Chapter 8 - Skin Disorders Flashcards
cutaneous vasodilation
increases blood flow to the skin severalfold, substantially increasing convective transfer of heat from the core to the periphery
convective
the movement caused within a fluid by the tendency of hotter and therefore less dense material to rise, and colder, denser material to sink under the influence of gravity, which consequently results in transfer of heat
vasodilation
the dilatation of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure
vitiligo
small areas of hypopigmentation that may gradually spread to involve larger areas
melasma
Also called: chloasma; a skin condition characterized by brown or blue-gray patches or freckle-like spots
macule
a patch of skin that is altered in color but usually not elevated
nodule
a small mass of rounded or irregular shape
papule
a small solid usually conical elevation of the skin, often filled with pus
pustule
a small circumscribed elevation of the skin containing pus and having an inflamed base
circumscribe (verb)
(1) to constrict the range or activity of definitely and clearly
(2) to draw a line around, to surround
(3) to construct or be constructed around (a geometrical figure) so as to touch as many points as possible (e.g. a circle circumscribing a square)
plaque
(1) an ornament, decoration, or commemorative tablet
(2) a localized, slightly elevated, abnormal patch on a body part or surface
(3) a sticky usually colorless film on teeth that is formed by and harbors bacteria
(4) a lesion in the cardiovascular system or the brain
(5) a clear area in a bacterial culture produced by viral destruction of cells
lesion
a region in an organ or tissue which has suffered damage through injury or disease, such as a wound, ulcer, abscess, or tumor
fissure
a crack in skin tissue
lichenification
the process by which skin becomes hardened and leathery or lichenoid (like lichen) usually as a result of chronic irritation
lichen
(1) any of several skin diseases characterized by the eruption of flat papules
(2) any of numerous complex plantlike organisms made up of an alga (alga is singular for algae) and a fungus growing in symbiotic association on a solid surface (as a rock)
symbiotic
(1) involving interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association
(2) denoting a mutually beneficial relationship between different people or groups
electrodesiccation
a fast and simple office-based procedure that uses electric current delivered via a needle-shaped electrode to superheat the skin in pinpoint precise areas
cryosurgery
the use of extreme cold in surgery to destroy abnormal or diseased tissue
urticaria
also called hives; reddened, itchy welts that may be triggered by exposure to certain foods, medications or other substances
welt (skin)
a red, swollen mark left on flesh by a blow or pressure
eczema
a condition that makes your skin red and itchy; it’s common in children but can occur at any age.
atopy (adjective: atopic)
the tendency to produce an exaggerated immune response to otherwise harmless substances in the environment; it can sometimes be genetic
immunoglobin
any of a class of proteins present in the serum and cells of the immune system, which function as antibodies
excoriation
(1) the act of abrading or wearing off the skin
2) a raw irritated lesion (as of the skin or a mucosal surface
abrasion
A type of open wound that’s caused by the skin rubbing against a rough surface. It may be called a scrape or a graze. When an abrasion is caused by the skin sliding across hard ground, it may be called road rash. Abrasions are very common injuries. They can range from mild to severe.
psoriasis
a skin disease that causes red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp
pemphigus
a rare group of autoimmune diseases. It causes blisters on the skin and mucous membranes throughout the body. It can affect the mouth, nose, throat, eyes, and genitals.
autoimmune disease
a condition in which your immune system mistakenly attacks your body
pemphigus vulgaris
the most common form of pemphigus; the epidermis separates above the basal layer. Blisters form initially in the oral mucosa or scalp and then spread over the face and trunk during the ensuing months. The vesicles become large and tend to rupture, leaving large denuded areas of skin covered with crusts
vesicle
also called a blister; a small fluid-filled bladder, sac, cyst, or vacuole within the body
vacuole
(1) a small cavity or space in tissue, especially in nervous tissue as the result of disease
(2) a space or vesicle within the cytoplasm of a cell, enclosed by a membrane and typically containing fluid
scleroderma
a group of rare diseases that involve the hardening and tightening of the skin and connective tissues
Raynaud’s disease
a condition that causes some areas of your body — such as your fingers and toes — to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. In Raynaud’s disease, smaller arteries that supply blood to your skin become narrow, limiting blood flow to affected areas (vasospasm)
cellulitis
a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. The affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch
erysipelas
a form of cellulitis usually caused by group A streptococcus bacteria
boil
also called a furuncle; a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected, inflamed hair follicles.
