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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 a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain.
antibiotic
A drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections.
antifungal
A drug used to fight off fungal infections.
antipruritic
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.
corticosteroid
A hormone-like drug used as an anti- inflammatory and/or immunosuppressant.
cryosurgery
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.
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
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
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 (for example, the nasal passage).
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 flat 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
A substance is taken through the mouth, swallowed, and then processed via the digestive system
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, erythematous 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 burn
A 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; 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 (SLE)
A 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 medication that is applied to a particular place on or in the body. Most often topical medication means application to body surfaces such as the skin or mucous membranes to treat ailments via a large range of classes including creams, foams, gels, lotions, and ointments
transdermal drugs
Substances that are absorbed through the skin.
ulcer
An open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane.