3.8: Glossary

Abrasion (ă-BRĀ-zhŏn): A wound caused by superficial damage to the skin by scraping or wearing away. (Chapter 3.5)

Abscess (ĂB-sĕs): A swollen area within body tissue containing an accumulation of pus. (Chapter 3.5)

Acne (AK-nē): A common skin condition characterized by the presence of pimples on the face, chest, and back due to inflammation or infection of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles. (Chapter 3.5)

Adipose (ĂD-ĭ-pōs): Pertaining to fat or fatty tissue. (Chapter 3.4)

Albinism (ĂL-bĭ-nĭz-əm): A group of inherited disorders characterized by little or no melanin production causing individuals to appear white or very pale. (Chapter 3.5)

Alopecia (ăl-ō-PĒ-shē-ă): A condition in which hair is lost from some or all areas of the body, typically the scalp. (Chapter 3.4)

Anhidrosis (ăn-hī-DRŌ-sĭs): Inability to sweat normally, which can lead to overheating. (Chapter 3.4)

Apocrine sweat glands (ĂP-ō-krĭn swĕt glănds): Sweat glands that produce a more viscous sweat; found in the armpit and genital areas. (Chapter 3.4)

Bacteria (bak-TĒR-ē-a): Members of a large group of microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease. (Chapter 3.5)

Basal cell carcinoma (BĀ-săl sel kar-sĭn-Ō-mă): A type of skin cancer that begins in the basal cells of the skin and is usually caused by long-term exposure to UV radiation from sunlight; most common of all skin cancers. (Chapter 3.5)

Benign (bē-NĪN): A term used to describe tumors or growths that are not cancerous and do not spread to other parts of the body. (Chapter 3.5)

Biopsy (BĪ-op-sē): The removal of tissue from the body for examination, usually to diagnose a disease. (Chapter 3.6)

Birthmark (BURTH-mark): A benign irregularity on the skin present at birth or appearing shortly after birth. (Chapter 3.5)

Blister (BLĬS-tĕr): A small bubble on the skin filled with serum and caused by friction, burning, or other damage. (Chapter 3.5)

Boil (BOIL): A painful, pus-filled bump under the skin often caused by an infected hair follicle. (Chapter 3.5)

Bruise (BRŪZ): Also referred to as a contusion; an injury appearing as an area of discolored skin on the body, caused by a blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels. (Chapter 3.5)

Bulla (BŬL-lă): A large blister. (Chapter 3.5)

Burn (bûrn): An injury caused by exposure to heat, flame, radiation, electricity, or chemicals. (Chapter 3.5)

Calluses (KĂL-ū-ses): Thickened and hardened parts of the skin or soft tissue, especially in an area that has been subjected to friction. (Chapter 3.5)

Cauterization (KAW-tĕr-īz-a-shŏn): A medical procedure used to burn tissue to stop bleeding or to remove a lesion. (Chapter 3.6)

Cellulitis (sĕl-yū-LĪ-tĭs): A bacterial infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue characterized by redness, pain, heat, and swelling. (Chapter 3.5)

Community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA): MRSA infection occurring in people in the wider community. (Chapter 3.5)

Contusion (kŏn-TOO-zhŏn): A region of injured tissue or skin in which blood capillaries have been ruptured; a bruise. (Chapter 3.5)

Corn: A thickened area of skin with a central core, typically found on the toes. (Chapter 3.5)

Cuticle (KYŪ-tĭ-kĭl): A protective thin layer of skin at the base of the fingernails and toenails. (Chapter 3.4)

Cyanosis (sī-ă-NŌ-sĭs): A bluish discoloration of the skin resulting from poor circulation or inadequate oxygenation of the blood. (Chapter 3.5)

Cyst (sist): A closed sac in or under the skin that contains fluid, air, or other substances. (Chapter 3.5)

Dandruff (DĂN-drŭf): The shedding of dead skin cells from the scalp. (Chapter 3.4)

