Term | Definition |
abrasion | a scraping or rubbing away of skin or mucous membrane; friction |
abscess | a localized collection of pus in any part of the body |
albino | deficiency of pigment in eyes, hair and skin |
alopecia | partial or complete hair loss |
amputation | surgical removal of a body part |
basal layer | deepest layer of the epidermis |
blackhead | an open comedo |
blister | a small thin-walled skin lesion containing clear fluid; a vesicle |
boil | a localized pus-producing infection deep in a hair follicle; a furuncle |
bruise | a bluish-black discoloration of an area of the skin resulting from an injury |
bulla | large blister |
carbuncle | a circumscribed inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues that contains pus |
cellulitis | a diffuse acute infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue; localized heat, deep redness, pain and swelling |
cerumen | ear wax |
ceruminus gland | modified sweat gland that lubricates the skin of the ear canal with cerumen |
cicatrix | a scar |
circumscribed | confined to a limited space or well-defined area |
collagen | the protein substance that forms the glistening inelastic fibers of connective tissue |
comedo | lesion of acne vulgaris (closed comedo=whitehead; open=blackhead |
contusion | an injury to a part of the body without a break in the skin |
corium | the dermis; layer of skin under the epidermis |
cryosurgery | a noninvasive treatment that uses liquid nitrogen to freeze and destroy the tissue |
curettage | process of scraping material away for the purpose of removing abnormal tissue or unwanted material |
cutaneous membrane | the skin |
cuticle | a fold of skin that covers the root of the fingernail or toenail |
cyanosis | a condition of a bluish discoloration of the skin |
cyst | a closed sac or pouch in or within the skin that contains fluid, semifluid or solid material |
debridement | removal of debris, foreign objects and damaged or necrotic tissue from a wound |
dermatitis | inflammation of the skin |
dermatologist | physician who specializes in the treatment of diseases and disorders of the skin |
dermatology | the study of the skin |
dermis | layer of skin immediately beneath the epidermis; the corium |
diaphoresis | the secretion of sweat |
ecchymosis | a bruise |
electrodesiccation | a technique that uses an electrical spark to burn and destroy tissue; used for removal of surface lesions |
epidermis | outermost layer of skin |
epidermoid cyst | a cyst filled with a sebum; sebaceous cyst |
epithelium | the tissue that covers the internal and external surfaces of the body |
erythema | redness of the skin due to capillary dilation; nervous blushing |
erythremia | an abnormal increase in the number of red blood cells; polycythemia vera |
excoriation | an injury to the surface of the skin caused by trauma, such as scratching or abrasions |
exfoliation | peeling or sloughing off of tissue cells |
fissure | a cracklike sore or groove in the skin or mucous membrane |
fistula | an abnormal passageway between 2 tubular organs or from an organ to the body surface |
furuncle | a localized pus-producing infection originating deep in a hair follicle; a boil |
gangrene | death of tissue due to loss of adequate blood supply, invasion of bacteria and subsequent decay of enzymes |
hair follicle | the tiny tube within the dermis that contains the root of the hair shaft |
hair root | the portion of a strand of hair that is embedded in the hair follicle |
hemangioma | a benign tumor that consists of a mass of blood vessels and has a reddish-purple color |
heparin | a natural anticoagulant substance produced by the body tissues |
hirsutism | excessive body hair in an adult male distribution pattern, occurring in women |
histiocyte | macrophage; a large phagocytic cell occurring in the walls of blood vessels and loose connective tissue |
hives | circumscribed, slightly elevated lesions of the skin that are paler in the center than its surrounding edges |
hydrocele | a collection of fluid located in the area of the scrotal sac in the male |
ichthyosis | an inherited dermatological condition in which the skin is dry; hyperkeratotic and fissured--resembling fish scales |
integument | the skin |
integumentary system | the body system consisting of the skin, hair, nails, sweat glands and sebaceous glands |
keratin | a hard fibrous protein found in the epidermis, hair, nails, enamel of the teeth and horns of animals |
keratolytic | an agent used to break down or loosen the horny (hardened) layer of the skin |
laceration | tear in the skin |
lanugo | soft, very fine hair that covers the body of the developing fetus |
lesion | any visible damage to the tissues of the skin, such as a wound, sore, rash or boil. |
lipedema | an abnormal condition in which there is swelling/enlargement of the lower extremities |
lipocyte | a fat cell |
lunula | the crescent-shaped pale area at the base of the fingernail or toenail |
macrophage | a large phagocytic cell occurring in the walls of blood vessels and loose connective tissue |
macule | a small, flat discoloration of the skin that is neither raised nor depressed |
mast cell | a cell that contains heparin and histamine |
melanin | a black or dark pigment that contributes color to the skin and helps filter ultraviolet light |
melanocytes | cells responsible for producing melanin |
melanoma | darkly pigmented tumor |
nail body | the visible part of the nail |
necrotizing fasciitis | a rare, but serious infection caused by bacteria that can destroy skin, fat and the tissue covering the muscles within a very short time |
nodule | a small, circumscribed swelling protruding above the skin |
oil gland | one of the many small glands located in the dermis; its secretions provide oil to the hair and surrounding skin |
onychomycosis | any fungal infection of the nails |
onychophagia | the habit of biting the nails |
pachyderma | abnormal thickening of the skin |
papule | a small, solid, circumscribed elevation on the skin |
paronychia | inflammation of the fold of skin surrounding the fingernail; also called runaround |
