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Skin/Integumentary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| cutane/o | Skin |
| derm/o, dermat/o | Skin. |
| hidr/o | Sweat. |
| hirsut/o | Hairy or rough. |
| kerat/o | Horny or hard. |
| lip/o | Fat, lipid. |
| melan/o | Dark or black. |
| myc/o | fungus |
| onych/o | fingernail or toenail |
| pil/i, pil/o | hair |
| py/o | pus |
| rhytid/o | wrinkle |
| seb/o | sebum |
| urtic/o | rash, hives |
| xer/o | dry |
| actinic keratosis | A precancerous skin lesion that occurs on sun-damaged skin. |
| albinism | A genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises due to a missing enzyme necessary for the production of melanin. |
| alopecia | The partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp; also known as baldness. |
| blepharoplasty | Surgical reduction of the upper and lower eyelids by removing sagging skin; also known as a lid lift. |
| bulla | A large blister that is usually more than 0.5 cm in diameter; plural, bullae. |
| capillary hemangioma | A soft, raised, pink or red vascular birthmark. |
| carbuncle | A cluster of connected furuncles (boils). |
| cellulitis | An acute, rapidly spreading infection within the connective tissues. |
| chloasma | A pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face; also known as melasma or the mask of pregnancy. |
| cicatrix | A normal scar resulting from the healing of a wound; plural, cicatrices. |
| comedo | A noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle; also known as a blackhead; plural, comedones. |
| debridement | The removal of dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from a wound to prevent infection and promote healing. |
| dermatitis | Inflammation of the skin. |
| diaphoresis | Profuse, but not necessarily excessive, sweating. |
| dysplastic nevi | Atypical moles that may develop into skin cancer. |
| ecchymosis | A large, irregular area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin; plural, ecchymoses. |
| eczema (Ecz, Ez) | A form of persistent or recurring dermatitis characterized by redness, itching, and dryness with possible blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding. |
| erythema | Redness of the skin due to capillary dilation. |
| erythroderma | Abnormal redness of the entire skin surface. |
| exanthem | Refers to a widespread rash, usually in children. |
| exfoliative dermatitis | A condition in which there is widespread scaling of the skin, often with pruritus, erythroderma, and hair loss. |
| folliculitis | Inflammation of the hair follicles that is especially common on the limbs and in the beard area on men. |
| furuncles | Large, tender, swollen areas caused by a staphylococcal infection around hair follicles or sebaceous glands; also known as boils. |
| granuloma | A small knotlike swelling of granulation tissue in the epidermis. |
| hematoma | A swelling of clotted blood trapped in the tissues. |
| hirsutism | Excessive bodily and facial hair in women, usually occurring in a male pattern. |
| ichthyosis | A group of hereditary disorders characterized by dry, thickened, scaly skin. |
| impetigo | A highly contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by isolated pustules that become crusted and rupture. |
| keloid | An abnormally raised or thickened scar that expands beyond the boundaries of the original incision. |
| keratosis | Any skin growth, such as a wart or callus, in which there is overgrowth and thickening of the skin; plural, keratoses. |
| koilonychia | A malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon; also known as spoon nail. |
| lipedema | A chronic abnormal condition, usually in women, that is characterized by the accumulation of fat and fluid in the tissues just under the skin of the hips and legs. |
| lipoma | A benign, slow-growing fatty tumor located between the skin and the muscle layer. |
| macule | A discolored, flat spot, such as a freckle, that is less than 1 cm in diameter. |
| malignant melanoma (MM) | A type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes. |
| necrotizing fasciitis (NF) | A severe infection caused by Group A strepbacteria that enters the body through a wound. If untreated, the infected body tissue can be destroyed and the illness may be fatal; also known as flesh-eating bacteria. |
| onychocryptosis | Ingrown toenail in which the edges of a toenail curve inward and cut into the skin. |
| onychomycosis | A fungal infection of the nail. |
| papilloma | A benign, superficial, wartlike growth on the epithelial tissue or elsewhere in the body, such as in the bladder. |
| papule | A small, raised, red lesion, such as an insect bite, that is less than 0.5 cm in diameter. |
| paronychia | An acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail. |
| pediculosis | An infestation with lice. |
| petechiae | Small pinpoint hemorrhages less than 2 mm in diameter; singular, petechia. |
| pruritus | Itching associated with most forms of dermatitis. |
| psoriasis (Ps) | A common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks. |
| purpura | The appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin. |
| purulent | Producing or containing pus. |
| rhytidectomy | The surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the face for the elimination of wrinkles; also known as a facelift. |