Debridement (di-BRĒD-mĕnt): The removal of damaged tissue or foreign objects from a wound. (Chapter 3.5, Chapter 3.6)

Dehydration (dē-hī-DRĀ-shŏn): Excessive water loss. (Chapter 3.4)

Dermabrasion (dûr-mă-BRĀ-shŏn): A dermatological procedure that uses a rotating instrument to remove the outer layers of skin, typically on the face. (Chapter 3.6)

Dermatitis (dûr-mă-TĪ-tĭs): Inflammation of the skin that can cause a rash, including various types such as contact dermatitis and dermatitis caused by dust. (Chapter 3.5)

Dermatoconiosis (dûr-mă-tō-kō-nē-Ō-sĭs): A type of dermatitis caused by dust contacting the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Dermatofibroma (dĕr-mă-tō-fī-BRŌ-mă): A common benign skin growth, often a small, firm nodular lesion on the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Dermatoheteroplasty (dûr-mă-tō-HĔT-ĕr-ō-plăs-tē): Surgical repair of the skin using skin grafts from a donor. (Chapter 3.6)

Dermatologist (dûr-mă-TŎL-ŏ-jĭst): A physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin disorders and diseases. (Chapter 3.6)

Dermis (DUR-mĭs): The middle layer of skin, containing tough connective tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands. (Chapter 3.4)

Diaphoresis (dī-ă-fə-RĒ-sĭs): Excessive sweating, commonly associated with shock and other medical emergency conditions. (Chapter 3.4)

Eccrine sweat gland (ĔK-rĭn swĕt glănd): A small sweat gland that produces a watery secretion without removing cytoplasm from the secreting cells; found all over the body but especially abundant on the palms of the hand, soles of the feet, and forehead. (Chapter 3.4)

Eczema (eg-ZĒ-mă): An allergic inflammatory condition of the skin, manifesting as dry, itchy patches that resemble a red, flaky rash. (Chapter 3.5)

Edema (ĕ-DĒ-mă): Swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in the body’s tissues; commonly seen in the extremities. (Chapter 3.5)

Elastin (ĭ-LĂS-tĭn): A protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows many tissues in the body to resume their shape after stretching or contracting. (Chapter 3.4)

Epidermis (ĕp-ĭ-DUR-mĭs): The outermost layer of skin, providing a waterproof barrier and creating skin tone. (Chapter 3.4)

Erythema (ĕr-ĭ-THĒ-mă): Redness of the skin caused by capillary dilation. (Chapter 3.5)

Excision (ĕk-SIZH-ŏn): The surgical removal of tissue, typically involving cutting out or off. (Chapter 3.6)

Fascia (FĂSH-ē-ă): A band or sheet of connective tissue, primarily collagen, beneath the skin that attaches, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles, bones, and other internal organs. (Chapter 3.4)

First-degree burn: A mild burn characterized by heat, pain, and reddening of the burned surface but not exhibiting blistering or charring of tissues. (Chapter 3.5)

Fourth-degree burn: A burn which extends into deeper tissues, causing carbonization or charring of bones, muscles, and tendons underneath. (Chapter 3.5)

Frostbite (FRŌST-bīt): Injury to body tissues caused by exposure to extreme cold, typically affecting the nose, fingers, or toes and sometimes resulting in gangrene. (Chapter 3.4)

Gangrene (GANG-grēn): The death of body tissue due to a lack of blood flow or a bacterial infection. (Chapter 3.5)

Hirsutism (HUR-sū-tĭz-əm): Excessive hair growth on the face and body in areas where hair is usually minimal or absent, particularly in women. (Chapter 3.4)

Hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA): MRSA infection occurring in people in hospitals or other health care facilities. (Chapter 3.5)

