unit 4 (integumentary system) - medical vocabulary Flashcards
acne
inflammatory disorder of the sebaceous glands that produces pimples on the skin
albinism
an inherited condition that prevents the normal production of melanin, resulting in extremely pale skin and white hair
allergy skin test
a test used to identify allergies
alopecia
hair loss that results from genetics, normal aging, illness, or drugs used to treat certain diseases
anesthetic
a drug that causes a reversible loss of sensation or pain; used to temporarily deaden pain
antibiotic
a drug that fights or prevents bacterial infections
antifungal
a drug used to fight off fungal infections
antipruritic
a drug used to inhibit itching
antiviral
a drug used to treat viral infections, such as herpes
arrector pili
bundles of small muscle fibers
autograft
the surgical transfer of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another part of the same body
basal cell carcinoma
a commonly slow-growing, malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis that typically does not metastasize
basal layer
the deepest layer of the epidermis that is constantly growing and multiplying, with younger cells pushing old cells to the surface
blepharoplasty
plastic surgery of the eyelid
biologic
a drug derived from living organisms through molecular biology techniques; used to disrupt the autoimmune response in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis
biopsy
the removal of a small piece of living tissue for microscopic examination
cauterization
destruction of tissue through the application of heat, cold, or an electrical current
chemical peel
the use of chemicals to remove outer layers of the skin
cicatrix
a scar left by a healed wound
collagen
a fibrous protein found in skin, bone, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments
corticosteroid
a drug used to treat skin conditions linked to autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
cryosurgery
the destruction of abnormal tissue through freezing with liquid nitrogen
curettage
the removal of tissue by scraping the surface
cuticle
a narrow band of epidermal tissue attached to the surface of the nail
cyanosis
the appearance of a blue or purple discoloration of the skin or mucous membranes due to insufficient blood oxygen or poor circulation
cyst
a closed, thick-walled sac or pouch containing fluid or semisolid material that develops in a cavity or other structure of the body
debridement
the removal of damaged tissue and foreign debris to prevent infection and promote healing
dermabrasion
the use of abrasive materials to remove layers of skin
dermatologist
a physician who diagnoses and treats conditions and diseases of the skin, hair, and nails
dermatology technician
a specialized medical assistant who works in the skin-care field
dermoplasty
the replacement of damaged skin with donor skin from a different region of the body
dermis
the layer of skin that lies directly below the epidermis, and which is made up of connective tissue, blood and lymphatic vessels, nerve fibers, hair follicles, and sebaceous and sweat glands
ecchymosis
black-and-blue or purplish bruise caused by ruptured blood vessels beneath the skin
eczema
acute or chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by erythema, itchiness, and edema (swelling)
epidermis
the outermost layer of skin
epithelial tissue
tissue, composed of densely packed cells, that covers the surface of the body and also lines internal organs and cavities
excisional biopsy
the surgical removal of an entire lesion or tumor
excretion
the process of eliminating waste products from the body
exfoliative cytology
a biopsy in which living tissue is scraped
first-degree burn
a skin burn characterized by superficial epidermal lesions
fissure
a groove or crack; also known as a sore
gangrene
necrosis, or death, of tissue due to loss of blood supply, followed by bacterial infection
gland
a cell, or group of cells, that secretes select substances within or out of the body
hair follicles
tiny secretory cavities from which hair grows
hair shaft
the nongrowing part of a hair that protrudes from the skin
immunosuppressant
a drug used to treat certain conditions (psoriasis and eczema, for example) by suppressing the immune system
impetigo
bacterial infection of the skin characterized by vesicles (small, fluid-filled sacs), pustules (small, pus-filled blisters) and crusted-over lesions
incision and drainage (I&D)
a procedure in which an incision is made through the skin to drain fluid or an abscess
incisional biopsy
a biopsy in which an incision is made to remove small piece of tissue
integumentary system
body system composed of the skin and its accessories
intradermal skin test
a test in which different substances are injected into the skin to test for allergic reactions
Kaposi’s sarcoma
