glossary of terms Flashcards
what is an abscess
an encapsulated collection of pus
annular
shape of a ring
apocrine gland
Sweat gland
Most commonly located in areas like groin + axilla
Associated with hair follicles
Appendage
Structures associated with skin that serve a particular purpose (Eg. glands + hair)
Adipose
Fatty tissue
Alopecia
Hair loss (associated with many different causes + severities)
Atopy
Allergic hypersensitivity - related to inappropriate overproduction of IgE
Atrophy
Wasting or thinning of skin
Basement membrane
Thin layer of extracellular tissue separating the epidermis + dermis
Benign
Non-Malignant - won’t cause harm
Biopsy
surgical removal of a piece of tissue for histopathological examination
Blaschko’s lines
Lines of embryonic cell migration/normal cell development that aren’t visible under normal conditions
Bulla
Large blister >0.5cm in diameter containing serous fluid
Carbuncle
Cluster of several boils that are connected to each other under the skin
Collagen
Structural protein found in skin + various connective tissues of body
Cryotherapy
Process of freezing a lesion with liquid nitrogen spray
Cyst
pus-filled lesion with a sac separating it from the surrounding tissue
Dermatome
distinct area of skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve
Dermis
Layer of skin in between epidermis + subcutaneous tissue. split into papillary and reticular dermis
Desquamation
Peeling of the skin
Discoid
Disc shaped
Distribution
areas of the body that are affected by a disease (Eg. rash)
Dorsal
Back of hand or top of foot
Dystrophy
Degeneration of normal tissue
Ecchymosis
Bruise
Epidermis
Uppermost layer of skin, situated above the basement membrane
Erythema
Reddening of the skin
Excoriation
Damage to skin caused by scratching or picking
Fissure
Crack or split in skin
Flare
Sudden aggravation or deterioration of a condition
Flexures
Skin of inner elbows and/or back of knees
Fungating
Skin lesion that behaves like a fungus in growth rate + appearance.
Characterised by ulcerations, necrosis and foul odour
Granulation tissue
Newly formed connective tissue and capillaries on the surface of a healing wound
Hirsutism
Excessive growth of body hair in a male distribution
Hyperhydrosis
Excess sweat production
Hyperpigmentation
Darkening of skin
Hypertrichosis
Excessive hair growth
Hypertrophy
Thickening of skin
Hypopigmentation
Whitening/lightening of skin
Idiopathic
Of unknown aetiology
Indurated
Tissue that’s become hardened/firm
Keloid
A raised scar caused by hyper proliferation of scar tissue beyond the wound boundary
Koebner phenomenon / Isomorphic response
The development of newly formed skin lesions in areas where there is skin injury
Lichenification
Thickened, leathery transformation of skin caused by excessive scratching or rubbing
Maceration
The softening/breakdown of skin caused by prolonged exposure to dampness/moisture.
Macule
A well circumscribed flat patch that is different in colour to the surrounding skin. Up to 1cm in diameter.
Malignant
Cancerous
Melanin
Pigment produced by melanocyte cells
Gives colour to human skin, hair and eyes
Morphology
The description of a skin lesion/rash
Necrosis
Tissue death
Nodule
A raised lesion >0.5cm in diameter
Papule
Raised lesion <0.5cm in diameter
Paraesthesia
Numbness/tingling of skin
Often described as pins and needles
Pedunculated
A skin lesion with a stalk
Photodermatosis
A dermatological condition triggered by light exposure
Plantar
Sole of foot
Pruritus
Itch
Pustule
Lesion filled with pus
Recalcitrant
Resistant to treatment
Scale
Thin, dry flakes of skin from the epidermis
Sebaceous gland
Skin gland that secretes sebum into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin + hair
Subcutaneous
Beneath the skin
Telangiectasia
Chronic dilation of the small blood vessels within the skin
Ulceration
Loss of epidermis and part of dermis/ development of an ulcer
Onycholysis
Separation of nail plate from bed
Pitting
Small depressions of nail plate
Purpura
Extravasation of blood, will not Blanche, may be raised
Petechia
1-2mm area of flat purpura
Patch
Localised flat coloured rash >1cm
Plaque
Raised edged lesion w flatter surface >1cm
Vesicle
Fluid filled blister <0.5cm
Scale
Accumulated Fragments of keratin layer
Crust
Dried exudate (eg, serum)
Erosion
Superficial break in epidermis
Ulcer
Deeper break into dermis
HAIR TYPES
Langugo
Fine long hairs that cover the foetus, shed about 1 month before birth
can re-occur in anorexia
HAIR TYPES
Vellus
Fine, Short hair covering much of body surfaces. Replaces lanugo hairs before birth
HAIR TYPES
Terminal
Long, Coarse hairs (eg. scalp & pubic area)
Growth influenced by androgen levels