Term | Definition |
acne | skin disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the sebaceous glands from retained secretions |
adipose tissue | also known as subcutaneous tissue; lies beneath the dermis |
albinism | congenital leukoderma or absence of melanin pigment in the body |
anhidrosis | deficiency or lack of perspiration |
anthrax | inflammatory skin disease characterized by the presence of a small, red papule, followed by the formation of a pustule, vesicle, and hard swelling |
asteatosis | condition of dry, scaly skin due to lack of sebum |
basal cell carcinoma | most common and least severe type of skin cancer |
blackhead | an open comedone; consists of an accumulation of excess oil that has been oxidized to a dark color |
bromhidrosis | foul-smelling perspiration |
bulla | large blister containing a watery fluid |
chloasma | non-elevated spots due to increased pigmentation in the skin |
cicatrix | technical term for scar |
collagen | fibrous protein that gives the skin form and strength |
comedones | a mass of hardened sebum and skin cells in a hair follicle that may be open (blackhead) or open (whitehead) |
corium | another name for the dermis |
crust | dead cells that have accumulated over a wound |
cuticle | another name for the epidermis |
cutis | another name for the dermis |
cyst | a closed, abnormally developed sac containing fluid or morbid matter, above or below the skin |
derma | technical name for skin; also another name for the dermis |
dermatisis | an inflammatory condition of the skin |
dermatitis venenata | an eruptive skin condition due to contact with irritating substances such as tints or chemicals |
dermatology | medical science that deals with the study of skin |
dermis | second/inner layer of the skin; also known as the derma, corium, cutis, or true skin |
eczema | inflammatory skin condition characterized by painful itching; dry or moist lesion forms |
elastin | protein base similar to collagen that forms elastic tissue |
epidermis | outermost layer of the skin; also called the cuticle or scarf skin |
excoriation | skin sore or abrasion caused by scratching or scraping |
fissure | a crack in the skin that penetrates to the dermis |
herpes simplex | fever blister of cold sore; a recurring viral infection |
hyperhidrosis | excessive perspiration or sweating |
hypertrophy | abnormal skin growth |
ivy dermatitis | a skin inflammation caused by exposure to poison ivy, oak or sumac |
keloid | thick scar resulting from excessive tissue growth |
keratoma | technical mane foe a callus caused by friction |
lentigines | technical name for freckles |
lesion | a structural change in the tissues caused by injury |
leuoderma | skin disorder characterized by abnormal white patches |
macule | spot or discoloration of the skin such as a freckle |
malignant melanoma | most severe form of skin cancer |
melanin | coloring matter or pigment of the skin; found in the stratum germinativum of the epidermis and in the papillary layers of the epidermis |
milia | technical name for milk spots; small. benign, whitish bumps that occur when dead skin is trapped in the surface of the skin, commonly seen in infants |
miliaria rubra | technical name for prickly heat |
mole | small brownish spot on the skin |
motor nerve fibers | nerve fiber distributed to the arrector pili muscles, which are attached to the hair follicles |
nevus | technical name for birthmark |
papillary layer | outer layer of the dermis, directly beneath the epidermis |
papule | pimple |
psoriasis | skin disease characterized by red patches and silvery white scales |
pustule | inflamed pimple, containing pus |
recticular layer | deeper layer of the dermis |
rosacea | chronic congestion of the skin characterizerd by redness, blood vessel dilation, papules, and pustules |
scale | an accumulation of dry or greasy flakes on the skin |
scarf skin | another name for the epidermis |
sebaceous glands | oil glands of the skin connected to hair follicles |
seborrhea | skin condition caused by excessive sebum secretion |
sebum | an oily substance secreted by the sebaceous glands |
Secretory nerve fibers | Regulate the excretion of perspiration from the sweat glands and the flow of sebum from the oil glands |
Sensory nerve fibers | react to heat, cold, touch, pressure, and pain, and send messages to the brain |
Squamous cell carcinoma | Type of skin cancer more serious than badal cell carcinoma but not as serious as malignant melanoma |
Stain | abnormal brown or wine colored skin discoloration |
Steatoma | Sebaceous cyst or fatty tumor |
Stratum germinativum | Innermost layer of the epidermis,also known as the basal or malpighian layer |
stratum granulosum | granular layer of the epidermis, directly beneath the stratum lucidum; the grainy layer |
stratum lucidum | clear layer of the epidermis, often considered part of the stratum corneum |
stratum spinosm | spiny layer of the the epidermis, often considered part of the stratum germinativum |
subcutaneous tissue | fatty tissue layer that lies beneath the dermis; also called adipose tissue |
symptoms | signs of disease that can felt or seen. |
tan | darkening of the skin due to exposure to ultraviolet rays |
true skin | another name for the dermis |
tubercule | abnormal solid lump above, within, or below the skin |
tumor | abnormal cell mass resulting from excessive multiplication of cells |
ulcer | open skin lesions accompanied by pus and loss of skin depth; a deep erosion; a depression in the skin, normally due to infection or cancer |
verruca | technical term for wart |
vesicle | small blister or sac containing clear fluid |
vitiligo | an acquired leukoderma characterized by milky-white spots |
wheal | itchy, swollen lesion caused by insect bites or plant irritations, such as nettle |
whitehead | a closed comedone; consists of accumulated sebum that remains a whitish color because it does not have a follicular opening for exposure to oxygen |