Dermatology Vocabulary

Question 1

abrasion

Answer 1

Skin injury that scrapes away the surface of skin

Question 2

abscess

Answer 2

Infection by pyogenic bacteria resulting in localized collection of pus

Question 3

alopecia

Answer 3

Baldness

Question 4

basal cell carcinoma

Answer 4

Skin cancer in basal cell layer of the epidermis

Question 5

biopsy

Answer 5

Surgical procedure to remove a piece of tissue by needle, knife, punch, or brush to examine under a microscope in order to make a diagnosis.

Question 6

boil

Answer 6

Bacterial infection of a hair follicle; also called a furuncle

Question 7

burn, 1st degree

Answer 7

Damages epidermis only; results in erythema but no blisters; generally, there is no scarring

Question 8

burn, 2nd degree

Answer 8

Burn damage that extends through the epidermis and into the dermis, causing blisters to form; scarring may occur

Question 9

burn, 3rd degree

Answer 9

Burn to damage to the full thickness of skin and into underlying tissues; infection and fluid loss are major concerns; scarring will occur

Question 10

cauterization

Answer 10

Intentional destruction of tissue by a caustic chemical, electric current, laser, or freezing

Question 11

cellulitis

Answer 11

Inflammation of connective tissue cells of skin

Question 12

chemabrasion

Answer 12

Removal of superficial layers of skin using chemicals; also called a chemical peel

Question 13

contusion

Answer 13

Blunt trauma to skin that results in bruising

Question 14

cryosurgery

Answer 14

Using extreme cold to freeze and destroy tissue

Question 15

cyst

Answer 15

Fluid-filled sac under the skin–clear fluid

Question 16

debridement

Answer 16

Removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound

Question 17

decubitus ulcer (decub)

Answer 17

Open sore caused by pressure over bony prominences obstructing blood flow; bed sores

Question 18

dermabrasion

Answer 18

Scraping skin with rotating wire brushes or sandpaper; used to remove acne and scars

Question 19

ecchymosis

Answer 19

Black and blue skin bruise caused by blood collecting under skin after trauma

Question 20

erythema

Answer 20

Redness of skin

Question 21

fissure

Answer 21

Cracklike break in skin

Question 22

gangrene

Answer 22

Tissue necrosis caused by loss of blood supply

Question 23

herpes simplex

Answer 23

Infection by herpes simples virus causing painful blisters around lips and nose; commonly called fever blisters

Question 24

herpes zoster

Answer 24

Viral infection of a nerve root that causes the appearance of very painful blisters along the path of a nerve; commonly called shingles

Question 25

impetigo

Answer 25

Inflammatory skin disease with pustules that rupture and become crusted

Question 26

laceration

Answer 26

Jagged-edged skin wound caused by tearing of the skin; does not mean a skin cut

Question 27

laser surgery

Answer 27

Removal of skin lesions and birthmarks using laser beam

Question 28

lesion

Answer 28

General term that indicates the presence of some type of tissue abnormality

Question 29

macule

Answer 29

Flat, discolored spot on the skin surface; example is a freckle or birthmark

Question 30

malignant melanoma

Answer 30

Aggressive form of skin cancer that originates in a melanocyte;

Question 31

necrosis

Answer 31

Area of tissue death

Question 32

nevus

Answer 32

Pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole

Question 33

nodule

Answer 33

Solid, raised clump of skin cells

Question 34

onychia

Answer 34

Inflamed nail bed

Question 35

papule

Answer 35

Small, solid, raised lesion on surface of the skin

Question 36

petechiae

Answer 36

Flat, pinpoint, purplish spots from bleeding under the skin

Question 37

pruritus

Answer 37

Severe itching

Question 38

psoriasis

Answer 38

chronic inflammatory condition consisting of crusty papules forming patches with circular borders

Question 39

purpura

Answer 39

Purplish-red bruises usually occurring in people with thin, easily damaged skin

Question 40

pustule

Answer 40

Raised spot on the skin containing pus

Question 41

skin graft

Answer 41

Transfer of the skin from a normal area to cover another site;

Question 42

squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 42

Skin cancer that begins in the epidermis but may grow into deeper tissue but does not generally metastasize to other areas of the body

Question 43

tinea

Answer 43

Fungal skin disease resulting in itching, scaling lesions

Question 44

ulcer

Answer 44

Open sore or lesions in the skin or mucous membrane

Question 45

urticaria

Answer 45

Skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching; usually associated with food allergy, stress, or drug reactions

Question 46

varicella

Answer 46

Viral infection with skin rash; commonly called chickenpox

Question 47

vesicle

Answer 47

Small, fluid-filled raised spot on the skin

Question 48

wheal

Answer 48

Small, round, raised area on the skin that may be accompanied by itching; usually seen in allergic reactions