System Terms Flashcards
Abscess
An enclosed collection of pus in tissues, organs, or confined spaces in the body.
Adipocyte
Fat cell
Adipose tissue
Fat tissue
Autonomic
Involuntary or unconscious
Avascular
Without blood vessels
Bacteria
Single-cell microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and may cause infection by invading tissue
Benign
Non-cancerous
Biopsy
The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist
Cancer
Abnormal cells in the body that divide uncontrollably
Cauterize
To destroy tissue using a hot or cold instrument, an electrical current, or a chemical that burns or dissolves the tissue to kill tumors or stop bleeding
Cellulitis
An infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by tenderness, fever, and blisters
Contusion
Injury resulting in a bruise
Cyanosis
A condition in which the oxygen supply is restricted, causing the skin to look blue
Cyst
Closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material
Debridement
Excision of damaged tissues and cell debris from a wound or burn to prevent infection and promote healing
Dehydration
A net loss of water that results in insufficient water in blood and other tissues
Dermabrasion
A procedure to remove superficial scars using sandpaper or revolving wire bushes
Dermatitis
Inflammation of the skin
Dermatofibroma
Fibrous tumor of the skin
Dermatologist
Medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin disorders
Dermatology
Study of disorders of the skin
Dermis
The layer of skin that is made of dense, irregular connective tissue that houses blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures
Diaphoresis
Sweating
Eczema
Non-infectious, inflammatory disease presenting as redness, blisters, scabs, and itching.
Edema
Swelling due to excessive liquid in the tissues
Epidermis
The outer, protective layer of the skin
Excisional skin surgery
A surgical procedure used to remove moles, cysts, skin cancer, and other skin growths using local anesthesia
Exocytosis
A form of active transport in which a cell exports material using vesicular transport
Fascia
Fibrous tissue
Frostbite
A condition in which conservation of the body core heat results in the skin freezing
Gangrene
Death of tissue due to blood supply loss
Hidradenitis
Inflammation of a sweat gland
Hypodermis
Also known as the subcutaneous layer; the layer of the skin below the dermis that is composed mainly of loose connective and fatty tissues
Incision
A cut made into the body to perform surgery
Infection
The invasion and growth of bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms in the body
Intradermal
Within the skin
Intravenous
Into or within the vein
Jaundiced
Yellow-colored
Keloid
A raised or hypertrophic scar
Keratinocytes
Cells that manufacture and store the protein keratin
Keratosis
Any growth of horny tissue
Laceration
Torn, ragged-edged wound
Lesion
An area of abnormal tissue
Meissner corpuscle
A specialized sensory nerve structure that responds to light touch
Melanocyte
A cell that produces the pigment melanin
Metastasis
The process in which cancer spreads from one part of the body to another
Necrosis
Accidental cell death
Nevus
A benign growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes
Nodule
A growth or lump that may be malignant or benign
Onychocryptosis
An ingrown nail
Onychophagia
Nail-biting
Osteomalacia
A softening of adult bones dueto Vitamin D decifiency
Pacinian Corpuscle
A specialized sensory nerve structure that responds to vibration
Pallor
Unnatural paleness of the skin
Paronychia
Infection of the skin around the nail
Pathogen
An organism that causes a disease
Percutaneous
Passing through the skin, as an injection or a tropical medicine
Phagocytes
Cells that engulf and absorb bacteria and cell particles
Pruitus
Intching
Reticulated
Net like
Rhytidoplasty
Excision of wrinkles of the skin
Rickets
A painful condition in children where bones are misshapen due to a lack of calcium, causing bow-leggedness
Scar
A collagen-rich skin formed after the process of wound healing that differs from normal skin
Staphylococcus aureus
A bacteria that is commonly found in minor skin infections, as well as the nose of some healthy people
Stratum basale
The deepest layer of epidermis
Streptococcuss
The bacteria that causes strep throat
Subcutaneous
Beneath the skin
Sympathetic nervous system
The division of nervous system involved in our fight or flight responses. In continuously monitors body temperature and initiates appropriate motor responses
Tinea
A group of fungal skin diseases of the hair, skin, and nail tissues
Transdermal
Absorbed through the unbroken skin
Vascularized
Tissue that has numerous blood vessels
Virus
A simple microorganism that may cause infection by invading boy tissue.