impetigo
a highly contagious skin infection that causes red sores on the face
inoculation
(1) to introduce immunologically active material (such as an antibody or antigen) into especially in order to treat or prevent a disease
(2) to introduce a microorganism into
(3) to introduce something into the mind of
carbuncle
a painful local purulent inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues with multiple openings for the discharge of pus and usually necrosis and sloughing of dead tissue
purulent
containing, consisting of, or being pus
suppuration
to form or discharge pus
slough (verb, related to skin)
to separate in the form of dead tissue from living tissue; shed or cast off
slough (noun)
(1) a place of deep mud or mire
(2) a state of moral degradation or spiritual dejection
mire
(1) wet spongy earth (as of a bog or marsh); mud
(2) a troublesome or intractable situation
intractable
(1) not easily governed, managed, or directed
(2) not easily relieved or cured
(3) not easily manipulated or shaped
fasciitis
inflammation of a fascia (as from infection or injury)
protease enzymes
also called proteolytic enzymes; enzymes that break down protein
fulminant
(of a disease or symptom) severe and sudden in onset
gangrene
a serious condition where a loss of blood supply causes body tissue to die
leprosy
also called Hansen’s disease; an infection caused by slow-growing contagious bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae. It can affect the nerves, skin, eyes, and lining of the nose (nasal mucosa). With early diagnosis and treatment, the disease can be cured. Infection can lead to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin, and eyes.
keratitis
an inflammation of the cornea
verruca (plural: verrucae)
a contagious and usually painful wart on the sole of the foot; a plantar wart
wart
small, rough, hard growths that are similar in color to the rest of the skin
mycosis
a general name for any disease caused by a fungus
ringworm
a rash caused by a fungal infection. It’s usually a red, itchy, circular rash with clearer skin in the middle. Ringworm gets its name because of its appearance. No worm is involved.
thrush
a fungal (yeast) infection that can grow in your mouth, throat and other parts of your body. In your mouth thrush appears as a growth that can look like cottage cheese – white, raised lesions on your tongue and cheeks. The condition can quickly become irritated and cause mouth pain and redness.
tinea capitis
it is ringworm of the scalp, a fungal infection of the scalp and hair shafts.
tinea corporis
ringworm of the body
tinea pedis
also called athlete’s foot; ringworm of the feet
tinea unguium
also called onychomycosis; a fungal infection of the nail
scabies
an itchy skin condition caused by a tiny burrowing mite called Sarcoptes scabiei; the mite burrows into the skin and lays eggs, creating a cycle where the new mites emerge to bury more eggs
larva
the active immature form of an insect, especially one that differs greatly from the adult and forms the stage between egg and pupa, e.g. a caterpillar or grub
pupa
an insect in its inactive immature form between larva and adult, e.g. a chrysalis
chrysalis
the form a caterpillar takes before it emerges from its cocoon as a fully formed moth or butterfly
mite
a minute arachnid which has four pairs of legs when adult, related to the ticks. Many kinds live in the soil and a number are parasitic on plants or animals
tick (insect)
parasitic arachnids that are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes
pediculosis
an infestation of the hairy parts of the body or clothing with the eggs, larvae or adults of lice; The crawling stages of this insect feed on human blood, which can result in severe itching. Head lice are usually located on the scalp, crab lice in the pubic area and body lice along seams of clothing.
lice (singular: louse)
small, brownish parasites that feed off human blood
cooties
(1) a children’s term for an imaginary germ or repellent quality transmitted by obnoxious or slovenly people
(2) pediculosis
keratosis
a growth of keratin on the skin or on mucous membranes stemming from keratinocytes, the prominent cell type in the epidermis
seborrhea (adjective: seborrheic)
abnormally increased secretion and discharge of sebum
actinic
of, relating to, resulting from, or exhibiting chemical changes produced by radiant energy especially in the visible and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum
carcinoma
a malignant tumor of epithelial origin
leukemia
A cancer of blood-forming tissues, hindering the body’s ability to fight infection
ABCD test
a test to see if a mole or nevus is cancerous: Area of the mole is increased. Border is irregular. Color is changed in mole. Diameter of the mole is increased.
nevus
A benign (not cancer) growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes (cells that make a substance called melanin, which gives color to skin and eyes). A nevus is usually dark and may be raised from the skin
etiology
(1) the cause, set of causes, or manner of causation of a disease or condition
(2) the investigation or attribution of the cause or reason for something, often expressed in terms of historical or mythical explanation
Kaposi Sarcoma
a type of cancer that forms in the lining of blood and lymph vessels. The tumors (lesions) of Kaposi’s sarcoma typically appear as painless purplish spots on the legs, feet or face. Lesions can also appear in the genital area, mouth or lymph nodes.
psoriasis
A condition in which skin cells build up faster than normal and form scales and itchy, dry patches.
