Dermatology Glossary of Terms Flashcards
abscess
a pus-containing skin infection that occurs from bacteria or parasites
acanthosis
involves thickening of the skin, which results in papules and plaques forming
acanthosis nigricans
a breakout of hyperpigmented plaques and warty papules in the axillae, groin, neck/ and or anogenital region
acne
a skin condition characterized by blackheads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and scarring that is most commonly found on the face, back, shoulders, and chest
acne conglobata
severe acne; also called cystic acne; the acne is chronic and will produce intense cysts that go deep into the skin
acne keloid
a disorder where a secondary infection will develop in scarring; the pustules that form will be deep in intensity and can occur on the scalp and rear part of the neck
acne vulgaris
a skin condition resulting in whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red pimples
acitinic purpura
a skin condition that results from chronic sun-exposure and increasing age
acrochordon
a small skin tag that can be located almost anywhere on the body or face
acrodermatitis
inflammation in the skin in the hands and feet; this may be caused by a parasite; is a possible sign on Lyme disease
actinomycosis
a bacterial disease that is caused by the Actinomyces species; this is an infection that can produce abscesses in the body
adenocarcinoma
cancer that starts in the body’s glands and will transfer to other parts of the body
albinism
a skin defect that result in little or no color pigment in the skin, hair and eyes
algid
cold skin associated with malaria
actinic keratosis
a pre-cancerous patch of skin; the scaly of thick skin will develop due to the body being exposed to the sun’s rays for a lengthy period of time
aloe
a juice that comes from the aloe plant leaf; the juice may be dried and prepared in an ointment
alopecia
a condition where the immune system attacks the scalp’s hair follicles
anetiderma
a benign form of dermatosis that is triggered by a loss of dermal elastic tissue
angioedema
swelling beneath the skin rather than on the surface of the skin
angiokeratoma
a benign lesion of capillaries; the condition results in several red and blue marks on the skin
angioma
a benign tumor that includes blood vessels and lymph nodes; the vessels can cause some redness and other spots on the skin and may trigger pains depending on how intense the tumor is
angiomyoma
a benign smooth muscle tumor; the condition develops in the vessel walls in the body
antiperspirant
a compound that is applied topically to prevent or reduce sweating
antipruritic
an agent that controls itching
apocrine glands
sweat glands that can be found n the hairiest areas of the body
argyria
a condition that develops due to excess exposure to silver dust or the silver element; the condition will cause the skin to develop a purple or purple-grey tint
atopic dermatitis
also called eczema; a chronic skin condition that cause scaly and itchy rashes
atrophy
thinning of the skin due to reduction of underlying tissue
barrier cream
a cream that will be applied to the skin to prevent the tissue from allergens and other threats
basal cell carcinoma
the most common, slow-growing form of skin cancer where small bumps form on the skin and may bleed; a malignant form of skin cancer that develops due to frequent exposure to the sun
bioposy
a surgical procedure performed by a dermatologist or surgeon that involves the removal and examination of tissues or cells from the body
birthmark
a benign spot that appears at birth; the spot appears due to blood vessels growing more than needed
blackhead
a small bit of fatty material that develops in the sebaceous gland in the skin; may be found in a clogged hair follicle
blemish
also referred to as acne
blepheroplasty
also called eye lid rejuvenation
blister
a growth of watery fluid
boil
a tender spot on the skin that is associated with acne; the area may develop inflammation and can also include pus
botox
a cosmetic injection to temporarily diminish or remove frown lines, forehead creases; and crows feet near the eye
bruise
a type of contusion that appears on the skin due to a form of trauma
bulla
a skin blister that is raised more than .5 cm that contains serious fluid above the dermis
bullous pemphigoid
a skin disorder producing large blisters
burn
an injury that is produced due to outside material; can be triggered by extreme heat or cold conditions, exposure to chemicals, electricity, radiation, or uv light
cafe au lait spot
pigmented birthmarks that are uniform light to dark brown colors and are usually oval in shape; presented at birth
calamine
a medicated lotion compound; the material is applied to the skin to dry out areas that may be irritated
candidiasis
also called yeast infection and is a fungus skin infection occurring in the mouth, skin folds, navel, genitals, and nail beds
capillary hemangioma
also known as a strawberry birthmark; the benign tumor develops due to a series of capillaries growing more than normal
