dermatology
medical specialty that studies the anatomy and physiology of the integumentary system.
Integumentary System
covers most of the surface of the body. It consists of the skin, the nails, and the subcutaneous tissue. The functions of the integumentary system include protection, repair, sensation, synthesis of vitamin D, and thermoregulation.
Integumentary/Cutaneous
pertaining to the skin
epidermis
thin, outermost layer of the skin made up of epithelial tissues. It contains dead protective cells on its surface that are actively dividing on the base
dermis
thick, inner layer of the skin that lies below the epidermis made up of connective tissue. It contains sebaceous glands, sudoriferous glands and hair follicles
subcutaneous tissue
type of connective tissue that lies beneath the dermis composed of adipose tissue that insulates the body
dermatome
a specific area on the skin that sends sensory information to the spinal cord
Dermatitis
Any infection or inflammation of the skin.
Edema
Swelling from excessive amounts of fluid that move from the blood into the dermis or subQ.
Hemorrhage
\n Injury to the blood vessels that releases blood into the skin.
Lesion
Any area of visible damage on the skin or a variation from normal skin.
skin lesion: cyst
elevated circular mound; acne
skin lesion: Fissure
small, crack crevice; chapped lips
Skin Lesion: Macule
flat pigmented brown circle; freckle
skin lesion: wheal
elevated red spots filled with fluid; insect bites
skin lesion: scale
flat think white flakes; dandruff or psoriasis
neoplasm
New growth on the skin, benign or malignant.
Pruritus
The condition of itching; may be associated with \n many diseases, especially allergic reactions on \n the skin.
rash
A red or pink skin lesion that is flat or raised, itchy or not itchy.
Xeroderma
Excessively dry skin.
melanocytes
cells in the epidermis that produce the pigment melanin that absorbs the sun’s UV light. Sunburn occurs when melanocytes can’t \n absorb all UV light.
skin color condition: albinism
\n Genetic mutation in which melanocytes do not produce melanin; results in a lack of coloration of the skin, hair, and eye.
skin color condition: cyanosis
\n A bluish-purple discoloration of the skin and nails.
skin color condition: erythema
Red discoloration of the skin; may be local or over large areas of skin.
skin color condition: Jaundice
Yellowish discoloration of the skin, mucous membranes, and sclera due to inability of the liver to process bilirubin.
skin color condition:
Necrosis
Gray-to-black discoloration of skin due to skin death from a burn, ulcer, wound, or poor blood supply.
skin color condition:
Vitiligo
Autoimmune disease in which melanocytes are slowly destroyed and patches of depigmentation appear.
skin injury: Abrasion
\n Sliding or scraping injury that mechanically removes the epidermis.
skin injury: Blister
Fluid-filled sac with a thin, transparent covering of epidermal cells; caused by repetitive rubbing \n injury.
skin injury: Burns
Caused by heat, hot objects, steam, boiling water, electricity, chemicals, and radiation. \n • Superficial \n • Partial-thickness \n • Full-thickness
skin injury: Callus
Thickened, elevated pad on the dermis caused by repetitive rubbing.
skin injury: Cicatrix
Collagen that forms as an injury heals; a scar.
skin injury: Excoriation
\n Superficial injury with a sharp object that creates a linear scratch on the skin.
skin injury: Keloid
Firm abnormally large scar that grows larger than the original injury due to overproduction of collagen.
skin injury:Laceration
Linear penetrating wound; may have clean-cut edges or torn, ragged edges.
skin injury: Decubitus ulcer
Ulcer in the skin caused by epidermal and dermal breakdown; associated with constant pressure on the skin that decreases blood flow \n over bony areas.
skin infection: abscess
Localized pus-containing pocket under the skin caused by a bacterial infection.
skin infection: cellulitis
\n Infection and inflammation of the connective tissues of the skin
skin infection: shingles
Infection with the virus herpes; involves vesicles, erythema, edema, and pain.Shingles is from herpes varicella-zoster. The lesions occur along a dermatome (an area of skin \n associated with a specific spinal nerve that goes to the spinal cord).
