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