of metabolic waste is also excreted. They are tiny, coiled glands found on almost all body surfaces. There are two types, apocrine glands, which are found at hair follicles, and eccrine glands, which open onto the skin and are most numerous in the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the forehead.

Apocrine glands

Sudoriferous glands that are found at the hair follicles.

Eccrine glands

Sudoriferous glands that open up onto the skin and are most numerous in the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, and the forehead.

Cutaneous

Pertaining to the skin

cutane

Word part meaning skin

Epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin, is made up of several specialized epithelial tissues. It does not contain any blood vessels or connective tissue. It is therefore dependent on lower layers for nourishment.

Epithelial tissues

A protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body.

Squamous epithelial tissue

The upper layer of the epidermis.This layer consists of flat, scaly cells that are continuously shed.

Squamous

meaning scale-like

Basal layer

The lowest layer of the epidermis. It is here that new cells are produced and then pushed upward. When these cells reach the surface, they die and become filled with keratin.

Keratin

a fibrous, water-repellent protein. Soft ____ primary component of the epidermis. Hard _____ is found in the hair and nails.

Melanocytes

Special cells that are found in the basal cell layer. These cells produce and contain a dark brown to black pigment known as melanin.

Melanin

The pigment that determines the color of the skin, which depends upon the type and amount of this pigment that is present. It also produces spots of color such as freckles and age spots, which are discussed in the section. It also has the important function of protecting the skin against some of the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

dermis / corium

The thick layer of living tissue directly below the epidermis. It contains connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, and nerve fibers. Hair follicles, sebaceous glands, sweat glands, and sensory nerve endings are found here.

Collagen

Means glue, is a tough yet flexible fibrous protein material found in the skin and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

Mast cells

Are found in the connective tissue of the dermis, respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances, including heparin and histamine.

Heparin

Released in response to an injury, is an anticoagulant.

Histamine

Released in response to allergens, causes the symptoms of an allergic response, including itching and increased mucus secretion.

Subcutaneous layer

Located just below the layers of the skin and connects the skin to the surface muscles. This layer is made of loose connective tissue and adipose tissue

adipose

Word meaning fat

Cellulite

Deposits of dimpled fat around the buttocks and thighs. This is not a scientific term, and medical authorities agree that it is simply ordinary fatty tissue

Lipocytes / fat cells

Predominant in the subcutaneous layer, where they manufacture and store large quantities of fat

lip/o

Word part fat

Pores

The openings on the surface of the skin that act as the ducts of the sweat glands.

Perspiration / sweat

Secreted by sweat glands and is made up of 99% water plus some salt and metabolic waste products. (1 quart is perspired daily)

Hidrosis

The production and excretion of perspiration.

Mammary glands

Modified sweat glands, are sometimes classified with the integumentary system. However, they also are part of the reproductive system.

Hair

rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin. The darkness and color is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by the melanocytes that surround the core shaft.

Hair follicles

The sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers. The shape determines whether the hair is straight or curly.

Arrector pili

Tiny muscle fibers attached to the hair follicles that cause the hair to stand erect. In response to cold or fright, these muscles contract, causing raised areas of skin known as goose bumps. This action reduces heat loss through the skin.

Nails / unguis

The keratin plate that protects the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe.

Nail plate

Translucent, is closely molded to the surface of the underlying tissues. It is made up of hard, keratinized plates of epidermal cells.

Nail bed

The skin underneath the nail plate, which joins the nail body to the underlying connective tissue and nourishes the nail. The blood vessels here give the nail its characteristic pink color.

Free edge

The portion of the nail not attached to the nail bed, extends beyond the tip of the finger or toe.

Lunula

a pale half-moon-shaped region at every nail root, which is generally most easily seen in the thumbnail. This is the active area of the nail, where new keratin cells form.

lun

Word part meaning moon

ula

Word part meaning little

Cuticle

A narrow band of epidermis attached to the surface of the nail just in front of the root, protecting the new keratin cells as they form.

Nail root

Fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin.

Dermatologist

A physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin.

Dermat

Word part meaning skin

Plastic surgeon

A physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures.

Cosmetic surgeons

Plastic surgeons who perform operations such as breast augmentation, liposuction, and facelifts that are usually done for aesthetic rather than medical reasons.

Acne vulgaris / acne

A chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum around the hair shaft. Although often triggered by hormones in puberty and adolescence, it also occurs in adults.

Comedo

A noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle often associated with acne vulgaris.

whitehead

A comedo with an obstructed opening is called a

Black head

A comedo with a sebum plug that is exposed to air often oxidizes and becomes a

Epidermoid cyst / Sebaceous cyst ,

A closed sac that is found just under the skin. These cysts contain yellow, fatty material and are usually found on the face, neck, or trunk.

Seborrheic dermatitis

An inflammation sometimes resulting from overactivity of the sebaceous glands that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp. Extensive dandruff and the scalp rash in infants known as cradle cap are an example.

seb/o

Word part meaning sebum

rrheic

Word part meaning pertaining to flow or discharge

Seborrheic keratosis

A benign skin growth that has a waxy or “pasted-on” look. These growths, which can vary in color from light tan to black, occur most commonly in adults over the age of 50.

Anhidrosis / hypohidrosis

The abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat. People with this condition are at risk of heat stroke.

hidr

Word part meaning sweat

Diaphoresis

Profuse sweating. This is a normal condition when brought on by heat or exertion but can also be the body’s response to emotional or physical distress.

dia

Word part meaning through or complete

phor

Word part meaning movement

esis

Word part meaning abnormal condition

Heat rash / Prickly heat

An intensely itchy rash caused by blockage of the sweat glands by bacteria and dead cells.

Heat stroke / sunstroke

A medical emergency caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It is characterized by a core temperature of at least 104°F, altered mental state, and racing heart rate, and can cause organ swelling and death.

Hyperhidrosis

A condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body.

Sleep hyperhidrosis / night sweats

The occurrence of hyperhidrosis during sleep. There are many potential causes of this condition including menopause, certain medications, and some infectious diseases.

Folliculitis (Hot tub folliculitis)

Inflammation of the hair follicles. This condition is especially common on arms, legs, and in the beard area of men. One of the causes is a bacterium found in poorly chlorinated hot tubs or whirlpools. This leads to a condition called.

Trichomycosis axillaris

A superficial bacterial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands, such as the armpits.

trich/o

Word part meaning hair

myc

Word part meaning fungus

axill

Word part meaning armpit

Hirsutism

The presence of excessive body and facial hair in women, usually occurring in a male pattern. This condition can be hereditary or caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Alopecia / baldness

The partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp.

alopec

Word part meaning baldness

Alopecia areata

Disorder that attacks the hair follicles, causing well-defined bald areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body. This condition often begins in childhood

Acreata

Word meaning occurring in patches.

Alopecia totalis

An uncommon condition characterized by the loss of all the hair on the scalp. (AT)

Alopecia universalis

The total loss of hair on all parts of the body. (AU)

Androgenic alopecia

The most common type of hair loss. Androgens are the hormone involved in the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics.

Male pattern baldness

The hairline receding from the front to the back until only a horseshoe-shaped area of hair remains in the back and at the temples.

Female pattern baldness

The hair thinning in the front and on the sides of the scalp and sometimes on the crown. This condition rarely leads to total hair loss.

Clubbing

The abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by enlargement of the fingertips. This condition can be hereditary but is usually caused by changes associated with oxygen deficiencies related to coronary or pulmonary diseases such as lung cancer.

Koilonychia / spoon nail

A malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon. This condition is often an indication of iron-deficiency anemia

koil

Word part meaning hallow or concave

onych

Word part meaning fingernail or toenail

Onychia / onychitis

An inflammation of the bed of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail.

Onychocryptosis / ingrown toenail

The edges of a toenail, usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin. The affected area is prone to inflammation or infection.

crypt

Word part meaning hidden

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail. Depending on the type of fungus involved, this condition can cause the nails to turn white, yellow, green, or black and to become thick or brittle.

Onycholysis

The separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. It is usually painless, and can be caused by a localized allergic reaction, fungal infection, or psoriasis.

lysis

Word part meaning separation

Paronychia

An acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail.

Acanthosis nigricans

A condition where one or more areas of the skin develop dark, velvety areas of discoloration, usually in skin folds. This can be a sign of a disease such as cancer or type 2 diabetes or a reaction to a medication..

Age spots / solar lentigines / liver spots

Discolorations caused by sun exposure. Although harmless, these spots sometimes resemble skin cancer growths.

Albinism

Genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or the absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eyes. This condition is the result of a missing enzyme that is necessary for the production of melanin.

albin

Word part meaning white

Melasma / chloasma / The mask of pregnancy

Pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face. This can occur during pregnancy, especially among women with dark hair and fair skin, and usually disappears after delivery.

Vitiligo

Skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes. It causes irregular patches of white skin, a process known as depigmentation . Hair growing in an affected area may also turn white.

Depigmentation

Irregular patches of white skin

Contusion

An injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin and is characterized by discoloration and pain. This discoloration is caused by an accumulation of blood within the skin.

contus

Word part meaning bruise