Medical Terminology Chapter 16 - The Skin Flashcards

Medical Terminology - The Skin

• Adipocyte: Refers to a fat cell, crucial for storing energy and insulating the body.
• Albino: Describes a person with a deficiency of melanin, leading to lack of pigment in skin and hair.
• Apocrine Sweat Gland: Large sweat glands situated in the axillary and genital regions, associated with body odor due to sweat interacting with bacteria.
• Basal Layer: The deepest part of the epidermis responsible for generating all epidermal cells.
• Collagen: A vital structural protein found in skin and connective tissues, providing strength and elasticity.
• Cuticle: The protective band of epidermis located at the base and sides of the nail plate.
• Dermis: The middle layer of skin that supports the epidermis and contains blood vessels, nerves, and glands.
• Eccrine Sweat Gland: The most abundant type of sweat gland, primarily involved in regulating body temperature through perspiration.
• Epidermis: The outermost layer of the skin providing a barrier against environmental hazards.
• Epithelium: A layer of skin cells that forms the body's inner and outer surfaces, crucial for protection and sensation.
• Hair Follicle: The sac or structure from which hair grows, extending from the dermis to the epidermis.
• Integumentary System: The comprehensive system that includes the skin and its appendages, such as hair and nails, playing a significant role in protection and regulation.
• Keratin: A hard protein that makes up the structure of the epidermis, hair, and nails, providing durability.
• Lunula: The crescent-shaped white area at the base of the nail, indicating nail growth.
• Melanin: The primary skin pigment produced by melanocytes, essential for skin color and UV protection.
• Paronychium: The soft tissue surrounding the nails, important for nail health.
• Pore: Tiny openings on the skin surface through which sweat and oil can be secreted.
• Sebaceous Gland: Oil-producing glands in the dermis associated with hair follicles, important for skin lubrication.
• Sebum: Oily substance secreted by sebaceous glands that helps hydrate and protect the skin.
• Squamous Epithelium: Composed of flat, scale-like cells which are the primary constituents of the epidermis.
• Stratified: A term denoting layers, significant in the arrangement of skin cells.
• Stratum: Indicates a distinct layer of cells within the skin structure.
• Stratum Corneum: The outermost protective layer of the epidermis made up of dead, flattened keratinized cells.
• Subcutaneous Layer: The innermost layer of skin, rich in fat tissue providing insulation and cushioning.
• Adip/o: A root term denoting fat.
• Albin/o: A root term referring to the color white, often used in terms relating to pigmentation.
• Caus/o: A root term meaning burning or burns.
• Cauter/o: Indicates the use of heat or burning in medical procedures.
• Cutane/o: A root term that specifically signifies skin.
• Derm/o, Dermat/o: Root terms referring to skin, essential in dermatological terminology.
• Diaphor/o: Describes excessive sweating, often as a symptom or condition.
• Erythem/o, Erythemat/o: Terms relating to redness, often observed in various skin conditions.
• Hidr/o: A root term denoting sweat, relevant in discussions about glandular function and sweat disorders.
• Ichthy/o: A term referring to dry, scaly skin, important in dermatology.
• Kerat/o: Indicates hardness, frequently used in discussions about skin and nails.
• Leuk/o: A root term meaning white, often associated with conditions affecting pigmentation.
• Lip/o: A root term denoting fat.
• Melan/o: A term related to black pigmentation, relevant in skin color discussions.
• Myc/o: A root term for fungus, important in infections and skin diseases.
• Onych/o: A term related to nails, significant in studies of nail disorders.
• Phyt/o: Denotes plant matter, sometimes referenced in dermatitis or allergic reactions.
• Pil/o: A term referring specifically to hair.
• Py/o: A root term meaning pus, often linked to infections.
• Rhytid/o: A term associated with wrinkles, important in dermatological studies of aging.
• Seb/o: Relates to sebum.
• Squam/o: Describes scale-like structures, relevant in histology.
• Steat/o: A root term denoting fat.
• Trich/o: A term related to hair.
• Ungu/o: Pertains to nails.
• Xanth/o: A term meaning yellow, often used in conditions like jaundice.
• Xer/o: Refers to dryness, common in various skin conditions.
• Lesion: An area of abnormal tissue which may arise due to disease or injury, commonly assessed in dermatology.
• Crust: Composed of dried serum and cellular debris, can occur in many skin conditions.
• Cyst: A thick-walled, closed sac that may contain fluid or semi-solid material, common in dermatological assessments.
• Erosion: Refers to the wearing away or loss of epidermis, often resulting from injury or inflammation.
• Fissure: A groove or crack-like sore in the skin, indicative of severe dryness or pathological processes.
• Macule: A flat skin lesion measuring less than 1 cm, important for identifying certain skin conditions.
• Nodule: A solid, elevated lesion measuring 1 cm or more, significant in physical examinations.
• Papule: A small, raised skin lesion whose nature is often assessed during skin examinations.