Medical Issues Vocab #3 Flashcards
integument
the skin
the largest organ of the body
epidermis
outermost layer of skin
five layers
layers of epidermis
stratum basale stratum spinosum stratum granulosum stratum lucidum stratum corneum
dermis
middle layer of skin
composed of a papillary layer and a reticular layer
hypodermis
deepest layer of skin (subcutaneous layer)
made of connective tissue (binds the dermis to the deeper structures) and adipose (insulation and cushioning)
stratum basale
consists of a single layer of cuboidal cells that undergo mitosis
contains pigment-producing melanocytes
form the new cells for the skin
stratum spinosum
composed of several layers of cells with centrally located, large, oval nuclei and spinelike processes
limited mitosis
provides strength and flexibility to the skin
stratum granulosum
composed of one or more layers of granular cells that contain fibers of keratin and shriveled nuclei
stratum lucidum
a thin, clear layer found only in the epidermis of the palms of the hands and soles of the feet
adds a layer of protection to the skin
stratum corneum
consists of may layers of keratinized, dead cells that are flattened and nonnucleated; cornified
primary lesion
physical changes in the skin considered to be caused directly by the disease process
secondary lesion
lesions that may evolve from primary lesions, or may be caused by external forces such as scratching, trauma, infection, or the healing process
macule
a circumscribed spot up to 1 cm
not palpable
not elevated above or depressed below surrounding skin
hypopigmented, hyerpigmented, or erythematous
macule examples
freckles
cafe au lain spots
Mongolian spots
papule
bump
palpable and circumscribed
elevated and less than 5 mm in diameter
may be pigmented, erythematous, or flesh-tones
papule example
mole (elevated nevus)
nodule
lesion similar to a papule
diameter of 5mm to 2 cm
may have a significant palpable dermal component
nodule examples
fibroma
xanthoma
intradermal nevi
tumor
any mass lesion
generally larger than a nodule
may be either malignant or benign
tumor example
lipoma
plaque
usually well-circumscribed lesion with large surface area and slight elevation
plaque examples
psoriasis
lichen planus
wheal
elevation of the skin
smooth surface and sloping borders
usually light pink color
caused by acute areas of edema in the skin
may appear, disappear, or change form abruptly within minutes or hours
size ranges from 3 mm to 20 mm
wheal example
mosquito bite
vesicle
small blister up to 5 mm in diameter fluid collection may be subcorneal intraepidermal subepidermal
vesicle example
herpes simplex (early stages)
bulla
blister larger than 5 mm
fluid may be located at various levels
bulla examples
pemphigus
pemphigoid
pustule
an elevated, well-circumscribed lesion containing purulent exudates
pustule example
acne vulgaris
erosion
loss of epidermis that does not extend into dermis
erosion example
ruptured chickenpox vesicle
ulcer
loss of skin through the epidermis
healing results in scar formation
ulcer example
stasis ulcer
fissure
a split in all epidermal layers of skin
fissure example
athlete’s foot
atrophy
diminution of epidermal surface
skin looks thinner and more translucent than normal
atrophy of the dermal layers may result in wasting or depression of the skin surface
atrophy example
arterial insufficiency
excoriation
loss of outer skin layers from scratching or rubbing
excoriation example
scratched insect bite
crust
collection of serous exudates and debris on the surface of damages or absent outer skin layers
crust examples
impetigo
scale
a compact portion of desquamation stratum corneum
may vary in size, thickness, and consistency
scale examples
psoriasis scale (compact and thick) pityriasis rosea scale (thin and small)
lichenification
epidermal thickening and roughening of the skin with increased visibility of skin surface furrows
lichenification examples
chronic atopic dermatitis
scar
a collection of fibrous tissue that forms to replace lost epidermal and dermal tissue
scar examples
surgical scar
acne scar
keloid
augmentation of scar tissue, creating a significant elevation on the skin surface after healing
keloid example
postsurgical scar
postacne scar
ultraviolet radiation
invisible rays that are part of the energy that comes from the sun
may burn the skin and cause skin cancer
solar
of or pertaining to the sun
sebaceous
an object that secretes a fatty substance
mole
a small spot or blemish on the skin
usually dark, slightly elevated, and sometimes hairy
-papule
xeroderma pigmentosum (XP)
a genetic disease characterized by such extraordinary sensitivity to sunlight that it results in the development of skin cancer at an early age
abscess
a local accumulation of pus anywhere in the body
furuncle
also knows as a boil
tender, dome-shaped skin lesion caused by an infection around a hair follicle with Staphlococcus aureus
carbuncle
collection of pus that forms in the skin
-skin abscess
functions of the integumentary system
blood reservoir protects the body's internal living tissues and organs helps with vitamin D synthesis storage of nutrients excretion (some absorption) transdermal drug administration body temp. regulation cutaneous sensations
three prevention strategies for skin conditions and infections
- clean environment
- hand hygiene
- overall hygiene
- no sharing
- no open cuts in whirlpools
- report all open wounds and lesions to an ATC
