Chapter 4 terms list

acne

Inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces 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

Skin test to identify allergies

alopecia

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

anesthetic

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

antibiotic

Drug used to fight off infection

antifungal

Drug used to fight off fungal infections, such as athlete’s foot and ringworm

antipruritic

Drug used to inhibit itching. Itching is a symptom associated with many skin disorders.

antiviral

Drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes

arrector pili

Bundles of very small muscle fibers

**autograft**

Surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another part of the same body

basal cell carcinoma

Commonly slow growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis

basal layer

The deepest layer of the epidermis

biologic

Drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques.

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscope examination

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid; also known as a lid lift

burns

Injuries to skin tissues caused by prolonged heat contact.

cauterization

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

chemical peel

The use of chemicals to remove the outer layer of skin; common for acne and wrinkle removal

cicatrix

A scar left by a healed wound

collagen

a fi brous pro- tein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

corticosteroid

Drug used to treat skin conditions linked to autoimmune diseases, such as vasculitis, and inflammatory diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis.

cryosurgery

Destruction of abnormal tissue by freezing it with liquid nitrogen; commonly treats warts.

curettage

Removal of tissue by scraping the surface

cuticle

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

cyanosis

The appearance of a blue or purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to insufficient blood oxygen or poor circulation.

cyst

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

debridement

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

dermabrasion

The use of abrasive materials, such as brushes and sandpaper, to remove layers of the skin.

dermatologist

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

dermatology technician

Medical assistant who works in skin-care

dermatoplasty

Replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from different region of the body.

dermis

Lies directly under the epidermis

ecchymosis

Black-and-Blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessel beneath the skin

eczema

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

epidermis

Outermost layer of the skin

epithelial tissue

Covers the surface of the body and also line internal organs and cavities

excisional biopsy

Surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor

exfoliative cytology

Biopsy procedure in which living tissue is scraped so it can be analyzed for bacteria.

first-degree burn

A skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions

fissure

A deep, narrow, slit-like opening

gangrene

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

gland

is a cell, or group of cells that secretes select substances within or out of the body

hair follicles

tiny secretory

hair shaft

core

immunosuppressant

Drug used to treat certain conditions by suppressing the immune system

impetigo

Bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles

incision and drainage (I&D)

Procedure in which an incision is made through skin to drain fluid or abscess.

incisional biopsy

Incision into the tissue for removal of a small piece of living tissue

integumentary system

Contains the skin, hair, and nails

intradermal skin test

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

Kaposi’s sarcoma

Malignant cancer that cause erythematous

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar

keratin

what the epidermis is made of

laser therapy

laser therapy

lesions, cancerous

An area of benign (noncancerous) tissue.

lipectomy

Surgical removal of fat below the skin

lipids

Organic compounds that consist of fat

lipocytes

fat cells

liposuction

Use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin

lunula

prominent in the thumbnail

macule

An oval-shaped pigmented area near the retina

malignant melanoma

Cancerous growth composed of melanocytes

melanin

Pigment of black-brown

melanocytes

determine the color of hair

Mohs surgery

Surgical method of treating skin cancer

mucous membrane

A thin, pliable layer of tissue.

nail plate

base, hard, translucent part of the nail

nail root

where the nail rest

nails

made of hard keration

needle biopsy

Biopsy in which living a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample

nevus

A highly pigmented lesion of the skin

nodule

A solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter

oral drugs

Drugs taken by mouth

papule

A solid skin elevation with district borders

perspiration

coiled glands that secrete sweat

petechia

Round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage

polyp

A small, mushroom-like growth typically benign, that extends from the surface of a mucous membrane

psoriasis

A chronic disease marked by itchy skin with silvery patches

punch biopsy

Small blade that rotates down through the epidermis and dermis

purpura

A purple or brownish-red rash

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus

rhytidectomy

Elimination of wrinkled through surgical removal

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin.

scleroderma

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin.

sclerotherapy

Injection of a sclerosing (skleer-OH-sing) medical solution, such as saline, into varicose veins or spider veins (small varicose veins). The solution irritates the tissue, causing it to swell and to close off small veins. The small veins then harden, shrink, and dissolve over a period of weeks.

scratch test

Skin test in which the forearm is scratched with tiny needles (lancets) and a variety of substances are applied to the skin to identify allergies. These substances include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and chemicals in food

sebaceous glands

located in the dermal layer of the skin over the entire body, except for the palms (hands) and the soles (feet)

sebum

(oily secretion from sebaceous glands)

second-degree burn

Skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia

squamous cell carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis. This tumor may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells

stratified squamous epithelium

The term stratified means “arranged in strata, or layers.” The word squamous (SKWAY-mus) means “scaly.” The flat, scaly cells of the stratified

subcutaneous layer

connects the skin to the surface muscles. It is composed of lipocytes

sweat glands

extend up through the epidermis, where they terminate in tiny openings called pores on the skin’s surface.

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

A chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease, one in which the body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues

third-degree burn

Skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed; this type of burn produces severe hyperesthesia or anesthesia (numbness), depending on the degree of nerve damage

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

topical drugs

applied directly to the area of concern and are intended to affect only that area.

transdermal drugs

travel through the skin and into the bloodstream.

ulcer

An open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane