Pathology Flashcards
Dermatology
Branch of medicine involving diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the integumentary system. Physician is a ‘dermatologist.’
Plastic Surgery
Surgical specialty involved in repair, reconstruction, or improvement of body structures such as the skin that are damaged, missing, or misshapen, Physician is a ‘plastic surgeon.’
Abrasion
A scraping away of the skin surface by friction
Anhidrosis
Abnormal condition of no sweat
Comedo
Collection of hardened sebum in hair follicle. Also called a ‘blackhead.’
Contusion
Injury caused by a blow to the body; causes swelling, pain, and bruising. The skin is not broken
Cyanosis
Bluish tint to the skin caused by deoxygenated blood
Cyst
Fluid-filled sac under the skin
Depigmentation
Loss of normal skin color or pigment
Diaphoresis
Profuse sweating
Ecchymosis
Skin discoloration caused by blood collecting under the skin following blunt trauma to the skin. A bruise
Erythema
Redness or flushing of the skin
Erythroderma
The condition of having reddened or flushed skin
Eschar
A thick layer of dead tissue and tissue fluid that develops over a deep burn area
Fissure
Crack-like lesion or groove on the skin
Hirsutism
Excessive hair growth over the body
Hyperemia
Redness of the skin due to increased blood flow
Hyperhidrosis
Abnormal condition of excessive sweat
Hyperpigmentation
Abnormal amount of pigmentation in the skin
Ichthyoderma
The condition of having scaly and dry skin
Lesion
A general term for a wound, injury, or abnormality
Leukoderma
Having skin that appears white because the normal skin pigment is absent. May be all the skin or just in some areas
Lipoma
Fatty mass
Macule
Flat, discolored area that is flush with the skin surface. An example would be a freckle or a birthmark
Necrosis
Abnormal condition of death
Nevus
Pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole. Usually benign but may become cancerous
Nodule
Firm, solid mass of cells in the skin larger than 0.5 cm in diameter
Onychomalacia
Softening of the nails
Pallor
Abnormal paleness of the skin
Papule
Small, solid, circular raised spot on the surface of the skin less than 0.5 cm in diameter
Petechiae
Pinpoint purple or red spots from minute hemorrhages under the skin
Photosensitivity
Condition in which the skin reacts abnormally when exposed to light, such as the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun
Pruritus
Severe itching
Purpura
Hemorrhages into the skin due to fragile blood vessels. Commonly seen in older adults
Purulent
Containing pus or an infection that is producing pus. Pus consists of dead bacteria, white blood cells, and tissue debris
Pustule
Raised spot on the skin containing pus
Pyoderma
The presence of pus on or in the layers of skin. A sign of a bacterial infection
Scleroderma
A condition in which the skin has lost its elasticity and becomes hardened
Seborrhea
Oily discharge
Suppurative
Containing or producing pus
Ulcer
Open sore or lesion in skin or mucous membrane
Urticaria
Also called ‘hives’; a skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching. Usually associated with food allergy, stress, or drug reactions
Vesicle
A blister; small, fluid-filled raised spot on the skin
Wheal
Small, round, swollen area on the skin; typically seen in allergic skin reactions such as hives and usually accompanied by urticaria
Xeroderma
Condition in which the skin is abnormally dry
Abscess
A collection of pus in the skin
Acne
Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles resulting in papules and pustules
Acne Rosacea
Chronic form of acne seen in adults involving redness, tiny pimples, and broken blood vessels, primarily on the nose and cheeks
Acne Vulgaris
Common form of acne seen in teenagers. Characterized by comedo, papules, and pustules
Albinism
A genetic condition in which the body is unable to make melanin. Characterized by white hair and skin and red pupils due to the lack of pigment. The person with albinism is called an ‘albino.’
Basal Cell Carcinoma
Cancerous tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis. A frequent type of skin cancer that rarely metastasizes or spreads. These cancers can arise on sun-exposed skin
Burn
Damage to the skin that can result from exposure to open fire, electricity, ultraviolet light from the sun, or caustic chemicals. Seriousness depends on the amount of body surface involved and the depth of the burn as determined by the amount of damage to each layer. Skin and burns are categorized as first degree(skin reddened), second degree(blisters), or third degree(charring)
Rule of Nines
A method for determining percentage of body burned. Each different-colored section represents a percentage of the body surface. All sections added together will equal 100%
Cellulitis
A diffuse, acute infections and inflammation of the connective tissue found in the skin
Cicatrix
A scar
Decubitus Ulcer
Open sore caused by pressure over bony prominences cutting off the blood flow to the overlying skin. These can appear in bedridden patients who lie in one position too long and can be difficult to heal. Also called ‘bedsore’ or ‘pressure sore.’