carbuncle
an acute, round, firm, tender boil on the skin
cavernous hemangioma
a raised, red to purple sore on the skin due to a buildup of blood vessels
cellulitis
a common deep skin infection caused by bacteria resulting in localized area inflammation
chafing
irritation to the skin that is triggered by a surface rubbing on the area
chancre
a syphilis sore
chancroid
a bacterial disease that is transmitted through sexual contact; also called a venereal ulcer
chapping
a process where the skin starts to become dry and cracked
chemical peel
a solution used to improve the texture of the face by removing the top layer of the skin to help minimize the appearance of sun damaged skin, irregular pigment, and scars
cherry angioma
a small red to purple papules on the skin containing abnormal proliferation of blood vessels
chigger
also known as a berry bug; a red tinted arachnid that can transfer a skin rash
chloasma
a condition where brown patches start to develop on the face; patches are benign and may be triggered by hormonal changes or from excess sun exposure
cicatrix
a scar that appears on the skin after a wound heals
clavus
also known as corn and heloma; is a condition which results in the thickening of the skin
closed comedo
also called a whitehead; a type of acne with a white or yellowish head on the skin
cold sore
a recurrent lesion around the mouth caused by herpes simplex virus
collagen
a natural protein found in bone, skin, ligaments, and tendons
collagen injections
a cosmetic injection beneath the skin to replace the body’s natural collagen to treat minor imperfections on the face such as wrinkles, scares, and facial lines
comedo
another words for a blackhead or clogged hair follicle
complexion
the general appearance of one’s facial skin
contact dermatitis
a rash of inflammation of the skin caused by having contact with various substances
contusion
an injury triggered by a blow to the body that will not break the skin
creeping eruption
a skin infection that causes severe itching
crusting
also known as a scab; dried blood, pus, or other fluids on the surface of the skin
cryosurgery
a dermatological procedure, performed by a dermatologist or skin care professional, done by freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen
cyst
a deep lesion filled with pus or fluids
cystic acne
a severe form of acne forming papule
dander
a material that the body sheds
dandruff
shedding of scaly and dry skin cells from the scalp
debridement
the removal of damaged tissue from a wound
DEET
diethyltoluamide; an oily compound that works as an insect repellent
deoderant
a prominent type of antiperspirant
dermatitis
inflammation in the skin
dermabrasion
a dermatological procedure to remove acne scars or the like by abrading
dermatofibroma
a small, non-cancerous red or brown bump in the skin normally found on the legs
dermatographism
a skin condition where raised, reddish marks or hives appear on the skin due to light scratching
dermis
the middle layer of the skin consisting of the blood vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands
desmosome
a structure in the body that includes two adjacent cells that connect to each other
desquamation
the peeling or shedding of the epidermis
diaper rash
a concern that may develop in babies and infants
diaphoresis
sweating
dimple sign
a central depression or dimple educed within a lesion when it is squeezed
discoid/ discoid lupus
a descriptive term used for round papules, plaques, or patch resembling a disk-like shape
drug eruption
an eruption caused by injection, ingestion, inhalation, or insertion of a drug
dysplasic nevus
an unusual looking mole
ecchymosis
a non-blanching skin discoloration due to the escape of blood from ruptured blood vessels
eczema
a chronic inflammatory skin condition that results in itching, scaling, and thickening of the skin
eccrine glands
sweat glands
electrolysis
a process for hair removal; an electric current is applied to the unwanted hair follicle
ephelis
also called a freckle
epidermis
the most outer layer of the skin that is exposed to the environment
erosion
loss of the epidermis due to friction or pressure
erysipelas
an acute streptococcus bacterial infection that results in inflammation
erythema
a form of skin inflammation; conditions develop in the fatty parts of the skin
erythema multiforme
abnormal redness of the skin usually caused by inflammation
erythema nodosum
a skin infection where red bumps appear on the shins
erythrasma
a skin infection where irregular pink patches are localized or generalized, and turn to brown scales
erythroderma
an extensive reddening of the skin often due to exfoliation
eschar
a dead tissue piece that is shed from the skin after a burn or another infection
ezanthem
an extensive rash
exanthema
an eruption that develops on the skin
excoriation
when the skin is covered by scabs due to scratching
exfolfiation
a process where a layer of the skin is removed