malignant cancer that causes erythematous (red) or purplish patches in the lining of the mouth, nose, and throat or in other organs and tissues; a disease often seen in AIDS patients
keloid
an abnormally raised, thickened scar
keratin
a fibrous, water-repellent protein
laser therapy
the use of laser light waves to treat skin conditions
lipectomy
the surgical removal of fat below the skin
lipids
a group of organic compounds that lubricate the skin and minimize water loss
lipocytes
cells that manufacture and store fat
liposuction
the use of suction during surgery to remove fat below the skin
lunula
the semilunar (half-moon shaped), white area at the proximal end of the nail
macule
a small, flat, discolored (brownish or red) lesion on the skin; also known as a freckle
malignant melanoma
a cancerous growth composed of melanocytes that begins as an irregularly shaped macule and then changes color and texture; classified as level I, II, III, or IV, depending on the level of penetration
melanin
pigment responsible for the skin’s color and which also helps protect skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun
melanocytes
cells located in the epidermis that contain and produce dark brown-to-black pigments called melanin
Mohs surgery
a surgical method for treating skin cancer; thin, tumorous skin layers are successively removed and examined, the process continuing until there is no evidence of the tumor
mucous membrane
a thin, pliable layer of tissue that lines any body cavity that opens to the outside world (for example, the nasal passage)
nail plate
the hard, translucent part of the nail
nail root
the area of the dermis on which the nail rests
nails
accessory organs of the skin that are made of hard keratin
needle biopsy
a biopsy in which a hollow needle is used to remove a core sample of tissue
nevus
a highly pigmented lesion of the skin that is flat or raised; also known as a mole
nodule
a solid skin elevation larger than one centimeter in diameter; may develop in the epidermis, dermis, or subcutaneous layer
papule
a solid skin elevation with distinct borders and a diameter of less than one centimeter; also known as a pimple
perspiration
the fluid excreted by sweat glands, also known as sweat
petechia
round, pinpoint spots on the skin caused by intradermal hemorrhage
polyp
a small, mushroom-like growth, typically benign, that extends from the surface of a mucous membrane
psoriasis
a chronic disease marked by itchy, erythematous skin with silvery patches
punch biopsy
a biopsy in which a rotating place is used to produce a cylindrical core of tissue
purpura
a purple or brownish-red rash in which blood leaks from vessels into the skin or mucous membranes
pustule
a small, infected skin elevation that contains pus; also known as an abscess
rhytidectomy
the elimination of wrinkles by surgically removing skin from the face
scabies
a contagious, parasitic infection of the skin with intense pruritus (itching)
scleroderma
a chronic, progressive disease of the skin marked by hardening and shrinking of connective tissue, which causes edema or pain in the muscles or joints
sclerotherapy
the injection of a medical solution, such as saline, into varicose veins or spider veins to remove these veins
scratch test
a type of allergy skin test; the forearm is scratched with lancets and a variety of substances
sebaceous glands
glands that secrete sebum and are located in the dermal layer of the skin
sebum
an oily substance that lubricates the skin and hair
second-degree burn
a skin burn characterized by epidermal and dermal lesions, erythema, blisters, and hyperesthesia
squamous cell carcinoma
malignant tumor of the squamous epithelial cells of the epidermis; may grow in other organs lined with epithelial cells
stratified squamous epithelium
the upper layer of the epidermis
subcutaneous layer
the deepest layer of the skin
sweat glands
tiny, coiled glands that secrete sweat (perspiration) and are located in the dermis
systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
a chronic, inflammatory disease of collagen in the skin, joints, and internal organs; autoimmune disease
third-degree burn
a skin burn in which the epidermis and dermis are destroyed
tinea
a skin infection caused by a fungus
ulcer
an open sore or an erosion of the skin or lining of a mucous membrane
urticaria
condition characterized by hives with localized swelling and itching
varicose veins
veins that have a twisting appearance due to loss of elasticity
vesicle
a small, raised skin lesion filled with clear fluid; also known as a blister
vitiligo
loss of pigment in one or more areas of the skin, creating the appearance of milky-white patches
wart
a small, hard, benign skin growth caused by a virus (usually a papillomavirus)
wheal
a smooth, slightly swollen area that is redder or paler than the surrounding skin; a characteristic of hives