skin infections: Verruca
Rough, irregular skin lesion caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV); occurs on hands, fingers, or soles of the feet. also known as a wart
skin infections: Tinea (worm)
Fungal infection of the skin (ringworm); severe itching and burning with red, scaly lesions. \n • Tinea capitis (head) \n • Tinea corporis (body) \n • Tinea cruris (groin) –“jock itch” \n • Tinea pedis (feet)
skin infestations: pediculosis
Infestation of lice and their eggs (nits); can occur in the scalp, hair, eyelashes, and genital area.
skin infestations: scabies
Infestation of parasitic mites that tunnel under the skin and produce itchy vesicles; caused by the same parasite that causes mange in dogs.
allergic skin conditions: contact dermatitis
Dermatitis caused by physical contact with an allergen or irritant like deodorant, soap, makeup, or urine.
Allergic skin conditions: Urticaria
Local allergic reaction to food, plants, animals, insect bites, or drugs; caused by release of histamines and involves raised areas of redness \n and edema that occur suddenly \n (rash)
benign skin neoplasm: Actinic keratosis
Raised, rough areas due to chronic sun exposure.
benign skin neoplasm: Hemangioma
Mass of superficial, dilated blood vessels present at birth; usually disappears without treatment.
benign skin neoplasms: Lipoma
Rounded growth of adipose tissue (fat) in the skin.
benign skin neoplasms: Nevus
Lesion that comes in a variety of shapes and colors; present at birth.
(Ex. mole, birthmark, port-wine stain)
benign skin neoplasms: Papilloma
Soft, flesh-colored growth that protrudes from the skin; grows as a flap or polyp on a stalk (skin tag)
benign skin neoplasms: Senile lentigo
\n Light-to-dark brown, flat macules on the skin in areas exposed to the sun; also called age spots or liver spots.
benign skin neoplasms: Syndactyly
Condition in which the skin and tissues between the toes or fingers are joined.
malignant skin neoplasms: Basal cell carcinoma
Begins in the basal epidermis; slow-growing cancer that appears as a raised, pearly bump.
malignant skin neoplasms: Malignant melanoma
Begins in melanocytes; fast-growing and spreading cancer.
malignant skin neoplasms: Squamous cell \n carcinoma
Begins in the squamous epidermis; slow-growing red bump or ulcer.
determining malignant neoplasms on the skin
A- ASYMMETRY
B- irregular BORDER
C-varied COLORING
D- large DIAMETER
E-EVOLVING size increase
autoimmune disorders: psoriasis
Autoimmune disorder in which too many abnormal epidermal cells are produced; produces itch, silvery scales, and plaques.
autoimmune disorders: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Autoimmune disorder in which collagen in the \n skin and connective tissues deteriorates; characterized by butterfly rash on nose and cheeks.
sebaceous glands
exocrine glands that produce a type of oil called sebum. \n –Sebum travels through a duct to a hair follicle. \n –Sebum coats the hair shaft and moisturizes \n the skin’s surface.
Sebaceous Gland disease: acne
Chronic skin condition of adolescence. Sebum hardens and blocks hair follicles, producing comedos (black and white headed pimples).
Sebaceous Gland disease: Rosacea
Chronic skin condition of middle age. Skin has blotchy erythema and dilated blood vessels (= rose colored).
Sudoriferous (sweat) glands
Exocrine glands that secrete sweat through a duct that opens into a pore in the skin. \n –Sweat contains water, sodium, and small amounts of body waste. \n –Sweat is odorless, but takes on an odor when it contacts bacteria on the skin’s surface.
sweat gland disease: Anhidrosis
Congenital absence of sweat glands. No sweat is produced and heat is intolerable.
sweat gland disease: Diaphoresis
Profuse sweating; may indicate a serious underlying condition like myocardial infarction, hyperthyroidism, or drug withdrawal.
Piloerection
A tiny muscle at the base of the hair follicle contracts, which makes the hair stands up and causes a “goosebump” when the skin gets cold.
Hair disease: Alopecia
Loss of hair from the scalp due to disease, medication, or changes in hormone levels.
Hair disease: Hirsutism
Presence of excessive, dark hair on the forearms and upper lip of women; caused by hormone changes associated with a tumor of the adrenal cortex.
