The Integumentary System
Cyanosis
A blue tinge seen in the skin and mucous membranes caused by oxygen deficiency in tissues
Eczema
A chronic form of dermatitis characterized by flakiness of the epidermis
Cyst
A closed sac or pouch filled with fluid
Decubitus Layer
A common form of ulcer that arises from lack of movement when lying supine for an extended period of time
Macule
A discolored flat spot on the skin surface, such as a freckle
Tinea capitis
A fungal infection that forms on the scalp and can lead to alopecia
Tinea corporis
A fungal infection that occurs on the body surface
Tinea pedis
A fungal infection that occurs on the foot; also known as athlete's foot
Dermatitis
A generalized inflammation of the skin involving edema
Cellulite
A local uneven surface of the skin caused by fat deposition
Abscess
A localized elevation of the skin containing a cavity filled with bacteria, white blood cells, damaged tissue, and pus
Nevus
A pigmented spot on the skin; a mole
Carbuncle
A skin infection composed of a cluster of boils
Abrasion
A superficial scraping injury to the skin
Wheal
A temporary, itchy elevation of the skin
Contact dermatitis
A type of skin inflammation ,caused by physical contact with a triggering substance, such as poison ivy
Actinic dermatitis
A type of skin inflammation caused by sunlight exposure
Verruca
A wart that is a sign of infection by a papillomavirus
Pallor
Abnormal pale color of the skin
Scleroderma
Abnormal thickening or hardness of the skin, caused by inflammation
Furuncle
Abscess associated with a hair follicle
Urticaria
Allergic skin reaction to foods, infection, or injury that produces small fluid-filled skin elevations; also known as hives
Seborrheic dermatitis
An inherited form of skin inflammation characterized by excessive sebum production
Keloid
An overgrowth of elevated scar tissue that is often different from adjacent, normal skin
Erythema
Any redness of the skin
Papule
Any small, solid elevation on the skin, such as a comedo
Acne
Bacterial infection of sebaceous glands and ducts resulting in numerous comedones
Alopecia
Baldness; may be a sign of an infection of the scalp, high fevers, drug reactions, or emotional stress
Burn
Caused by excessive exposure to fire, chemicals, or sunlight and measured by total body surface area (TBSA) and depth of the damage
Psoriasis
Characterized by red lesions covered with silvery epidermal scales
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Chronic, progressive disease of connective tissue affecting the skin and many other organs commonly known as lupus
Contusion
Commonly known as a bruise
Ecchymosis
Condition caused by leaking blood vessels in the dermis, producing purplish patches of purpura
Xeroderma
Condition characterized by abnormally dry skin
Leukoderma
Condition in which skin becomes lighter in color due to a reduced activity of the pigment-producing cells
Impetigo
Contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by small vesicles and a yellowish crust following the rupture of the vesicles
Pustules
Elevated area of the skin filled with pus
Subcutaneous
Fatty layer under the dermis
Trichomycosis
Fungal infection of hair
Albinism
Genetic condition characterized by reduction of the skin pigment melanin
Pediculosis
Head lice; may also be found in the pubic region and other parts of the body
Cellulitis
Inflammation of the connective tissue in the dermis caused by an infection
Induration
Local hard areas on the skin
Sebaceous
Medical name for oil glands
Cicatrix
Medical term for scar
Actinic keratosis
Precancerous condition of the skin caused by exposure to sunlight
Laceration
Result of an injury caused by a tear, or perhaps a cut
Petechia
Rupture of a small blood vessel supplying the dermis of the skin
Scabies
Skin eruption caused by the female itch mite
Vesicle
Small skin elevation filled with fluid; a blister
Edema
Swelling due to leakage of fluid from the bloodstream into the interstitial space between body cells
Pruritus
Symptom of itchy skin
Purpura
Symptom of purple-red skin discoloration usually the result of a broken blood vessel
Fissure
The clinical term for a narrow break or slit in the skin
Dermis
The layer of the skin containing glands and nerves
Epidermis
The outermost layer of the skin
Lunula
The pale, crescent moon seen at the base of the nail
Hair follicle
The sac around a hair root
Cuticle
The skin around the lunula
Sweat glands
These produce perspiration
Herpes
Viral skin eruption that produces clusters of deep blisters; major types are oral, genital, and shingles
Jaundice
Yellowish-orange coloration of the skin, sclera of the eyes, and deeper tissues that is a collective sign of liver disease
Emollient
a chemical agent that softens or smoothes the skin
Onychopathy
a disease of nails associated with either fingers or toes
Kaposi's sarcoma
a form of skin cancer arising from the connective tissue of the dermis; common among people with AIDS
Biopsy (Bx or bx)
a minor surgical procedure that involves the surgical extraction of tissue for microscopic analysis
Onychocryptosis
a nail buried in the skin due to abnormal growth, commonly called ingrown nail
Chemical peel
a procedure in which a chemical agent is used to remove the outer epidermal layers to treat acne, wrinkles, and sun-damaged skin
Dermatoheteroplasty
a procedure in which skin from another person is grafted onto a person's existing skin; also called allograft
Ultraviolet light therapy
a treatment for acne and other related skin disorders in which ultraviolet light is applied to the skin to slough away the upper layers of the epidermis
Retinoid
a type of medication that is used to manage certain forms of acne by causing the upper layers of the epidermis to slough away
Onychomalacia
abnormally soft nails; often a sign of calcium or vitamin D deficiency
Malignant melanoma
an aggressive skin cancer arising from melanocytes, which is the most life-threatening form of skin cancer
Paronychia
an infection alongside the nail
Dermatome
an instrument that cuts thin slices of skin for grafting or removes small skin lesions
Debridement
excision of foreign matter and unwanted tissue with irrigation
Dermabrasion
form of cosmetic surgery in which the skin is surgically changed to improve appearance
Onychomycosis
fungal infection of one or more nails
Comedo
skin blemish that is caused by a buildup of sebaceous oils; pimple
Squamous cell carcinoma
skin tumor that arises from a superficial layer of the epidermis
Basal cell carcinoma
skin tumor that arises from the epidermis
Antibiotics
substances with known toxicity to bacteria used as a therapy against bacterial infections
Dermatoautoplasty
surgery in which the patient's own skin is used as a graft, also called an autograft
Dermatoplasty
surgical repair of the skin
Liposuction
the removal of subcutaneous fat by insertion of a device that applies a vacuum to pull the fat tissue out of the body
Rhytidoplasty
the surgical repair of skin wrinkles