Dermatology Vocabulary Flashcards
abrasion
Skin injury that scrapes away the surface of skin
abscess
Infection by pyogenic bacteria resulting in localized collection of pus
alopecia
Baldness
basal cell carcinoma
Skin cancer in basal cell layer of the epidermis
biopsy
Surgical procedure to remove a piece of tissue by needle, knife, punch, or brush to examine under a microscope in order to make a diagnosis.
boil
Bacterial infection of a hair follicle; also called a furuncle
burn, 1st degree
Damages epidermis only; results in erythema but no blisters; generally, there is no scarring
burn, 2nd degree
Burn damage that extends through the epidermis and into the dermis, causing blisters to form; scarring may occur
burn, 3rd degree
Burn to damage to the full thickness of skin and into underlying tissues; infection and fluid loss are major concerns; scarring will occur
cauterization
Intentional destruction of tissue by a caustic chemical, electric current, laser, or freezing
cellulitis
Inflammation of connective tissue cells of skin
chemabrasion
Removal of superficial layers of skin using chemicals; also called a chemical peel
contusion
Blunt trauma to skin that results in bruising
cryosurgery
Using extreme cold to freeze and destroy tissue
cyst
Fluid-filled sac under the skin–clear fluid
debridement
Removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound
decubitus ulcer (decub)
Open sore caused by pressure over bony prominences obstructing blood flow; bed sores
dermabrasion
Scraping skin with rotating wire brushes or sandpaper; used to remove acne and scars
ecchymosis
Black and blue skin bruise caused by blood collecting under skin after trauma
erythema
Redness of skin
fissure
Cracklike break in skin
gangrene
Tissue necrosis caused by loss of blood supply
herpes simplex
Infection by herpes simples virus causing painful blisters around lips and nose; commonly called fever blisters
herpes zoster
Viral infection of a nerve root that causes the appearance of very painful blisters along the path of a nerve; commonly called shingles
impetigo
Inflammatory skin disease with pustules that rupture and become crusted
laceration
Jagged-edged skin wound caused by tearing of the skin; does not mean a skin cut
laser surgery
Removal of skin lesions and birthmarks using laser beam
lesion
General term that indicates the presence of some type of tissue abnormality
macule
Flat, discolored spot on the skin surface; example is a freckle or birthmark
malignant melanoma
Aggressive form of skin cancer that originates in a melanocyte;
necrosis
Area of tissue death
nevus
Pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole
nodule
Solid, raised clump of skin cells
onychia
Inflamed nail bed
papule
Small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin
petechiae
Flat, pinpoint, purplish spots from bleeding under the skin
pruritus
Severe itching
psoriasis
chronic inflammatory condition consisting of crusty papules forming patches with circular borders
purpura
Purplish-red bruises usually occurring in people with thin, easily damaged skin
pustule
Raised spot on the skin containing pus
skin graft
Transfer of the skin from a normal area to cover another site;
squamous cell carcinoma
Skin cancer that begins in the epidermis but may grow into deeper tissue but does not generally metastasize to other areas of the body
tinea
Fungal skin disease resulting in itching, scaling lesions
ulcer
Open sore or lesions in the skin or mucous membrane
urticaria
Skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching; usually associated with food allergy, stress, or drug reactions
varicella
Viral infection with skin rash; commonly called chickenpox
vesicle
Small, fluid-filled raised spot on the skin
wheal
Small, round, raised area on the skin that may be accompanied by itching; usually seen in allergic reactions
