Dermatology Terminology Flashcards
ACD
Allergic contact dermatitis.
Acneiform
Acne-like
Acral distribution
Affecting peripheral body parts and/or protrusions
Acrochordon
Skin tag
AK
Actinic keratosis
Alopecia
General term for hair loss
Angioedema
Swelling confined to the top layer of dermis
Annular
Ring-shaped
Atrophy
Thinning or depression of the skin due to underlying tissue loss
BCC
Basal cell carcinoma
Blanching/blanchable
Describes an erythematous lesion that loses its redness when pressed, indicating underlying vascular dilatation
BSA
Body surface area
Bulla (plura : bullae)
A larger raised, circumscribed lesion containing serous fluid (>5 mm)
Closed comedones
Blackheads
Comedolytic
Inhibits the formation of comedones
Comedones
Blocked pores (blackheads and whiteheads)
Configuration
The shape and arrangement of skin lesions; considered “secondary morphology”
Crust
Dried liquid debris on the surface of the skin
Dermatographism
Localized urticarial reaction caused by physical trauma
Dermatomal distribution
Distributed along dermatome segments
Dermatome
A segment of skin innervated by a single spinal nerve
Dermatoscope
A tool used to magnify microscopic features of skin lesions
Dermis
The middle layer of the skin, deep to the epidermis and superficial to subcutaneous tissue
Dermoscopy
Examination of the skin using surface microscopy, such as a dermatoscope
Desquamation
Peeling of the skin
DFSF
Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans
Dimple sign
A central depression of the skin produced with lateral pressure; also called Fitzpatrick’s sign
DSAP
Disseminated, superficial actinic porokeratosis
ED&Cx3
Electrodessication and curettage
EIC
Epidermal inclusion cyst
Electrodessicatoin
A type of electrosurgery that uses high-frequency electrical current for controlled tissue destruction
Endophytic
Depressed or growing inwards
Ephelides
Freckles
Epidermis
The most superficial layer of skin
Erosion
Complete or partial loss of the epidermis
Eschar
Scab
Excoriation
Superficial abrasions of the skin caused by scratching or picking
Exophytic
Growing outwards
Extensor surface
The skin on the opposite side of a joint where extension occurs, e.g., elbow
Fibroepithelial polyp
Skin tag
Filifrom
Threadlike
Fissure
Linear or wedge-shaped tears in the epidermis
Fitzpatrick’s sign
Another term for dimple sign
Flexor surface
The skin overlying the side of a joint where flexion occurs, e.g., antecubital fossa
Friable
Easily crumbles or tears with minimal trauma; may bleed
Furuncles
Skin infection arising from a hair follicle
GA
Granuloma annulare
Generalized distribution
Widespread distribution of lesions
Herpes zoster
Shingles virus
ICD
Irritant contact dermatitis
Idiopathic
A disease or condition for which the cause is unknown
IL
Intralesional
Induration
Hardening of the skin due to an increase in fibrous tissue
Intertriginous Distribution
Affecting skin creases and/or folds
ISK
Inflamed sebarrheic keratosis
KA
Keratoacanthoma
Keratolytic
Removes scale from the skin superficially
Koebner phenomenon
Skin lesions induced by local physical trauma
KOH Test
Potassium hydroxide preparation; used to r/o fungal etiology
Lichenification
Thickening of the skin
LN2
Cryosurgery
Localized distribution
Limited to certain area (s) of the body
LSC
Lichen simplex chronicus
Maceration
Softening or breakdown of tissues secondary to prolong moisture exposure
Macule
A flat, circumscribed area of discoloration lacking surface elevation or depression (<1 cm)
Melanocytes
Cells in the lower part of the epidermis that produce melanin
Mohs surgery
A tissue-sparing procedure considered the most effective treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancers
Morphology
Refers to how skin lesions are described by dermatologists; the form and structure of skin lesions
Nevus
Medical term for “mole”
NMSC
Nonmelanoma skin cancer
Nodule
A solid, elevated lesion typically found in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue (>1 cm)
Non-comedogenic
A skin care product specially formulated to not cause the blocking of pores
Onychomycosis
Nail fungus
Open comedones
Whiteheads
Papule
A small, solid, circumscribed, elevated lesion (<1 cm)
Patch
A flat, circumscribed area of discoloration lacking surface elevation or depression (>1 cm); a larger macule
PDT
Photodynamic therapy; also referred to as blue light therapy
Pedunculated
A slightly elongated stalk of tissue
Photodistribution
Affecting areas of skin that receive a lot of sun exposure
PIH
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation
Plaque
A superficial, solid, well-circumscribed, elevated lesion (>1 cm)
Primary lesion
The initial skin lesion prior to evolution or alteration
Prodrome
Symptom (s) indicating the onset of a disease or illness
Pruritus
Itching
Punch
An instrument used to remove tissue by cutting; ranges in size from 2-8mm in diameter
Pustule
A small superficial, raised, circumscribed lesion filled with purulent material (<1 cm)
Rhinophyma
Dermis and sebaceous gland hyperplasia in the nose
Scale
A build-up of stratum corenum with visbile shedding of large, flaking pieces
SCC
Squamous cell carcinoma
Secondary lesion
A modification of the primary lesion
SK
Seborrheic keratosis
SLE
Systemic Lupus erythematosus
Stratum croneum
The outermost layer of skin consisting of dead skin cells
Stria (plural: striae)
A linear mark; “stretch marks”
Subungual
Beneath the nail plate
TBSE
Total body skin exam
Tumor
A solid mass of skin or subcutaneous tissue (>2 cm)
Ulcer
Complete loss of the epidermis with partial loss of the dermis
Urticarial
Hive-like
Verrucous/verrucual
Wart-like
Vesicle
A small, raised lesion containing serous fluid (<5 mm)
Wheal
Transient, circumscribed edematous papules or plaques; typically present for <24 hours
Xerosis cutis
Dry skin
