The Skin: Key Terms

Question 1

derma

Answer 1

skin

Question 2

dermis

Answer 2

the layer of the skin between the epidermis and the subcutaneous tissue; the true skin or corium

Question 3

epidermis

Answer 3

the outermost layer of the skin; meaning upon or over

Question 4

hair

Answer 4

a thread like keratinized outgrowth from the skin

Question 5

hair follicle

Answer 5

the sheath in which a hair develops

Question 6

integumentary

Answer 6

the skin and its associated glands, hair and nails

Question 7

keratin

Answer 7

a protein that thickens and toughens the skin and makes up hair and nails

Question 8

melanin

Answer 8

a dark pigment that gives color to the hair and skin and protects the skin against the sun’s radiation

Question 9

nail

Answer 9

a plate-like keratinized outgrowth of the skin that covers the dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges

Question 10

sebaceous gland

Answer 10

a gland that produces sebum; usually associated with a hair follicle

Question 11

sebum

Answer 11

a fatty secretion of the sebaceous gland that lubricates the hair and skin

Question 12

skin

Answer 12

the tissue that covers the body; the integument

Question 13

subcutaneous tissue

Answer 13

the layer of tissue beneath the skin; aka hypodermis

Question 14

sudoriferous gland

Answer 14

a sweat gland

Question 15

cutaneous

Answer 15

pertaining to the skin

Question 16

atopic dermatitis

Answer 16

hereditary, allergic, chronic skin inflammation with pruritis; eczema

Question 17

basal cell carcinoma

Answer 17

an epithelial tumor that rarely metastasizes and has a high cure rate with surgical removal

Question 18

cicatrization

Answer 18

the process of scar formation; a scar is a cicatrix

Question 19

debridement

Answer 19

removal of dead or damaged tissue, as from a wound

Question 20

dehiscence

Answer 20

splitting, or bursting, as when the layers of a wound separate

Question 21

dermatitis

Answer 21

inflammation of the skin, often associated with redness and itching; may be caused by allergy, irritants, (contact dermatitis), or a variety of diseases

Question 22

dermatology

Answer 22

study of the skin and diseases of the skin

Question 23

dermatome

Answer 23

instrument for cutting think skin sections for grafting

Question 24

eczema

Answer 24

a general term for skin inflammation with redness, lesions and itching; atopic dermatitis

Question 25

erythema

Answer 25

diffuse redness of the skin

Question 26

escharotomy

Answer 26

removal of scab tissue resulting from burns or other skin injuries; a scab or crust is an eschar

Question 27

evisceration

Answer 27

protrusion of internal organs (viscera) through an opening, as through a wound

Question 28

exudate

Answer 28

material, which may include fluid, cells, pus, or blood, that escapes from damaged tissue

Question 29

Kaposi sarcoma

Answer 29

cancerous lesion of the skin and other tissues seen most often in patients with AIDS

Question 30

keloid

Answer 30

a raised, thickened scar caused by tissue overgrowth during scar formation

Question 31

lupus erythematosus (LE)

Answer 31

a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune disease of connective tissue that often involves the skin; types include the more widespread systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) and a discoid for (DLE) that involves only the skin

Question 32

malignant melanoma

Answer 32

a metastasizing pigmented skin tumor

Question 33

pemphigus

Answer 33

an autoimmune disease of the skin characterized by sudden, intermittent formation bullae (blisters); may be fatal if untreated

Question 34

pressure ulcer

Answer 34

an ulcer caused by pressure to an area of the body, as from a bed or chair; decubitus

Question 35

pruritus

Answer 35

severe itching

Question 36

psoriasis

Answer 36

a chronic hereditary dermatitis with red lesions covered by silvery scales

Question 37

rules of nines

Answer 37

a method for estimating the extent of body surface area involved in a burn by assigning percentages in multiples of nine to various body regions

Question 38

scleroderma

Answer 38

a chronic disease that is characterized by thickening and tightening of the skin that often involves internal organs in a form called progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS)

Question 39

squamous cell carcinoma

Answer 39

an epidermal cancer that may involve deeper tissues but tends not to metastasize