Human papillomavirus (hyū-măn pap-ĭ-lō-mă-VĪ-rŭs) (HPV): The most common sexually transmitted infection, causing genital warts and potentially leading to cervical, throat, and other cancers. (Chapter 3.5)

Hyperhidrosis (hī-pĕr-hī-DRŌ-sĭs): Abnormally excessive sweating. (Chapter 3.4)

Hypodermis (hī-pō-DUR-mĭs): Also known as subcutaneous tissue; the deeper subcutaneous tissue composed of fat and connective tissue. (Chapter 3.4)

Impetigo (ĭm-pĕ-TĪ-gō): A contagious bacterial skin infection forming pustules and yellow crusty sores, typically in children. (Chapter 3.5)

Incision & drainage (in-SIZH-ŏn and DRĀN-ij) (I&D): A minor surgical procedure to cut into a lesion or abscess to allow the escape of fluid. (Chapter 3.6)

Infection (ĭn-FĔK-shŏn): The invasion and multiplication of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that are not normally present within the body. (Chapter 3.5)

Jaundice (JON-dĭs): A yellowing of the skin and eyes due to a buildup of bilirubin in the blood. (Chapter 3.5)

Keloid (KĒ-loyd): An area of irregular fibrous tissue formed at the site of a scar or injury. (Chapter 3.5)

Keratin (KĔR-ă-tĭn): A protein found in the skin, hair, and nails, providing strength and protection. (Chapter 3.4)

Laceration (lăs-ĕ-RĀ-shŏn): A deep cut or tear in skin or flesh. (Chapter 3.5)

Laser surgery (LĀ-zĕr SUR-jə-rē): A surgical technique that uses a laser to cut tissue instead of a scalpel. (Chapter 3.6)

Lesion (lĒ-zhŏn): A region in an organ or tissue that has suffered damage through injury or disease. (Chapter 3.5)

Leukoplakia (loo-kō-PLĀ-kē-ă): Thickened, white patches on the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, or cheek. (Chapter 3.5)

Lipoma (lī-PŌ-mă): A benign tumor made of fat tissue. (Chapter 3.5)

Lupus (LOO-pŭs): The common name for systemic lupus erythematosus; an autoimmune disease in which the immune system recognizes its own cell antigens as being “non-self” and mounts an immune response against them. (Chapter 3.5)

Lymphedema (lim-fĕ-DĒ-mă): A type of swelling that occurs when lymph fluid builds up in the body’s soft tissues, often in the arms or legs, typically due to damage to the lymph system. (Chapter 3.5)

Macule (MAK-ūl): A flat, discolored spot on the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Melanocytes (mĕl-ĀN-ō-sītz): Cells located in the epidermis that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. (Chapter 3.4)

Melanoma (mel-ă-NŌ-mă): A serious form of skin cancer that arises from the pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes. (Chapter 3.5)

Metastasize (mĕ-TĂS-tă-sīz): The process by which cancer cells spread from the place where they first formed to another part of the body. (Chapter 3.5)

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (mĕth-ĭ-SĬL-ĭn rĕ-zĭs-tănt STĂF-ə-lō-KŌK-ŭs OWR-ē-ŭs) (MRSA): A strain of staph bacteria that’s resistant to the antibiotics commonly used to treat staph infections. (Chapter 3.5)

Mohs surgery (MŌZ SŬR-jĕr-ē): A precise surgical technique used to treat skin cancer, involving the progressive removal and examination of layers of cancer-containing skin until only cancer-free tissue remains. (Chapter 3.5)

Mole (MŌL): A small skin growth that is usually brown or black; formed due to a cluster of pigmented cells. (Chapter 3.5)

Necrosis (nĕ-KRŌ-sĭs): The death of most or all of the cells in an organ or tissue due to disease, injury, or failure of the blood supply causing the skin to turn black. (Chapter 3.5)

Nevus (NĒ-vŭs): A benign skin lesion, commonly known as a mole, that is often pigmented. (Chapter 3.5)