| rosacea | A chronic condition of unknown cause, characterized by tiny red pimples and broken blood vessels. |
| scabies | A skin infection caused by an infestation of itch mites that cause small, itchy bumps and blisters by burrowing into the top layer of human skin to lay their eggs. |
| scleroderma (SCD) | An autoimmune disorder in which the connective tissues become thickened and hardened. |
| seborrhea | Overactivity of the sebaceous glands that results in the production of an excessive amount of sebum. |
| squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) | A malignant tumor of the scaly squamous cells of the epithelium; however, it can quickly spread to other body systems. |
| systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) | An autoimmune disorder characterized by a red, scaly rash on the face and upper trunk. This condition also attacks the connective tissue in other body systems, especially in the joints. |
| tinea | A fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails; also known as ringworm. |
| urticaria | Itchy wheals caused by an allergic reaction; also known as hives. |
| verrucae | Small, hard skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus; also known as warts; singular, verruca. |
| vitiligo | A skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes and causing irregular patches of white skin. |
| wheal | A small bump that itches and can appear as a symptom of an allergic reaction; a welt. |
| xeroderma | Excessively dry skin; also known as xerosis. |
| integumentary system | made up of the skin and its related structures, performs important functions in maintaining the health of the body. The term integument comes from the Latin word meaning to cover or enclose. |
| skin | forms the protective outer layer covering the external surfaces of the entire body. |
| sebaceous glands | secrete sebum (oil) that lubricates the skin and discourages the growth of bacteria on the skin |
| sweat glands | help regulate body temperature and water content by secreting sweat. A small amount of metabolic waste is also excreted through the sweat glands. |
| Hair | helps control the loss of body heat. |
| Nails | protect the dorsal surface of the last bone of each toe and finger. |
| cutaneous | pertaining to the skin |
| epidermis | which is the outermost layer of the skin, is made up of several specialized epithelial tissues |
| Epithelial tissues | form a protective covering for all of the internal and external surfaces of the body. |
| Squamous epithelial tissue | forms the upper layer of the epidermis. Squamous means scale-like. This layer consists of flat, scaly cells that are continuously shed. |
| basal layer | the lowest layer of the epidermis. It is here that new cells are produced and then pushed upward. When these cells reach the surface, they die and become filled with keratin. |
| Keratin | a fibrous, water-repellent protein. Soft keratin is a primary component of the epidermis. Hard keratin is found in the hair and nails. |
| Melanocytes | are special cells that are also found in the basal cell layer. These cells produce and contain a dark brown to black pigment known as melanin. |
| Melanin | the pigment that determines the color of the skin, which depends upon the type and amount of this pigment that is present |
| dermis | also known as the corium, is the thick layer of living tissue directly below the epidermis. It contains connective tissue, blood and lymph vessels, and nerve fibers. Also found in the dermis are the hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands |
| Sensory nerve endings | dermis are the sensory receptors for stimuli such as touch, temperature, pain, and pressure. |
| Collagen | which means glue, is a tough yet flexible fibrous protein material found in the skin and also in the bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments. |
| Mast cells | found in the connective tissue of the dermis, respond to injury, infection, or allergy by producing and releasing substances, including heparin and histamine. |
| Heparin | which is released in response to an injury, is an anticoagulant. An anticoagulant prevents blood clotting. |
| Histamine | which is released in response to allergens, causes the signs of an allergic response, including itching and increased mucus secretion. |
| subcutaneous layer | located just below the layers of the skin and connects the skin to the surface muscles. |
| adipose tissue | Adipose means fat |
| Lipocytes | also known as fat cells, are predominant in the subcutaneous layer where they manufacture and store large quantities of fa |
| Sebaceous glands | are located in the dermis layer of the skin and are closely associated with hair follicles |
| sebum | an oily substance that is released through ducts opening into the hair follicles. From here, the sebum moves onto the surface and lubricates the skin. |
| Sweat glands | also known as sudoriferous glands, are tiny, coiled glands found on almost all body surfaces. |
| Pores | are the openings on the surface of the skin that act as the ducts of the sweat glands. |
| Perspiration | commonly known as sweat, is secreted by sweat glands and is made up of 99% water plus some salt and metabolic waste products. |
| Hidrosis | the production and excretion of perspiration. |
