CH. 4: Complementary Terms

Question 1

erythroderma

Answer 1

red skin (abnormal redness of the skin)

Question 2

hypertrichosis

Answer 2

abnormal condition of excessive hair (growth) (also called hirsutism)

Question 3

leukoderma

Answer 3

white skin (white patches caused by depigmentation)

Question 4

xanthoderma

Answer 4

yellow skin

Question 5

xerosis

Answer 5

abnormal condition of dryness (of skin, eye, or mouth)

Question 6

dermatologist

Answer 6

physician who studies and treats skin (diseases)

Question 7

dermatology (derm)

Answer 7

study of the skin (branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases)

Question 8

cutaneous

Answer 8

pertaining to the skin

Question 9

epidermal

Answer 9

pertaining to upon the skin

Question 10

hypodermic

Answer 10

pertaining to under the skin

Question 11

intradermal (ID)

Answer 11

pertaining to within the skin

Question 12

keratogenic

Answer 12

producing horny tissue

Question 13

percutaneous

Answer 13

pertaining to through the skin

Question 14

subcutaneous (subcut)

Answer 14

pertaining to under the skin

Question 15

subungual

Answer 15

pertaining to under the nail

Question 16

transdermal (TD)

Answer 16

pertaining to through the skin

Question 17

ungual

Answer 17

pertaining to the nail

Question 18

staphylococcus (pl. staphylococci) (staph)

Answer 18

berry-shaped (bacterium) in grapelike clusters (these bacteria cause many skin diseases)

Question 19

streptococcus (pl. streptococci) (strep)

Answer 19

berry-shaped (bacterium) in twisted chains

Question 20

abscess

Answer 20

localized collection of pus, bacteria, and other material; can occur in the skin (cutaneous abscess) or other locations within the body (internal abscess)

Question 21

alopecia

Answer 21

loss of hair; there are multiple types with various causes, including androgenic, areata, and traction

Question 22

cyst

Answer 22

closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material; can occur in the skin (cutaneous cyst) or other locations within the body

Question 23

diaphoresis

Answer 23

sweating

Question 24

ecchymosis (pl. ecchymoses)

Answer 24

large (greater than 1 cm), flat, blue-purple lesion caused by escape of blood into deeper areas of the skin, as may occur when blood is withdrawn by a needle and syringe from an arm vein

Question 25

edema

Answer 25

puffy swelling of tissue from the accumulation of fluid

Question 26

induration

Answer 26

abnormal hard spot(s) or area of skin; may include underlying tissue

Question 27

jaundice

Answer 27

condition characterized by a yellow coloring of the skin, mucous membranes and sclera (whites of the eyes) caused by the presence of bile (also called icterus)

Question 28

lesion

Answer 28

any visible change in tissue resulting from injury or disease. It is broad term that includes sores, wounds, ulcers, and tumors

Question 29

leukoplakia

Answer 29

condition characterized by white spots or patches on mucous membranes, which may be precancerous

Question 30

macule

Answer 30

flat, colored spot on the skin

Question 31

nevus (pl. nevi)

Answer 31

circumscribed malformation of the skin, usu. brown, black, or flesh colored. A congenital nevus is present at birth and is referred to as a birthmark (also called a mole).

Question 32

nodule

Answer 32

small, knotlike mass that can be felt by touch

Question 33

pallor

Answer 33

paleness

Question 34

papule

Answer 34

small, solid skin elevation

Question 35

wheal

Answer 35

transitory, itchy elevation of the skin with a white center and a red surrounding area; an individual urticaria (hive) lesion

Question 36

vesicle

Answer 36

small elevation of epidermis containing liquid (also called blister)

Question 37

petechiae (s. petechia)

Answer 37

tiny (0.3 cm or smaller), pinpoint, bright red lesions that result from escape of blood into the skin and mucous membranes

Question 38

pruritus

Answer 38

itching

Question 39

purpura

Answer 39

small (between 0.3 cm and 1 cm), reddish purple-lesions caused by escape of blood into skin and mucous membranes

Question 40

pustule

Answer 40

elevation of skin containing pus

Question 41

ulcer

Answer 41

erosion of the skin or mucous membrane

Question 42

verruca

Answer 42

circumscribed cutaneous elevation caused by a virus (also called wart)