Nodule (NOJ-ool): A small lump or growth on or under the skin, often a sign of an underlying condition or disease. (Chapter 3.5)

Onycholysis (ŏn-ĭ-KŌL-ĭ-sĭs): The painless detachment of the nail from the nail bed. (Chapter 3.4)

Onychomycosis (ŏn-ī-kō-mī-KŌ-sĭs): Fungal infections of the nails. (Chapter 3.5)

Onychophagia (ŏn-ĭ-kō-FĀ-jē-ă): The habit of biting the nails. (Chapter 3.4)

Pallor (PĂL-or): An unhealthy pale appearance. (Chapter 3.5)

Papule (PAP-ūl): A small, raised, solid bump on the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Pathogens (PATH-ō-jĕns): Microorganisms that cause disease. (Chapter 3.5)

Pediculosis (pĕd-ĭ-kū-LŌ-sĭs): An infection with lice, typically affecting the head and resulting in itching and visible nits. (Chapter 3.5)

Petechiae (pĕ-TĒK-ē-ī): Small, pinpoint, nonblanching red or purple spots on the skin, often caused by minor hemorrhages or bleeding under the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Pressure injuries: Damage to the skin and underlying soft tissue usually over a bony prominence or related to a medical or other device due to unrelieved pressure. (Chapter 3.5)

Pruritus (proo-RĪT-ŭs): Severe itching; a common symptom in various skin conditions and diseases. (Chapter 3.5)

Psoriasis (sō-RĪ-ə-sĭs): A chronic autoimmune skin disease that speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells, causing red, itchy, scaly patches on the body, most commonly on the elbows, knees, and scalp. (Chapter 3.5)

Purpura (PUR-pyŏŏ-ră): Larger areas of purple or red discolorations on the skin, often caused by bleeding underneath the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Pus (PŬS): A thick fluid composed of leukocytes, bacteria, and dead tissues, typically associated with infection. (Chapter 3.5)

Pustule (PŬS-tūl): A small blister or pimple on the skin containing pus. (Chapter 3.5)

Rash: An area of redness and small spots on the skin due to allergy or illness. (Chapter 3.5)

Rhytidectomy (rĭt-ĭ-DEK-tə-mē): A cosmetic surgical procedure, commonly known as a facelift, to remove wrinkles and sagging skin. (Chapter 3.6)

Rickets (RIK-ĕts): A disease of children caused by vitamin D deficiency, characterized by imperfect calcification, softening, and distortion of the bones typically resulting in bowed legs. (Chapter 3.4)

Rosacea (rō-ZĀ-shē-ă): A chronic skin disorder characterized by facial redness, small, red, pus-filled bumps, and visible blood vessels, often on the nose and cheeks. (Chapter 3.5)

Rule of Nines: A method used in calculating body surface area affected by burns. (Chapter 3.5)

Scabies (SKĀ-bēz): An infection caused by tiny mites that burrow into the skin, leading to intense itching. (Chapter 3.5)

Scar (skăr): A mark left on the skin or within body tissue where a wound, burn, or sore has not healed completely, and fibrous connective tissue has developed. (Chapter 3.5)

Sebaceous gland (sĕ-BĀ-shŭs glănd): A small gland in the skin which secretes a lubricating oily matter (sebum) into the hair follicles to lubricate the skin and hair. (Chapter 3.4)

Second-degree burn: A burn marked by pain, blistering, and superficial destruction of dermis with edema and hyperemia of the tissues beneath the burn. (Chapter 3.5)

Shingles (SHING-gĭlz): A viral disease that causes painful rashes on the skin, caused by the varicella-zoster virus. (Chapter 3.5)

Skin ulcer (‘skin ŬL-sĕr): An open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or mucous membrane that fails to heal. (Chapter 3.5)