| mammary glands | which are modified sweat glands, are sometimes classified with the integumentary system. However, they also are part of the reproductive system |
| Hair (fibers) | are rod-like structures composed of tightly fused, dead protein cells filled with hard keratin. The darkness and color of the hair is determined by the amount and type of melanin produced by the melanocytes that surround the core of the hair shaft. |
| Hair follicles | are the sacs that hold the root of the hair fibers. The shape of the follicle determines whether the hair is straight or curly. |
| arrector pili | tiny muscle fibers attached to the hair follicles that cause the hair to stand erect. In response to cold or fright, these muscles contract, causing raised areas of skin known as goose bumps. This action reduces heat loss through the skin. |
| unguis | commonly known as a fingernail or toenail, is the keratin plate that protects the dorsal surface of the last bone of each finger and toe |
| lunula | a pale half-moon-shaped region at every nail root, which is generally most easily seen in the thumbnail |
| cuticle | a narrow band of epidermis attached to the surface of the nail just in front of the root, protecting the new keratin cells as they form. |
| nail root | fastens the nail to the finger or toe by fitting into a groove in the skin |
| dermatologist | a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin |
| plastic surgeon | a physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures. |
| Acne vulgaris | commonly known as acne, is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum around the hair shaft. Although often triggered by hormones in puberty and adolescence, it also occurs in adults |
| comedo | a noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle often associated with acne vulgaris. A comedo with an obstructed opening is called a whitehead. A sebum plug that is exposed to air often oxidizes and becomes a blackhead |
| epidermoid cyst | often referred to as a sebaceous cyst is a closed sac that is found just under the skin. These cysts contain yellow, fatty material and are usually found on the face, neck, or trunk. |
| Seborrhea | overactivity of the sebaceous glands that results in the production of an excessive amount of sebum |
| Seborrheic dermatitis | an inflammation sometimes resulting from seborrhea that causes scaling and itching of the upper layers of the skin or scalp. |
| seborrheic keratosis | a benign skin growth that has a waxy or “pasted-on” look. These growths, which can vary in color from light tan to black, occur most commonly in the elderly. |
| Anhidrosis | the abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat |
| Diaphoresis | profuse sweating |
| Hear Rash | Also known as prickly heat, is an intensely itchy rash caused by blockage of the sweat glands by bacteria and dead cells. |
| Hyperhidrosis | a condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body |
| Sleep hyperhidrosis | commonly known as night sweats, is the occurrence of hyperhidrosis during sleep. There are many potential causes of this condition, including menopause, certain medications, and some infectious diseases. |
| Folliculitis | an inflammation of the hair follicles |
| Trichomycosis axillaris | a superficial bacterial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands, such as the armpits |
| Hirsutism | the presence of excessive body and facial hair in women, usually occurring in a male pattern |
| Alopecia | also known as baldness, is the partial or complete loss of hair, most commonly on the scalp |
| Alopecia areata | an autoimmune disorder that attacks the hair follicles, causing well-defined bald areas on the scalp or elsewhere on the body |
| Alopecia totalis (AT) | an uncommon condition characterized by the loss of all the hair on the scalp. |
| Alopecia universalis (AU) | the total loss of hair on all parts of the body. Universalis means total. |
| Androgenic alopecia | the most common type of hair loss. Androgenic means referring to androgens, the hormones involved in the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics |
| Clubbing | the abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by enlargement of the fingertips. This condition can be hereditary but is usually caused by changes associated with oxygen deficiencies |
| Koilonychia | also known as spoon nail, is a malformation of the nails in which the outer surface is concave or scooped out like the bowl of a spoon |
| Onychia | also known as onychitis, is an inflammation of the bed of the nail that often results in the loss of the nail |
| Onychocryptosis | commonly known as an ingrown toenail. The edges of a toenail, usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin. The affected area is prone to inflammation or infection. |
| Onychomycosis | a fungal infection of the nail. Depending on the type of fungus involved, this condition can cause the nails to turn white, yellow, green, or black and to become thick or brittle. |
| Paronychia | an acute or chronic infection of the skin fold around a nail |
| Acanthosis nigricans | a condition where one or more areas of the skin develop dark, wart-like patches. This can be a sign of a disease such as cancer or type 2 diabetes or a reaction to a medication. |
