diagnostic terms Flashcards
acne
an inflammation of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin evidenced by comedones, pustules, or nodules on the skin
albinism
a hereditary condition characterized by a partial or total lack of melanin pigment
burn
any injury to body tissue caused by heat, chemicals, electricity, radiation, or gases
first degree burn
a burn involving only the epidermis, characterized by erythema and hyperesthesia (excessive sensation)
second degree burn
a burn involving the epidermis and the dermis, characterized by erythema, hyperesthesia, and vesications (blisters)
third degree burn
a burn involving all layers of the skin, characterized by the destruction of the epidermis and dermis with damage or destruction of the subcutaneous tissue
cellulitis
an acute inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue resulting from bacterial invasion through a break in the skin (cellula = small storeroom)
dermatitis (eczema)
an inflammation of the skin characterized by redness, pruritus (itching) and various lesions
atopic dermatitis
a chronic skin inflammation characterized by the appearance of inflamed, swollen papules and vesicles that crust and scale, with severe itching and burning; most outbreaks begin in infancy and are marked by exacerbations and remissions that usually clear up before adulthood; occurs in persons with atopy ( a genetic hypersensitivity to environmental irritants or allergens)
contact dermatitis
an inflammation of the skin resulting from contact with a substance to which one is allergic or irritated by
seborrheic dermatitis
redness of the skin covered by a yellow, oily, itchy scale most commonly at the hairline, forehead, and around the nose, ears, or eyelashes developing at an age; referred to as cradle cap in infants
dermatosis
any disorder of the skin
exanthematous viral disease
eruption of the skin caused by a viral disease
rubella
reddish; German measles
rubeola
reddish; 14-day measles
varicella
a tiny spot; chickenpox
eczema
to boil out; the term is often used interchangeable with dermatitis to denote a skin condition characterized b the appearance of inflamed, swollen papules and vesicles that crust and scale, often with sensations of itching and burning
furuncle
a boil; a painful nodule formed in the skin by inflammation originating in a hair follicle– caused by the staphylococcosis
carbuncle
a skin infection consisting of clusters of furuncles (carbo= small, glowing embers)
abscess
a localized collection of pus in a cavity formed by the inflammation of surrounding tissues that heals when drained or excised
gangrene
an eating sore; death of tissue associated with a loss of blood supply resulting from trauma or an inflammatory or infectious process such as seen in complications of frostbite, severe burns, and conditions that affect circulation (diabetes)
herpes simplex virus type 1
transient viral vesicles (cold sores, fever blisters) that infect the facial area, especially the mouth and nose (herpes= creeping skin disease)
herpes simplex virus type 2
sexually transmitted ulcer like lesions of the genital and anorectal skin and mucosa; after the initial infection, the virus lies dormant in the nerve cell root and may recur at times of stress
herpes zoster
a viral disease affecting the peripheral nerves characterized by painful blisters that spread over the skin following the affected nerves; usually unilateral – also known as shingles
ichthyosis
a skin condition caused by a gene defect that results in dry, thick, scaly skin; ichthyosis vulgaris is the most common of the many types (vulgaris is Greek for common)
impetigo
highly contagious, bacterial skin inflammation marked by pustules that rupture and become crusted– most often occurs around the mouth and nostrils
keratoses
thickened areas of the epidermis
actinic keratosis/ solar keratoses
localized thickening of the skin caused by excessive exposure to sunlight; known as a precursor to cancer
seborrheic keratoses
benign wart-like lesions especially on elderly skin
lupus
a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation of various parts of the body (lupus= wolf)
cutaneous lupus
limited to the skin; evidenced by a characteristic rash especially on the face, neck, and scalp
systemic lupus erythematosus
a more severe form of lupus involving the skin, joints, and often the vital organs ( lungs, kidneys)
malignant cutaneous neoplasm
skin cancer
squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
malignant tumor of squamous epithelium
basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
a malignant tumor of the basal layer of the epidermis (the most common type of skin cancer)
malignant melanoma
a malignant tumor composed of melanocytes– most develop from a pigmented nevus over time
Kaposi sarcoma
a malignant tumor of the walls of blood vessels appearing as painless, dark bluish-purple plaques on the skin; often spreads to lymph nodes and internal organs
onychia
inflammation of the fingernail or toenail
paronychia
inflammation of the nail fold
pediculosis
infestation with lice that causes itching and dermatitis (pediculo= louse)
pediculosis capitis
head lice
pediculosis pubis
pubic lice– effects pubic hair but can also effect hair of the axilla, eyebrows, lashes, beard, or other hairy body surfaces (also known as crabs)
psoriasis
an itching; a chronic, recurrent skin disease marked by silver- gray scales covering red patches on the skin that result from overproduction and thickening of skin cells– elbows, knees, genitals, arms, legs, scalp, and nails are common sites involved
scabies
a contagious disease caused by a parasite (mite) that invades the skin, causing an intense itch– most often found at articulations between the fingers or toes, elbow, etc. (scabo = to scratch)
seborrhea
a skin condition marked by the hypersecretion of sebum from the sebaceous glands
tinea
a group of fungal skin diseases identified by the body part that is affected, including tinea corporis (body), commonly called ringworm, and tinea pedis (foot), also called athletes foot
vitiligo
a condition caused by the destruction of melanin that results in the appearance of white patches on the skin, commonly the face, hands, legs, and genital areas
