Ch 4 terms

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

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 reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain

Antibiotic

a drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections

Antifungal

a drug use 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 disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis

biopsy

The removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscope examination to determine the presence of disease

blepharoplasty

Plastic surgery of the eyelid

burns

damage the outer layer (epidermis) of the skin

cauterization

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

chemical peel

the use of chemicals to remove outer layer of skin

cicatrix

a scar left by a healed wound

collagen

a fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments

corticosteroid

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

cryosurgery

a surgical procedure in which infected or abdnormal cells or tissues are frozen in order to desytroy or remvoe them

Curettage

the removal of tissue by scraping the surface

Cuticle

a barrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail

Cyanosis

a blush or purplish discoloration of the skin, cause by decreased circulation of oxygen rich blood

Cyst

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

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 the treats conditions and diseases of the skin, har, and nails

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

ecchymosis

black-and-blue or purplish bruise case by a ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin

eczema

acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema, 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

sore; 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

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.

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

test in which different sub-stances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions.

Kaposi’s sarcoma

keloid

An abnormally raised, thickened scar.

keratin

fibrous, water-repellent protein.

laser therapy

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

lesions, cancerous

a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound

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; clas- sifi ed 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 called melanin.

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 centi-meter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer.

oral drugs

a method of taking substances through the mouth.

papule

A solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than one centimeter; also called a pimple.

perspiration

The fluid excreted by sweat glands; also known as 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, erythema-tous skin with silvery patches.

punch biopsy

A biopsy in which a rotating blade is used to produce a cylindrical core of tissue.

purpura

A purple or brownish-red rash in which blood leaks from vessels into the skin or mucous membranes.

pustule

A small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; abscess.

rhytidectomy

The elimination of wrinkles by surgically removing skin from the face

scabies

A contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus, or itching.

scleroderma

A chronic, progressive disease of the skin marked by hardening and shrinking of connective tissue, which causes edema or pain in the muscles or joints.

sclerotherapy

The injection of a medical solution such as saline into varicose veins or spider veins to remove these veins.

scratch test

A type of allergy skin test; the forearm is scratched with lancets and a variety of substances.

sebaceous glands

Glands that secrete sebum and are located in the dermal layer of the skin.

sebum

An oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair.

second degree burns

A skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia.

squamous cells carcinoma

Malignant tumor of the squa- mous epithelial cells of the epidermis; may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells

stratified squamous epithelium

The upper layer of the epidermis.

subcutaneous layer

The deepest layer of the skin.

sweat glands

Tiny, coiled glands that secrete sweat (perspiration) and are located in the dermis.

systemic lupus erythematosus

chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs. SLE is an autoimmune disease.

third degree burn

A skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed.

tinea

A skin infection caused by a fungus.

topical drugs

a route of administering drugs via the skin to provide topical therapeutic effects

transdermal drugs

a painless method of delivering drugs systemically by applying a drug formulation onto intact and healthy skin 

ulcer

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

urticaria

A condition characterized by hives with local-ized swelling and itching.

varicose

A varicose vein in the spermatic cord; may result in a lump or mass in the scrotum; also may cause infertility.

vesicle

small, raised skin lesion fi lled with clear fl uid; blister.