Chapter 4: Disease and Disorder Terms (No Word Parts)

Question 1

abrasion

a-BRĀ-zhun

Answer 1

scraping away of the skin by mechanical process or injury

Question 2

abscess

AB-ses

Answer 2

localized collection of pus

Question 3

acne

AK-nē

Answer 3

inflammatory disease of the skin involving the sebaceous glands and hair follicles

Question 4

actinic keratosis

ack-TIN-ik) (ker-a-TŌ-sis

Answer 4

precancerous skin condition of horny tissue formation that results from excessive exposure to sunlight. It may evolve into a squamous cell carcinoma.

Question 5

albinism

AL-bi-niz-um

Answer 5

congenital hereditary condition characterized by partial or total lack of pigment (melanin) in the skin, hair, and eyes

Question 6

basal cell carcinoma (BBC)

BĀ-sal) (sel) (kar-si-NŌ-ma

Answer 6

malignant epithelial tumor arising rom the bottom layer of the epidermis called the basal layer; it seldom metastasizes, but invades local tissue and may recur in the same location. Common in individuals who have had excessive sun exposure.

Question 7

candidiasis

kan-di-DĪ-a-sis

Answer 7

infection of the skin, mouth (also called thrush), or vagina caused by the yeast-type fungus Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in the mucous membranes; overgrowth causes an infection. Esophageal candidiasis is often seen in patients with AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).

Question 8

carbuncle

KAR-bung-kl

Answer 8

infection of skin and subcutaneous tissue composed of a cluster of boils (furuncles) caused by staphylococcal bacteria

Question 9

cellulitis

sel-ū-LĪ-tis

Answer 9

inflammation of the skin and subcutaneous tissue caused by infection; characterized by redness, pain, heat, and swelling

Question 10

contusion

kon-TŪ-zhun

Answer 10

injury with no break in the skin, characterized by pain, swelling, and discoloration (also called a bruise)

Question 11

eczema

EK-ze-ma

Answer 11

noninfectious, inflammatory skin disease characterized by redness, blisters, scabs, and itching

Question 12

fissure

FISH-ur

Answer 12

slit or cracklike sore in the skin

Question 13

furuncle

FER-ung-kl

Answer 13

painful skin nodule caused by staphylococcal bacteria in a hair follicle (also called a boil)

Question 14

gangrene

GANG-grēn

Answer 14

death of tissue caused by loss of blood supply followed by bacterial invasion (a form of necrosis)

Question 15

herpes

HER-pēz

Answer 15

inflammatory skin disease caused by herpes virus characterized by small blisters in clusters. Many types of herpes exist. Herpes simplex type 1, for example, causes fever blisters; herpes zoster, also called shingles, is characterized by painful skin eruptions that follow nerves inflamed by the virus.

Question 16

impetigo

in-pe-TĪ-gō

Answer 16

superficial skin infection characterized by pustules and caused by either staphylococci or streptococci

Question 17

infection

in-FEK-shun

Answer 17

invasion of pathogens in body tissue. An acute infection may remain localized if the body’s defense mechanisms are effective or may persist to become subacute or chronic. A systemic infection occurs when the pathogen causing a local infection gains access to the vascular or lymphatic system and becomes disseminated throughout the body.

Question 18

Kaposi sarcoma

KAP-ō-sē) (sar-KŌ-ma

Answer 18

cancerous condition starting as purple or brown papules on the lower extremities that spreads through the skin to the lymph nodes and internal organs; frequently seen with AIDS

Question 19

laceration

las-er-Ā-shun

Answer 19

torn, ragged-edged-wound

Question 20

lesion

LĒ-zhun

Answer 20

any visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease. It is a broad term that includes sores, wounds, ulcers, and tumors.

Question 21

MRSA infection

mer-SAH) (in-FEK-shun

Answer 21

invasion of body tissue by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a strain of common bacteria that has developed resistance to methicillin and other antibiotics. It can produce skin and soft tissue infections and sometimes bloodstream infections and pneumonia, which can be fatal if not treated. MRSA is quite common in hospitals and long-term care facilities but is increasingly emerging as an important infection in the general population.

Question 22

pediculosis

pe-dik-ū-LŌ-sis

Answer 22

invasion into the skin and hair by lice

Question 23

psoriasis

so-RĪ-a-sis

Answer 23

chronic skin condition producing red lesions covered with silvery scales

Question 24

rosacea

rō-ZĀ-shē-a

Answer 24

chronic disorder of the skin that produces erythema, papules, pustules, and abnormal dilation of tiny blood vessels, usually occurring on the central area of the face in people older than 30 years

Question 25

scabies

SKĀ-bēz

Answer 25

skin infection caused by the itch mite, characterized by papule eruptions that are caused by the female burrowing into the outer layer of the skin and laying eggs. This condition is accompanied by severe itching.

Question 26

scleroderma

skle-rō-DER-ma

Answer 26

disease characterized by chronic hardening (induration) of the connective tissue of the skin and other body organs

Question 27

squamous cell carcinoma (SSC)

SQWĀ-mus) (sel) (kar-si-NŌ-ma

Answer 27

malignant growth developing from scalelike epithelial tissue of the surface layer of the epidermis; it invades local tissue and may metastasize. While most commonly appearing on the skin, SCC can occur in other parts of the body including the mouth, lips, and genitals. The most frequent cause is a chronic exposure to sunlight.

Question 28

systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)

sis-TEM-ik) (LŪ-pus) (e-ri-thē-ma-TŌ-sus

Answer 28

chronic inflammatory disease involving the skin, joints, kidneys, and nervous system. This autoimmune disease is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations. It also may affect other organs.

Question 29

tinea

TIN-ē-a

Answer 29

fungal infection of the skin. The fungi may infect keratin of the skin, hair, and nails. Infections are classified by body regions such as tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (body), and tinea pedis (foot). Tinea in general is also called ringworm, and tinea pedis specifically is also called athlete’s foot.

Question 30

urticaria

ur-ti-KAR-ē-a

Answer 30

itchy skin eruption composed of wheals of varying sizes and shapes. Urticaria is sometimes associated with infections and with allergic reactions to food, medicine, or other agents. Other causes include internal disease, physical stimuli, and genetic disorders.

Question 31

vitiligo

vit-i-LĪ-gō

Answer 31

white patches on the skin caused by the destruction of melanocytes