Chapter 4 terms

Acne

Inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produce pimples on the skin.

Albinism

An inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair.

Allergy Skin Test

A test used to identify allergies

alopecia

Hair loss that results from genetics, normal aging, illness, or drugs used to treat certain diseases.

anesthetic

A drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to deaden pain temporarily

antibiotic

A drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections.

antifungal

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A drug used to fight off fungal infections.

antipruritic

A drug used to inhibit itching.

antiviral

A drug used to treat viral infections.

arrector pili

Bundles of small muscle fibers.

autograft

The surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another part of the same body.

basal cell carcinoma

A commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis that typically does not metastasize.

basal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis that is constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface.

biologic

A 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 a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination to determine the presence of disease.

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid.

burns

Damage to the skin or deeper tissues caused by sun, hot liquids, fire, electricity, or chemicals.

cauterization

Destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current.

chemical peel

The use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin.

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound.

collagen

A fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

cryosurgery

A surgical procedure in which infected or abnormal cells or tissues are frozen in order to destroy or remove them.

curettage

The removal of tissue by scraping the surface.

cuticle

A narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail.

cyanosis

A bluish or purplish discoloration of the skin, caused by decreased circulation of oxygen-rich blood.

cyst

A closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material that develops in a cavity or other structure of the body.

corticosteroid

A hormone-like drug used as an anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressant.

Debridement

The removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing.

dermabrasion

The use of abrasive materials to remove layers of skin.

dermatologist

A physician who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails.

dermatology technician

A specialized medical assistant who works in the skin-care field.

dermatoplasty

The replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body.

dermis

The layer of skin that lies directly below the epidermis, and which is made up of connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers, hair follicles, and sebaceous and sweat glands.

ecchymosis

Black-and-blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin.

eczema

Acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema, or swelling.

epidermis

The outermost layer of the skin.

epithelial tissue

Body tissue that forms the skin covering the surface of the body, lines the internal organs, and makes up certain glands.

excisional biopsy

The surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor.

exfoliative cytology

A biopsy in which living tissue is scraped.

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions.

fissure

1) A groove or crack; (2) A sore; (3) A deep, narrow, slit-like opening in a bone.

gangrene

Necrosis, or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection.

gland

A cell, or groups of cells, that secretes select sub- stances within or out of the body.

hair follicles

Tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows.

hair shaft

The non growing part of a hair that protrudes from the skin.

immunosuppressant

A drug that prevents or reduces the body’s normal reactions to invasion and which is used to prevent the rejection of donor tissue or to treat autoimmune disorders.

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fluid-filled sacs), pustules (small, pus-filled blisters), and crusted-over lesions.

incision and drainage (I&D)

A procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fluid or an abscess.

incisional biopsy

A biopsy procedure in which an incision is made into living tissue, and a small piece is removed for microscopic examination.

integumentary system

The body system that is com- posed of the skin and its accessories, and which protects the body by functioning as a physical barrier, regulates temperature and fluid control, produces vitamin D, and provides sensory information.

intradermal skin test

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

Kaposi’s sarcoma

a disease in which cancer cells are found in the skin or mucous membranes that line the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from mouth to anus, including the stomach and intestines.

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar.

keratin

A fi brous, water-repellent protein.

laser therapy

The surgical or therapeutic use of devices that generate concentrated beams of light.

lesions, cancerous

lesions which may form and develop in the bone but have the capacity to spread to other areas of the body and continue to grow

lipectomy

The surgical removal of fat below the skin.

lipids

A group of organic compounds that lubricate the skin and minimize water loss.

lipocytes

Cells that manufacture and store fat

liposuction

The use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin.

lunula

The semilunar (half-moon- shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail.

macule

An oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina, which contains specialized, high-density cones that are used for high-acuity vision.

malignant melanoma

A cancerous growth composed of melanocytes that begins as an irregularly shaped macule and then changes color and texture; classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on level of penetration.

melanin

Pigment responsible for the skin’s color and which also helps protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.

melanocytes

Cells located in the epidermis that contain and produce dark brown-to- black pigments

Mohs surgery

A surgical method for treating skin cancer; thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined, the process continuing until there is no evidence of the tumor.

mucous membrane

A thin, pliable layer of tissue that lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world

nail plate

The hard, translucent part of the nail.

nail root

The area of the dermis on which the nail rests.

nails

Accessory organs of the skin that are made of hard keratin.

needle biopsy

A biopsy procedure in which a needle is used to remove a tissue sample for microscopic examination.

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is fl at or raised; also called a mole.

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer.

oral drugs

given by mouth

papule

small, solid skin elevation

perspiration

sweat

petechia

small bruise

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 core of tissue using a hollow punch

purpura

multiple pinpoint hemorrhages and accumulation of blood under the skin

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 in the skin

sebum

oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands

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 (SLE)third-degree burn

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

drugs that are applied to the skin

transdermal drugs

drugs that are applied to the skin

ulcer

open sore