pediculosis | infestation with lice |
perspiration | the clear, watery fluid produced by the sweat glands; sweat |
petechia | small, pinpoint hemorrhages of the skin |
pimple | a papule or pustule of the skin |
polyp | a small, stalk-like growth that protrudes upward or outward from a mucous membrane surface, resembling a mushroom stalk |
pores | openings of the skin through which substances such as water, salts and some fatty substances are excreted |
pressure ulcer | an inflammation, sore or ulcer in the skin over a bony prominence of the body |
pruritus | itching |
purpura | small, pinpoint hemorrhages |
pustule | a small elevation of the skin filled with pus; a small abscess |
scales | thin flakes of hardened epithelium shed from the epidermis |
sebaceous cyst | a cyst filled with sebum and epithelial debris that has formed in the duct of the sebaceous gland |
seborrhea | excessive secretion of sebum, resulting in excessive oiliness or dry scales |
sebum | the oily secretions of the sebaceous glands |
skin tags | a small brownish or flesh-colored outgrowth of skin occurring frequently on the neck; also known as cutaneous papilloma |
squamous epithelial cells | flat scale-like cells arrange in layers (strata) |
stratified | layered; arranged in layers |
stratum | a uniformly thick sheet or layer of cells |
stratum basale | the layer of skin where new cells are continually being reproduced, pushing out older cells |
stratum corneum | the outermost layer of the epidermis which continually sloughs off or flakes away; kerantinized cell layer |
stretch marks | linear tears in the dermis that result from overstretching from rapid growth; also known as striae |
subcutaneous tissue | the fatty layer of tissue located beneath the dermis |
subungual hematoma | a collection of blood beneath a nail bed, usually the result of an injury |
sudoriferous gland | a sweat gland |
sweat | the clear, watery fluid produced by the sweat gland; perspiration |
sweat gland | one of the tiny structures with the dermis that produces sweat; also known as sudoriferous gland |
telangiectasia | the permanent dilation of groups of superficial capillaries and venules; rosacea |
ulcer | a circumscribed, open sore or lesion of the skin that is accompanied by inflammation |
urticaria | a skin reaction with appearance of smooth, slightly elevated patches that are redder or paler than the surrounding skin; severe itchiness |
vesicle | a small thin-walled skin lesion containing clear fluid; a blister |
vitiligo | a skin disorder characterized by nonpigmented white patches of skin of varying sizes that are surrounded by skin with normal pigmentation |
wheal | a circumscribed, slightly elevated lesion; paler in the center than its surrounding edges; hives |
whitehead | a closed comedo |
xanthoderma | any yellow coloration of the skin |
xeroderma | a chronic skin condition characterized by roughness and dryness |
Carcinoma | Basal cell Ca, Squamous cell Ca, Malignant melanoma |
Basal cell Carcinoma | malignant epithelial cell tumor, most common of epithelial tissue, occurs most often on the areas exposed to the sun; not treated will invade surrounding tissue; surgical excision, curettage, cryosurgery and electrodesiccation |
Squamous cell Carcinoma | faster growing than basal cell, greater potential for metastasis if not treated; surgical excision |
Malignant Melanoma | originating from melanocytes in preexisting nevi, freckles or skin with pigment; risk factors: family history, fair complexion; extremely invasive; surgical removal, chemo and radiation therapy |
Exanthematous Viral Disease | Rubella (German measles)
Roseola infantum
Rubeola (measles)
Erythema infectiosum (fifth disease)
Childhood communicable infection |
Herpes Zoster (Shingles) | painful vesicular eruptions on the skin following along the nerve pathways of underlying spinal and cranial nerves; 10-20% population is affected; reactivation of chickenpox |
Kaposi's Sarcoma | vascular malignant lesion that begin as a soft purple-brown nodules or plaques on the face and oral cavity but can occur anywhere on the body; occur most often in men, there is an increased incidence in men with AIDS |
Pressure Ulcer (decubitus ulcer) | ulcer in skin over a bony prominence, Stage 1-4 |
Keloid | scar |
Leukoplakia | thickened white patches formed on gums, inside of cheeks, bottom of mouth and tongue; can't be scraped off |
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) | a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disorder that can affect nearly every major organ system, causing inflammation, tissue injury, organ damage and organ dysfunction; butterfly rash |
Psoriasis | skin cells multiply up to 10 times faster than normal; raised, red plaques covered with white scales; typically on knees, elbows, scalp, torso, palms and soles of feet |
Excisional Debridement | use of scalpel to remove devitalized tissue (root operation - excision) |
Nonexcisional Debridement | nonoperative brushing, irrigating, scrubbing, or washing of devitalized tissue, necrosis, slough or foreign material (root operation - extraction) |
Excisional Biopsy | removal of the complete tumor or lesion |
Incisional Biopsy | removal a portion of the tumor or lesion |
Punch Biopsy | removal small specimen of tissue in the "cookie cutter" fashion |
Shave Biopsy | use scalpel or razor blade to shave lesion elevated above the skin |
Fulguration | a procedure to destroy and remove tissue using a high-frequency electric current applied with a needlelike electrode; using for the removal of surface lesion, called electrodesiccation |
Skin Graft | patch of skin that is removed by surgery from one area of the body and transplanted or attached to another area; full thickness (both epidermis and dermis) or split-thickness (epidermis with a segment of dermis) |
Autograft | different site on the same individual's body |
Homo or Allograft | same species (dog to dog) |
Hetero or Xenograft | animal |
Type of fracture occurs when a bone is weakened by pre-existing disease: | Pathologic |