| Age spots | also known as solar lentigines or liver spots, are discolorations caused by sun exposure. Although harmless, these spots sometimes resemble skin cancer growths. |
| Albinism | a genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or the absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eyes. This condition is the result of a missing enzyme that is necessary for the production of melanin. |
| Chloasma | also known as melasma or the mask of pregnancy, is a pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face. This can occur during pregnancy, especially among women with dark hair and fair skin, and usually disappears after delivery. |
| Vitiligo | a skin condition resulting from the destruction of the melanocytes due to unknown causes. Vitiligo causes irregular patches of white skin, a process known as depigmentation. Hair growing in an affected area may also turn white. |
| contusion | an injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin and is characterized by discoloration and pain |
| ecchymosis | commonly known as a bruise, is a large, irregular area of purplish discoloration due to bleeding under the skin |
| Purpura | the appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin |
| Petechiae | are very small, pinpoint hemorrhages that are less than 2 mm in diameter (singular, petechia). These hemorrhages sometimes result from high fevers. |
| hematoma | which is usually caused by an injury, is a swelling of clotted blood trapped in the tissues. The body eventually reabsorbs this blood. A hematoma is often named for the area where it occurs. |
| lesion | a pathologic change of the tissues due to disease or injury. Skin lesions are described by their appearance, location, color, and size as measured in centimeters (cm). |
| crust | also known as scab, is a collection of dried serum and cellular debris |
| macule | also known as a macula, is a discolored flat spot that is less than 1 cm in diameter. Freckles, or flat moles, are examples of macules |
| Erosion | the wearing away of a surface, such as the epidermis of the skin or the outer layer of a mucous membrane. This term can also describe the progressive loss of dental enamel. |
| nodule | a solid, raised skin lesion that is larger than 0.5 cm in diameter and deeper than a papule. In acne vulgaris, nodules can cause scarring. |
| papule | a small, raised red lesion that is less than 0.5 cm in diameter and does not contain pus. Small pimples and insect bites are types of papules |
| plaque | a scaly, solid raised area of closely spaced papules. For example, the lesions of psoriasis are plaques |
| Scales | flakes or dry patches made up of excess dead epidermal cells. Some shedding of these scales is normal; however, excessive shedding is associated with skin disorders such as psoriasis. |
| Verrucae | also known as warts, are small, hard skin lesions caused by the human papillomavirus (singular, verruca). Plantar warts are verrucae that develop on the sole of the foot |
| wheal | also known as a welt, is a small bump that itches. Wheals can appear as urticaria, or hives, as a symptom of an allergic reaction |
| abscess | a closed pocket containing pus that is caused by a bacterial infection. An abscess can appear on the skin or within other structures of the body. |
| Purulent | means producing or containing pus. |
| exudate | a fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound. |
| cyst | an abnormal sac containing gas, fluid, or a semisolid material (Figure 12.7A). The term cyst can also refer to a sac or vesicle elsewhere in the body. The most common type of skin cyst is a sebaceous cyst. |
| pustule | also known as a pimple, is a small, circumscribed lesion containing pus (Figure 12.7B). Circumscribed means contained within a limited area. Pustules can be caused by acne vulgaris, impetigo, or other skin infections. |
| vesicle | a small blister, less than 0.5 cm in diameter, containing watery fluid |
| bulla | a large blister that is usually more than 0.5 cm in diameter |
| abrasion | an injury in which superficial layers of skin are scraped or rubbed away. |
| fissure | a groove or crack-like break in the skin. Fissures are, for example, the breaks in the skin between the toes caused by tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot |
| laceration | a torn or jagged wound or an accidental cut wound. |
| pressure sore | previously known as a decubitus ulcer or bedsore, is an open ulcerated wound that is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of skin. Without proper care, these sores quickly become seriously infected and can result in tissue death. |
| needlestick injury | an accidental puncture wound caused by a used hypodermic needle, potentially transmitting an infection. A puncture wound is an injury caused by a pointed object piercing the skin. |
| ulcer | an open lesion of the skin or mucous membrane resulting in tissue loss around the edges |
| Pigmented birthmarks include nevi | also known as moles, as well as café-au-lait spots and other irregularities in skin color. |
| Vascular birthmarks | are caused by blood vessels close to the skin’s surface. These are the most common type of birthmark and are sometimes called salmon patches or red birthmarks. |