Squamous cell carcinoma (SKWĀ-mŭs sel kar-sĭn-Ō-mă): A common form of skin cancer that originates in the squamous cells of the skin; often due to UV exposure and can metastasize if not treated. (Chapter 3.5)

Staphylococcus (stăf-ə-lō-KŌK-ŭs): A genus of gram-positive bacteria. (Chapter 3.5)

Streptococcus (strĕp-tō-KŌK-ŭs): A genus of coccus (spherical) bacteria belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the lactic acid bacteria group. (Chapter 3.5)

Striae (STRĪ-ē): Commonly referred to as stretch marks; long, narrow streaks, stripes, or lines that develop on the skin, often due to rapid stretching of the skin. (Chapter 3.5)

Subcutaneous (sŭb-kū-TĀ-nē-ŭs): Also known as hypodermis tissue; the deeper tissue composed of fat and connective tissue. (Chapter 3.4)

Suturing (SOO-chər-ing): The act of sewing or stitching up a wound or incision. (Chapter 3.6)

Sympathetic nervous system (sĭm-pă-THĔT-ĭk NUR-vŭs SIS-tĕm): Part of the autonomic nervous system that serves to accelerate the heart rate, constrict blood vessels, and raise blood pressure. (Chapter 3.4)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (sis-TĔM-ik LOO-pŭs ĕr-i-thē-mă-TO-sŭs) (SLE): A chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and damage to various body tissues and organs, including the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and heart. (Chapter 3.5)

Telangiectasia (tĕl-an-jē-ĕk-TĀ-zē-ă): Small, visible blood vessels near the surface of the skin; often appearing as red or purple lines. (Chapter 3.5)

Third-degree burn: A severe burn characterized by destruction of the skin through the depth of the dermis and possibly into underlying tissues, loss of fluid, and sometimes shock. (Chapter 3.5)

Tinea (TĪ-nē-ă): A group of skin infections caused by a fungus, including conditions like ringworm, athlete’s foot, and jock itch. (Chapter 3.5)

Tinea capitis (TĪ-nē-ă KĂP-ĭ-tĭs): Scalp ringworm causing itchy, red patches on the head that can leave bald spots. (Chapter 3.5)

Tinea corporis (TĪ-nē-ă KŌR-pŏ-rĭs): Ringworm; a fungal rash on the body that typically looks like a red ring with a clear center. (Chapter 3.5)

Tinea cruris (TĪ-nē-ă KRŌŏ-rĭs): Jock itch; causes an itchy, burning rash in the groin area. (Chapter 3.5)

Tinea pedis (TĪ-nē-ă PĔD-ĭs): Athlete’s foot, causing itching, burning, and cracked skin between the toes. (Chapter 3.5)

Urticaria (ur-tĭ-KĀR-ē-ă): Raised, itchy rashes on the skin, also known as hives. (Chapter 3.5)

Vascularized (VĂS-kū-lə-rīzd): Richly supplied with blood vessels. (Chapter 3.4)

Verruca (vĕr-ROO-kă): Another term for a wart; a benign growth on the skin caused by a virus. (Chapter 3.5)

Vesicle (VES-ĭ-kĭl): A small, fluid-filled sac or blister within or under the epidermis. (Chapter 3.5)

Virus (VĪ-rŭs): A microorganism that spreads infection by invading the body’s cells and replicating. (Chapter 3.5)

Vitiligo (vĭt-ĭ-LĪ-gō): A disease that causes loss of skin color in blotches. (Chapter 3.5)

Wart (WART): A small, benign growth on the skin caused by a virus; also called verruca. (Chapter 3.5)

Wheal: An individual hive. (Chapter 3.4)

Xeroderma (zē-rō-DUR-mă): Excessively dry skin; often caused by environmental factors or certain skin conditions. (Chapter 3.5)

Yeast infections (YĒST ĭn-FĕK-shŭns): Infections commonly caused by the Candida fungus, leading to overgrowth and symptoms like itching and discharge. (Chapter 3.5)