Nail disease: Clubbing and \n cyanosis
abnormal downward curve and bluish coloration of the fingernails accompanied by stunted growth of the fingers. Associated with lack of oxygen in cystic fibrosis.
Nail disease: Onychomycosis
Fungal infection of the nail; nail root is infected and the nail is deformed as it grows.
lab procedures: Culture and sensitivity
Growth of bacteria taken from a wound or lesion in a lab; colonies are used to make a diagnosis and to determine the correct antibiotic treatment.
lab procedure: allergy testing
Intradermal injection or scratch of liquid \n allergen; formation of a wheal in response to the allergen is indicative of allergy.
lab procedure: skin scraping
Scraping of cells from a lesion done with the edge of a scalpel; cells are examined under a microscope to diagnose tinea.
lab procedure: Tzanck test
Scraping of fluid from a vesicle to produce a slide for microscopic inspection; used to diagnose herpes virus \n and shingles.
lab procedure: Wood lamp or \n light
Ultraviolet light used to highlight areas of abnormal skin; light makes vitiligo appear bright white and tinea \n capitis appear blue-green.
medical procedures: botox injections
Treatment for deep wrinkles; Botox is injected into muscle; releases wrinkle lines and prevents the muscle from contracting (also used as a treatment \n for migraines)
medical procedures: Collagen injections
Treatment for wrinkles or acne scars; liquid collagen solution plumps up skin to decrease the depth of the wrinkle or scar.
medical procedures: Cryolipolysis
Treatment for unwanted fat deposits; cold device applied to the skin freezes fat cells and causes them to crystalize and die.
medical procedures: Cryosurgery
Treatment for benign or small malignant lesions; liquid nitrogen is applied to the lesion to freeze / destroy it
medical procedures: Debridement
Treatment for necrotic tissue removal; prevents infection and creates a clean, raw surface for healing or grafting.
(= remove the bridle from (French))
medical procedures: Electrosurgery
Treatment for benign or small malignant \n lesions; electricity evaporates cellular \n contents and kills cells.
medical procedures: Incision and drainage (I&D)
Treatment to drain fluid; an incision is made and fluid is expressed or drained.
medical procedures: Skin examination
Inspection of the skin during dermatologist visit; may involve all of the skin or a specific rash or lesion.
medical procedures: Skin resurfacing
Treatment to improve skin appearance; \n involves removal of part of the epidermis.
medical procedures: Skin turgor assessment
Assessment of hydration level; skin fold is pulled up and time to flatten is noted.
medical procedures: Suturing
Treatment to bring edges of skin together after laceration in injury; sewing skin and tissue together.
medical procedures: Ultherapy
Treatment for wrinkles on the face and neck; ultrasound waves stimulate production of new collagen.
Anesthetic \n drugs
Provide temporary numbness of the skin during procedures that involve cutting or suturing.
Antibiotic drugs
Treat bacterial infections or acne vulgaris; may be topical or oral.
Antifungal drugs
Treat fungal infections; may be topical or oral depending upon the fungus involved.
Antipruritic drugs
Treat itching associated with skin diseases; may be topical or oral.
Antiviral drugs
Treat viral infections; may be topical or oral.
Coal tar drugs
Treat psoriasis by slowing multiplication of epidermal cells; applied topically.
Corticosteroid drugs
Treat inflammation by suppressing \n the immune response; may be topical \n or oral.
Alopecia drugs
Improve blood flow to the scalp to \n increase hair growth
Drugs for infestations
Treats scabies (mites) and pediculosis (lice); applied topically as a lotion and shampoo.
Vitamin A-type drugs
Treat acne vulgaris and severe cystic \n acne; may be topical or oral.
Topical drugs
Applied directly to the skin; has a local effect.
Transdermal drugs
Patches that are placed on the skin; drug is absorbed through the skin and transported through the blood to exert a systemic effect.
Intradermal drugs
Needle inserted just under the epidermis; used for tuberculosis and allergy testing.
Hypodermic drugs
Needle inserted all the way into the hypodermis; Also referred to as subcutaneous (SQ, subcu, subQ) injection