| capillary hemangioma | also known as a strawberry birthmark, is a soft, raised, pink or red vascular birthmark |
| port-wine stain | flat vascular birthmark made up of dilated blood capillaries, creating a large, reddish-purple discoloration on the face or neck. This type of birthmark will not resolve without treatment. |
| dermatitis | describes an inflammation of the skin ( dermat means skin, and -itis means inflammation). This condition, which takes many forms, is usually characterized by redness, swelling, and itching. |
| Contact dermatitis (CD) | a localized allergic response caused by contact with an irritant, such as diaper rash. It can also be caused by exposure to an allergen, such as poison ivy, or an allergic reaction to latex gloves |
| Eczema | also known as atopic dermatitis, is a form of persistent or recurring dermatitis usually characterized by redness, itching, and dryness, with possible blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding |
| Exfoliative dermatitis | a condition in which there is widespread scaling of the skin. It is often accompanied by pruritus, erythroderma (redness), and hair loss. It may occur in severe cases of many common skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and allergic reactions. |
| Pruritus | also known as itching, is associated with most forms of dermatitis |
| Erythema | redness of the skin due to capillary dilation |
| Hand, foot, and mouth disease | is a mild viral infection common in children under 5 years of age. It is characterized by sores in the mouth and throat and a rash on the hands and feet. |
| Dermatosis | general term used to denote skin lesions or eruptions of any type that are not associated with inflammation |
| Rhinophyma | also known as bulbous nose, usually occurs in older men. This condition is characterized by hyperplasia (overgrowth) of the tissues of the nose and is associated with advanced rosacea. |
| Gangrene | death of tissue, is most commonly caused by a loss of circulation to the affected tissues. The tissue death is followed by bacterial invasion that causes putrefaction, and if this infection enters the bloodstream, it can be fatal. |
| Pyoderma | any acute, inflammatory, pus-forming bacterial skin infection such as impetigo |
| Mycosis | describes any abnormal condition or disease caused by a fungus |
| Tinea | a fungal infection that can grow on the skin, hair, or nails. This condition is also known as ringworm, not because a worm is involved, but because as the fungus grows on the skin, it spreads out in a worm-like circle, |
| infestation | the dwelling of microscopic parasites on external surface tissue. Some parasites live temporarily on the skin. Others lay eggs and reproduce there. |
| Pediculosis | an infestation with lice |
| Scabies | a skin infection caused by an infestation of itch mites. These tiny mites cause small, itchy bumps and blisters by burrowing into the top layer of human skin to lay their eggs. |
| callus | a thickening of part of the skin on the hands or feet caused by repeated rubbing |
| cicatrix | a normal scar resulting from the healing of a wound |
| Granulation tissue | the tissue that normally forms during the healing of a wound. This tissue eventually forms the scar. |
| Granuloma | a general term used to describe a small, knot-like swelling of granulation tissue in the epidermis |
| keloid | an abnormally raised or thickened scar that expands beyond the boundaries of the original incision |
| keratosis | any skin growth, such as a wart or a callus, in which there is overgrowth and thickening of the skin |
| lipoma | a benign, slow-growing fatty tumor located between the skin and the muscle layer |
| Nevus | also known as a mole, is a small, dark skin growth that develops from melanocytes in the skin |
| dysplastic nevi | atypical moles that can develop into skin cancer. |
| papilloma | a benign, superficial, wart-like growth on the epithelial tissue or elsewhere in the body, such as in the bladder |
| Polyp | a general term used most commonly to describe a mushroom-like growth from the surface of a mucous membrane, such as a polyp in the nose. These growths have many causes and are not necessarily malignant. |
| Skin tags | small, flesh-colored or light-brown polyps that hang from the body by fine stalks. Skin tags are benign and tend to enlarge with age. |
| Skin cancer | a malignant growth on the skin which can have many causes, including repeated severe sunburns or long-term exposure to the sun. |
| actinic keratosis | also called a solar keratosis, is a precancerous skin growth that occurs on sun-damaged skin. It often looks like a red, tan, or pink scaly patch and feels like sandpaper |
| basal cell carcinoma (BCC) | a malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis. This is the most common and least harmful type of skin cancer because it is slow growing and rarely spreads to other parts of the body. |
| Squamous cell carcinoma | originates as a malignant tumor of the scaly squamous cells of the epithelium; however, it can quickly spread to other body systems. These cancers begin as skin lesions that appear to be sores that will not heal or that have a crusted look |
| Malignant melanoma | also known as melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that occurs in the melanocytes ( melan means black, and -oma means tumor). This is the most serious type of skin cancer, and often the first signs are changes in the size, shape, or color of a mole. |
