Medical Terminology Chapter 12: Skin

Medical Terminology: Integumentary System

• Cutane/o - Refers to skin; a primary component of the integumentary system.
• Urtic/o - Signifies rash; often associated with allergic skin reactions.
• Erythr/o - Means red; commonly used to describe conditions involving redness of the skin.
• Hidr/o - Relates to sweat; pertinent in discussions of sweat glands and perspiration.
• Rhytid/o - Indicates wrinkle; frequently encountered in cosmetic dermatology.
• Melan/o - Refers to black or dark; associated with pigmentation in skin and disorders such as melanoma.
• Lip/o - Means fat or lipid; important in discussions of adipose tissue and associated conditions.
• Kerat/o - Refers to horny or hard; associated with keratin, a key protein in skin, hair, and nails.
• Pedicul/o - Pertains to lice; relevant in discussions of parasitic infections of the skin.
• Dermat/o - Means skin; a foundational term in dermatology.
• Xer/o - Indicates dry; often used to describe dry skin conditions.
• Myc/o - Refers to fungus; relevant in fungal skin infections.
• Hirsut/o - Means hairy or rough; often related to excessive hair growth disorders.
• Onych/o - Pertains to nails; terms including onychomycosis describe nail conditions.
• Seb/o - Indicates sebum; relevant for discussing sebaceous glands and oil production.

Conditions and Concepts

• Cellulitis - Acute, rapidly spreading bacterial infection within the connective tissues.
• Dysplastic Nevi - Atypical moles that have potential to develop into skin cancer.
• Alopecia Areata - Autoimmune disorder characterized by well-defined bald areas.
• Hematoma - Swelling of clotted blood trapped within tissues.
• Diaphoresis - Refers to profuse sweating; often relevant in heat exhaustion or other conditions.
• Cicatrix - A normal scar that forms during the healing process of a wound.
• Bulla - A large blister, defined as having a diameter greater than 0.5 cm.
• Debridement - The process of removing foreign material and dead tissue from a wound.
• Second-degree Burn - Characterized by blisters and damage affecting the epidermis and dermis.
• Verrucae - Commonly known as warts, caused by human papillomavirus.

Structures

• Keratin - A fibrous protein found in hair, nails, and the outer layer of skin; important for structural integrity.
• Unguis - Refers to fingernails or toenails; vital for protection and sensations.
• Sebaceous Glands - Glands that secrete sebum, playing a role in keeping skin moisturized.
• Mammary Glands - Milk-producing glands important for lactation.
• Dermis - The layer of skin located below the epidermis; contains connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves.

Medical Terms and Disease States

• Onychocryptosis - The medical term for an ingrown toenail.
• Impetigo - Highly contagious bacterial skin infection characterized by pustules that crust and rupture; common in children.
• Laceration - A torn or jagged wound; also known as an accidental cut.
• Basal Cell Carcinoma - A type of skin cancer that often results in lesions that bleed easily.
• Necrotizing Fasciitis - Often referred to as flesh-eating bacteria, known for rapidly destroying soft tissue.
• Psoriasis - A chronic skin condition characterized by red papules covered with silvery scales and itching.
• Eczema - An inflammatory skin disease characterized by blistering, cracking, oozing, or bleeding skin.
• Abscess - A localized collection of pus formed within tissues.
• Onychia - Inflammation of the nail bed, often leading to loss of the nail.
• Scleroderma - An autoimmune disorder causing thickening and hardening of connective tissues, affecting skin texture.

Abbreviations

• BCC - Basal Cell Carcinoma.
• I & D - Incision and drainage, or irrigation and debridement.
• SLE - Systemic lupus erythematosus.
• MM - Malignant melanoma.