Chapter 5 Terms | Chp 5 Terms Definitions |
abscess | walled cavity containing pus and surrounded by inflammed or necrotic tissue |
acne | inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles of the skin |
Bowen disease | form of intraepidermal carcinoma (squamous cells) caharacterized by red-brown scaly or crusted lesions that resemble a patch of psoriasis or deratitis |
carbuncle | deep-seated pyogenic infection of the skin usually involing subcutaneous tissues |
cellulitis | diffuse (widespread), acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue |
chloasma | pigmentary skin disccoloration usually occuring in yellowish-brown patches or spots |
comedo | typical small skin lesion of acne vulgaris caused by accumulation of keratin, bacteria, and dried sebum plugging an excretory duct of the skin |
decubitus ulcer | skin ulceration caused by prolonged pressure, usually in a person who is bedridden; also known as a bedsore |
dermatomycosis | fungal infection of the skin |
ecchymosis | skin discoloration consisting of a large, irregularly formed hemorrhagic area with colors changing from blue-black to greenish brown or yellow; commonly called a bruise |
eczema | acute or chronic skin inflammation characterized by erythema, papules, vesicles, pustules, scales, crusts, scabs, and possibly, itching |
erythema | redness of the skin caused by swelling of the capillaries |
eschar | damaged tissue following a severe burn |
furuncle | bacterial infection of a hair follicle or sebaceous gland that produces a pus-filled lesion commonly called a boil |
hirsution | condition caharaterized by the excessive growth of hair or presence of hair in unusual places, especially in women |
impetigo | inflammatory skin disease characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture |
keratosis | thickened area of the epidermis; any horny growth on the skin (such as a callus or wart) |
lentigo | small brown macules, especially on the face and arms with lesions distributed on sun-exposed areas of the skin |
pallor | unnatural paleness or absence of color in the skin |
pediculosis | infestation with lice, transmitted by personal contact or common use of brushes, combs, or headgear |
petechia | minute, pinpoint hemorrhage under the skin |
pruritus | intense itching |
psoriasis | chronic skin disease characterized by circumscribed red patches covered by thick, dry, silvery, adherent scales that are the result of excessive development of the basal layer of the epidermis |
purpura | any of several bleeding disorders characterized by hemorrhage into the tissues, particularly beneath the skin or mucous membranes, producing ecchymoses or petechiae |
scabies | contagious skin disease transmitted by the itch mite, commonly through sexual contact |
tinea | any fungal skin disease whose name commonly indicates the body part affected; also called ringworm |
urticaria | allergic reaction of the skin characterized by the eruption of pale red elevated patches called wheals (hives) |
vitiligo | localized loss of skin pigmentation characterized by milk-white patches |
verruca | epidermal growth caused by a virus, such as plantar warts, juvenile warts, and venereal warts |
adipose | fatty; pertaining to fat |
androgen | generic term for an agent, usually a hormone (testosterone) that stimulates activity of the accessory male sex organs or stimulates the development of male cjaracteristics |
dorsal | indicating a position; pertaining to the back or psterior (of a structure) |
ductule | a very small duct |
homeostasis | relative constancy or equilibrium in the internal environment of the body, which is maintained by the ever-changing processes of feedback and regulation in response to external or internal changes |
hypodermis | subcutaneous tissue layer below the dermis |
integument | a covering (the skin) consisting of the epidermis and dermis, or corium |
systemic | pertaining to the entire body rather than to one of its individual parts |
skin test (ST) | any test in which a suspected allergen or sensitizer is applied to or injected in to the skin to determine the patient's reaction to it |
intrdermal test | identifies suspected allergens by sudcutaneously injecting small amounts of extracts of the suspected allergens and observing the skin for a subsequent reaction; used to determine immunity to diphtheria (Schick test) or tuberculosis (Mantoux test) |
patch test | identifies suspected allergens by topical application of substance to be tested (e.g., food, pollen, animal fur), usually on the forearm and observing for subsequent reaction |
scratch test | identifies suspected allergens by placing a small quanity of suspected allergen on a lightly scratched area of the skin |
biopsy | representative tissue sample removed from a body site for microscopic examination, usually to establish a diagnosis |
needle biopsy | removal of small tissue sample for examination using a hollow needle, usually attached to a syringe |
punch biopsy | removal of a small core of tissue using a hollow punch |
shave biopsy | removal of tissue using a surical blade to shave elevated lesions |
frozen section (FS) | ultra-thin slice of tissue cut from a frozen specimen for immediate pathological examination |
debridement | removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue, especially in a wound; used to promote healing and prevent infection |
dermabrasion | removal of acne scars, nevi, tattoos, or fine wrinkles on the skin through the use of sandpaper, wire brushes, or other abrasive materials on the anesthetized epidermis |
fulguration | tissue destruction by means of high frequency electric sparks; also called electrodesiccation |
chemical peel | chemical removal of the outer layers of the skin to treat acne scarring and general keratoses; also used for cosmetic purposes to remove fine wrinkles on the face; also called chemabrasion |
cryosurgery | use of subfreezing temperature (commonly with liquid nitrogen) to destroy or eliminate abnormal tissue cells, such as tumors, warts, and unwanted, cancerous, or infected tissue |
incision and drainage (I&D) | incision in a lesion such as an abcess and drainage of its contents |