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
Dermatosis
A general term indicating the presence of an abnormal skin condition
Dry Gangrene
Late stages of gangrene characterized by the affected area becoming dried, blackened, and shriveled; referred to as ‘mummified.’
Eczema
Superficial dermatitis of unknown cause accompanied by redness, vesicles, itching, and crusting
Gangrene
Tissue necrosis usually due to deficient blood supply
Ichthyosis
Condition in which the skin becomes dry, scaly, and keratinized
Impetigo
A highly infectious bacterial infection of the skin with pustules that rupture and become crusted over
Kaposi’s Sarcoma
Form of skin cancer frequently seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Consists of brownish-purple papules that spread from the skin and metastasize to internal organs
Keloid
Formation of a raised and thickened hypertrophic scar after an injury or surgery
Keratosis
Term for any skin condition involving an over-growth and thickening of the epidermis layer
Laceration
A torn or jagged wound; incorrectly used to describe a cut
Malignant Melanoma
Dangerous form of skin cancer caused by an uncontrolled growth of melanocytes. May quickly metastasize or spread to internal organs
Pediculosis
Infestation with lice. The eggs laid by the lice are called nits and cling tightly to hair
Psoriasis
Chronic inflammatory condition consisting of papules forming “silvery scale” patches with circular borders
Rubella
Contagious viral skin infection. Commonly called ‘German measles.’
Scabies
Contagious skin disease caused by an egg-laying mite that burrows through the skin and causes redness and intense itching; often seen in children
Sebaceous Cyst
Sac under the skin filled with sebum or oil from a sebaceous gland. This can grow to a large size and may need to be excised
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Cancer of the epidermis layer of skin that may invade deeper tissue and metastasize. Often begins as a sore that does not heal
Strawberry Hemangioma
Congenital collection of dilated blood vessels causing a red birthmark that fades a few months after birth
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Chronic disease of the connective tissue that injures the skin, joints, kidneys, nervous system, and mucous membranes. This is an autoimmune condition, meaning that the body’s own immune system attacks normal tissue of the body. May produce a characteristic red, scaly butterfly rash across the cheeks and nose
Tinea
Fungal skin disease resulting in itching, scaling lesions
Tinea Capitis
Fungal infection of the scalp. Commonly called ‘ringworm.’
Tinea Pedis
Fungal infection of the foot. Commonly called ‘athlete’s foot.’
Varicella
Contagious viral skin infection. Commonly called ‘chickenpox.’
Verruca
Commonly called ‘warts’; a benign growth caused by a virus. Has a rough surface that is removed by chemicals and/or laser therapy
Vitiligo
Disappearance of pigment from the skin in patches, causing a milk-white appearance. Also called ‘leukoderma.’
Wet Gangrene
An area of gangrene that becomes secondarily infected by pus-producing bacteria
Alopecia
Absence or loss of hair, especially of the head. Commonly called ‘baldness.’
Carbuncle
Furuncle involving several hair follicles
Furuncle
Bacterial infection of a hair follicle. Characterized by redness, pain, and swelling. Also called a ‘boil.’
Trichomycosis
Abnormal condition of hair fungus
Onychia
Infected nail bed
Onychomycosis
Abnormal condition of nail fungus
Onychophagia
Nail eating (nail biting)
Paronychia
Infection of the skin fold around a nail
Chiropractic
Healthcare profession concerned with diagnosis and treatment of mal-alignment conditions of the spine and musculoskeletal system with the intention of affecting the nervous system and improving health. Healthcare professional is a ‘chiropractor.’
Orthopedics
Branch of medicine specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of conditions of the musculoskeletal system; also called ‘orthopedic surgery.’ Physician is an ‘orthopedist’ or ‘orthopedic surgeon.’ Name derived from straightening deformities in children
Orthotics
Healthcare profession specializing in making orthopedic appliances such as braces and splints. Person skilled in making and adjusting these appliances is an ‘orthotist.’
Podiatry
Healthcare profession specializing in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and lower legs. Healthcare professional is a ‘podiatrist.’
Prosthetics
Healthcare profession specializing in making artificial body parts. Person skilled in making and adjusting prostheses is a ‘prosthetist.’
Arthralgia
Joint pain
Bursitis
Inflammation of a bursa
Callus
The mass of bone tissue that forms at a fracture site during its healing
Chondromalacia
Softening of the cartilage
Crepitation
The noise produced by bones or cartilage rubbing together in conditions such as arthritis. Also called ‘crepitus.’
