Glossary Flashcards
Abscess
inflammatory nodule containing pus
Acanthosis
Hyperplasia of the PCL causing an increase in epidermal thickness
Adnexae
structures making up hair, nails and glands
Alopecia
loss of hair
Allergen
Antigens that induce allergic reactions
Anagen
Growth phase of hair
Anaphylaxis
Severe type 1 hypersensitivity
Annular
ring shaped
Antibody
protein generated in response to an antigen
Apocrine
type of sweat gland
Atopy
hypersensitivity with genetic predisposition
Atrophy
wasting / shrinking of cells, tissues or organ
Auspitz sign
pinpoint bleeding seen when scale of psoriasis is removed
Blackhead
open comedone
dark sebum and keratin plug at pilosebaceous unit
Bulla
> 5mm
fluid filled blister
Burrow
excavation in KL housing a parasite
Cafe au lait spots
pigmented patches seen in neurological conditions e.g. neurofibromatosis (overgrowth of nerve endings)
Callus
hypertrophy of KL in localised areas usually hands and feet
Carbuncle
cluster of furuncles causing skin necrosis
Carcinoma
malignant growth of epithelial cells
Carcinoma in situ
malignant potential but not crossed the basement membrane
Catagen
involuting phase of hair growth
Cellulitis
inflammation of the dermis
Cold sore
herpes simplex infection usually of lips
Comedone
"blackhead" = open "whitehead" = closed
Compound naevus
Collection of benign melanocytes at DEJ and dermis
Corn
cortical thickening of KL pointing into dermis
painful
Crust
dried exudate on skin
Cryotherapy
freezing treatment - liquid nitrogen
Cyst
nodule containing semisolid material
Depigmentation
removal of pigment
Dermatitis
aka eczema
inflammatory process involving epidermis
Dermatome
area of skin supplied by a single spinal root
Desmosome
structure connecting keratinocytes
Drug eruption
skin reaction caused by medication
Ecchymosis
“bruising”
red/purple patch of haemorrhage in skin or mucous membrane
Eccrine
type of sweat gland
Elastosis
degeneration of elastic tissue in dermis
Erosion
break in epidermis
does not reach dermis
Erythroderma
redness over majority of body
Excoriation
superficial abrasion due to scratching
Fissure
linear split in skin
Follicle
depressed cavity
Freckle
pigmented macule by melanin production