glossary of terms Flashcards by Tatiana Honeywell

what is an abscess

an encapsulated collection of pus

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annular

shape of a ring

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apocrine gland

Sweat gland
Most commonly located in areas like groin + axilla
Associated with hair follicles

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Appendage

Structures associated with skin that serve a particular purpose (Eg. glands + hair)

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Adipose

Fatty tissue

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Alopecia

Hair loss (associated with many different causes + severities)

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Atopy

Allergic hypersensitivity - related to inappropriate overproduction of IgE

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Atrophy

Wasting or thinning of skin

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Basement membrane

Thin layer of extracellular tissue separating the epidermis + dermis

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Benign

Non-Malignant - won’t cause harm

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Biopsy

surgical removal of a piece of tissue for histopathological examination

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Blaschko’s lines

Lines of embryonic cell migration/normal cell development that aren’t visible under normal conditions

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Bulla

Large blister >0.5cm in diameter containing serous fluid

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Carbuncle

Cluster of several boils that are connected to each other under the skin

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Collagen

Structural protein found in skin + various connective tissues of body

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Cryotherapy

Process of freezing a lesion with liquid nitrogen spray

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Cyst

pus-filled lesion with a sac separating it from the surrounding tissue

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Dermatome

distinct area of skin supplied by a specific spinal nerve

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Dermis

Layer of skin in between epidermis + subcutaneous tissue. split into papillary and reticular dermis

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Desquamation

Peeling of the skin

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Discoid

Disc shaped

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Distribution

areas of the body that are affected by a disease (Eg. rash)

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Dorsal

Back of hand or top of foot

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Dystrophy

Degeneration of normal tissue

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Ecchymosis

Bruise

Epidermis

Uppermost layer of skin, situated above the basement membrane

Erythema

Reddening of the skin

Excoriation

Damage to skin caused by scratching or picking

Fissure

Crack or split in skin

Flare

Sudden aggravation or deterioration of a condition

Flexures

Skin of inner elbows and/or back of knees

Fungating

Skin lesion that behaves like a fungus in growth rate + appearance. Characterised by ulcerations, necrosis and foul odour

Granulation tissue

Newly formed connective tissue and capillaries on the surface of a healing wound

Hirsutism

Excessive growth of body hair in a male distribution

Hyperhydrosis

Excess sweat production

Hyperpigmentation

Darkening of skin

Hypertrichosis

Excessive hair growth

Hypertrophy

Thickening of skin

Hypopigmentation

Whitening/lightening of skin

Idiopathic

Of unknown aetiology

Indurated

Tissue that’s become hardened/firm

Keloid

A raised scar caused by hyper proliferation of scar tissue beyond the wound boundary

Koebner phenomenon / Isomorphic response

The development of newly formed skin lesions in areas where there is skin injury

Lichenification

Thickened, leathery transformation of skin caused by excessive scratching or rubbing

Maceration

The softening/breakdown of skin caused by prolonged exposure to dampness/moisture.

Macule

A well circumscribed flat patch that is different in colour to the surrounding skin. Up to 1cm in diameter.

Malignant

Cancerous

Melanin

Pigment produced by melanocyte cells Gives colour to human skin, hair and eyes

Morphology

The description of a skin lesion/rash

Necrosis

Tissue death

Nodule

A raised lesion >0.5cm in diameter

Papule

Raised lesion <0.5cm in diameter

Paraesthesia

Numbness/tingling of skin Often described as pins and needles

Pedunculated

A skin lesion with a stalk

Photodermatosis

A dermatological condition triggered by light exposure

Plantar

Sole of foot

Pruritus

Itch

Pustule

Lesion filled with pus

Recalcitrant

Resistant to treatment

Scale

Thin, dry flakes of skin from the epidermis

Sebaceous gland

Skin gland that secretes sebum into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin + hair

Subcutaneous

Beneath the skin

Telangiectasia

Chronic dilation of the small blood vessels within the skin

Ulceration

Loss of epidermis and part of dermis/ development of an ulcer

Onycholysis

Separation of nail plate from bed

Pitting

Small depressions of nail plate

Purpura

Extravasation of blood, will not Blanche, may be raised

Petechia

1-2mm area of flat purpura

Patch

Localised flat coloured rash >1cm

Plaque

Raised edged lesion w flatter surface >1cm

Vesicle

Fluid filled blister <0.5cm

Scale

Accumulated Fragments of keratin layer

Crust

Dried exudate (eg, serum)

Erosion

Superficial break in epidermis

Ulcer

Deeper break into dermis

HAIR TYPES Langugo

Fine long hairs that cover the foetus, shed about 1 month before birth can re-occur in anorexia

HAIR TYPES Vellus

Fine, Short hair covering much of body surfaces. Replaces lanugo hairs before birth

HAIR TYPES Terminal

Long, Coarse hairs (eg. scalp & pubic area) Growth influenced by androgen levels