Ostealgia
Bone pain
Osteomyelitis
Inflammation of bone and bone marrow
Synovitis
Inflammation of synovial membrane
Closed Fracture
Fracture in which there is no open skin wound. Also called a ‘simple fracture.’
Colles’ Fracture
Fracture of the distal forearm in which the broken end of the radius is bent backwards
Comminuted Fracture
Fracture in which the bone is shattered, splintered, or crushed into many small pieces or fragments
Compound Fracture
Fracture in which the skin has been broken through to the fracture. Also called an ‘open fracture.’
Compression Fracture
Fracture involving loss of height of a vertebral body. It may be the result of trauma, but in older people, especially women, it may be caused by conditions like osteoporosis
Fracture
A broken bone
Greenstick Fracture
Fracture in which there is an incomplete break; one side of bone is broken and the other side is bent. This type of fracture is commonly found in children due to their softer and more pliable bone structure
Impacted Fracture
Fracture in which bone fragments are pushed into each other
Oblique Fracture
Fracture at an angle to the bone
Pathologic Fracture
Fracture caused by diseased or weakened bone
Spiral Fracture
Fracture in which the fracture line spirals around the shaft of the bone. Can be caused by a twisting injury and is often slower to heal than other types of fractures
Stress Fracture
A slight fracture caused by repetitive low-impact forces, like running, rather than a single forceful impact
Transverse Fracture
Complete fracture that is straight across the bone at right angles to the long axis of the bone
Chondroma
A tumor, usually benign, that forms in cartilage
Ewing’s Sarcoma
Malignant growth found in the shaft of long bones that spreads through the periosteum. Removal is the treatment of choice because this tumor will metastasize or spread to other organs
Exostosis
A bone spur
Myeloma
A tumor that forms in bone marrow tissue
Osteochondroma
A tumor, usually benign, that consists of both bone and cartilage tissue
Osteogenic Sarcoma
The most common type of bone cancer. Usually begins in osteocytes found at the ends of long bones
Osteomalacia
Softening of the bones caused by a deficiency of calcium. It is thought to be caused by insufficient sunlight and vitamin D in children
Osteopathy
A general term for bone disease
Osteoporosis
Decrease in bone mass producing a thinning and weakening of the bone with resulting fractures. The bone becomes more porous, especially in the spine and pelvis
Paget’s Disease
A fairly common metabolic disease of the bone from unknown causes. It usually attacks middle-aged and older adults and is characterized by bone destruction and deformity. Named for Sir James Paget, a British surgeon
Rickets
Deficiency in calcium and vitamin D found in early childhood that results in bone deformities, especially bowed legs
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Inflammatory spinal condition resembling rheumatoid arthritis and results in gradual stiffening and fusion of the vertebrae. More common in men than women
Herniated Nucleus Pulposus (HNP)
Herniation or protrusion of an intervertebral disk; also called ‘herniated disk’ or ‘ruptured disk’; may require surgery
Kyphosis
Abnormal increase in the outward curvature of the thoracic spine. Also known as ‘hunchback’ or ‘humpback.’
Lordosis
Abnormal increase in the forward curvature of the lumbar spine. Also known as ‘swayback.’
Scoliosis
Abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
Spina Bifida
Congenital anomaly occurring when a vertebra fails to fully form around the spinal cord
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal causing pressure on the cord and nerves
Spondylolisthesis
The forward sliding of a lumbar vertebra over the vertebra below it
Spondylosis
Specifically refers to ankylosing of the spine, but commonly used in reference to any degenerative condition of the vertebral column
Whiplash
Cervical muscle and ligament sprain or strain as a result of a sudden movement forward and backward of the head and neck. Can occur as a result of a rear-end auto collision
Bunion
Inflammation of the bursa of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (base of the big toe)
Dislocation
Occurs when the bones in a joint are displaced from their normal alignment and the ends of the bones are no longer in contact
Osteoarthritis (OA)
Arthritis resulting in degeneration of the bones and joints, especially those bearing weight. Results in bone rubbing against bone
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Chronic form of arthritis with inflammation of the joints, swelling, stiffness, pain, and changes in the cartilage that can result in crippling deformities; considered to be an autoimmune disease
Sprain
Damage to the ligaments surrounding a joint due to overstretching, but no dislocation of the joint or fracture of the bone
Subluxation
An incomplete dislocation, the joint alignment is disrupted, but the ends of the bones remain in contact
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease of connective tissue affecting many systems that may include joint pain and arthritis. May be mistaken for rheumatoid arthritis
Talipes
Congenital deformity causing misalignment of the ankle joint and foot. Also referred to as a ‘clubfoot.’