| burn | an injury to body tissues caused by heat, flame, electricity, sun, chemicals, or radiation. The severity of a burn is described according to the percentage of the total body skin surface affected (more than 15% is considered serious). |
| First-degree burn | superficial burn, no blisters; superficial damage to the epidermis. |
| Second-degree burn | partial thickness burn, blisters, damage to the epidermis, and dermis. |
| Third-degree burn | full thickness burn, damage to the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers, and possibly also the muscle and bone below. |
| biopsy | the removal of a small piece of living tissue for examination to confirm or establish a diagnosis |
| Exfoliative cytology | also referred to as skin scraping, is a technique in which cells are scraped from the tissue and examined under a microscope. Exfoliation is the removal of dead epidermal cells, often through sanding or chemabrasion |
| Sunscreen | blocks out the harmful ultraviolet B (UVB) rays is sometimes measured in terms of the strength of the sun protection factor (SPF). Some sunscreens also give protection against ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. |
| Cauterization (caut) | the destruction of tissue by burning. |
| Chemabrasion | also known as a chemical peel, is the use of chemicals to remove the outer layers of skin to treat acne scarring, fine wrinkling, and keratoses. |
| Cryosurgery | also called freezing, is the destruction or elimination of abnormal tissue cells, such as warts or tumors, through the application of extreme cold by using liquid nitrogen |
| Curettage | the removal of material from the surface by scraping. One use of this technique is to remove basal cell tumors. |
| Debridement | the removal of dirt, foreign objects, damaged tissue, and cellular debris from a wound to prevent infection and to promote healing. |
| irrigation and debridement (I & D) | procedure, pressurized fluid is used to clean out wound debris. |
| Dermabrasion | a form of abrasion involving the use of a revolving wire brush or sandpaper. It is used to remove acne and chickenpox scars as well as for facial skin rejuvenation. Microdermabrasion removes only a fine layer of skin, so the results are temporary. |
| Electrodesiccation | a surgical technique in which tissue is destroyed using an electric spark. It is primarily used to eliminate small superficial growths and to seal off blood vessels. |
| incision (I & D) | a cut made with a surgical instrument. Incision and drainage (I & D) in an incision (cutting open) of a lesion, such as an abscess, and the draining of the contents. |
| Mohs surgery | a technique used to treat various types of skin cancer. Individual layers of cancerous tissue are removed and examined under a microscope one at a time until a margin that is clear of all cancerous tissue has been achieved. |
| laser | an acronym in which the letters stand for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers are used to treat skin conditions and other disorders of the body. |
| Photodynamic therapy (PDT) | a technique used to treat damaged and precancerous skin, as well as various types of cancer. |
| Retinoids | a class of chemical compounds derived from vitamin A that are used in skin care and treatment because of their effect on epithelial cell growth. The use of retinoids can, however, make the skin burn more easily. |
| Topical steroids | hydrocortisone and other more potent variations are used in the treatment of various skin disorders and diseases. These drugs, which are derivatives of the natural corticosteroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands, |
| Blepharoplasty | also known as a lid lift, is the surgical reduction of the upper and lower eyelids by removing sagging skin |
| Botox | formulation of botulinum toxin. This is the same neurotoxin responsible for the form of food poisoning known as botulism. When small, sterile doses are injected into muscles on the forehead, it can temporarily block the nerve signals |
| Collagen replacement therapy | a form of soft-tissue augmentation used to soften facial lines or scars or to make lips appear fuller. Tiny quantities of collagen are injected under a line or scar to boost the skin’s natural supply of collagen |
| Dermatoplasty | also known as a skin graft, is the replacement of damaged skin with healthy tissue taken from a donor site on the patient’s body |
| Electrolysis | the use of electric current to destroy hair follicles in order to produce the relatively permanent removal of undesired hair |
| Lipectomy | the surgical removal of fat from beneath the skin to improve physical appearance |
| Liposuction | also known as suction-assisted lipectomy, is the surgical removal of fat beneath the skin with the aid of suction. |
| Rhytidectomy | also known as a facelift, is the surgical removal of excess skin and fat from the face to eliminate wrinkles |
| Sclerotherapy | the treatment of spider veins by injecting a saline sclerosing solution into the vein. This solution irritates the tissue, causing the veins to collapse and disappear. Spider veins, are small, nonessential veins that can be seen through the skin |