chapter 2- medical terminology notes

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