More Chapter 3 Medical Vocab

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abrasion

Back 1

A scaping away of the skin surface by friction

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cicatrix

Back 2

A scar

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comedo

Back 3

Collection of hardened sebum in hair follicle. Also called a blackhead

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contusion

Back 4

Injury caused by a blow to the body; causes swelling, pain, and bruising. The skin is not broken.

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cyanosis

Back 5

Blush tint to the skin caused by deoxygenated blood.

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depigmentation

Back 6

Loss of normal skin color or pigment.

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dermatology (Derm, derm)

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Branch of medicine involving diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases of the integumentary system. Physician is a dermatologist.

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diaphoresis

Back 8

Profuse sweating.

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ecchymosis

Back 9

Skin discoloration caused by blood collecting under the skin following blunt trauma to the skin. A bruise.

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erythema

Back 10

Redness or flushing of the skin.

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eschar

Back 11

A thick layer of dead tissue and tissue fluid that develops over a deep burn area.

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hirsutism

Back 12

Excessive hair growth over the body.

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hyperemia

Back 13

Redness of the skin due to increased blood flow.

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hyperpigmentation

Back 14

Abnormal amount of pigmentation in the skin.

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keloid

Back 15

Formation of a raised and thickened hypertrophic scar after an injury or surgery.

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keratosis

Back 16

Term for any skin condition involving an overgrowth and thickening of the epidermis layer.

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lesion

Back 17

A general term for a wound, injury, or abnormality.

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nevus

Back 18

Pigmented skin blemish, birthmark, or mole. Usually benign but may become cancerous.

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pallor

Back 19

Abnormal paleness of the skin.

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petechiae

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Pinpoint purple or red spots from minute hemorrhages under the skin.

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photosensitivity

Back 21

Condition in which the skin reacts abnormally when exposed to light, such as the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun.

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plastic surgery

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Surgical specialty involved in repair, reconstruction, or improvement of body structures such as the skin that are damaged, missing, or misshapen. Physician is a plastic surgeon.

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pruritus

Back 23

Severe itching.

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purpura

Back 24

Hemorrhages into the skin due to fragile blood vessels. Commonly seen in elderly people.

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purulent

Back 25

Containing pus or an infection that is producing pus. Pus consists of dead bacteria, white blood cells, and tissue debris.

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strawberry hemangioma

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Congenital collection of dilated blood vessels causing a red birthmark that fades a few months after birth.

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suppurative

Back 27

Containing or producing pus.

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urticaria

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Also called hives; a skin eruption of pale reddish wheals with severe itching. Usually associated with food allergy, stress, or drug reactions.

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verruca

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Commonly called warts; a benign growth caused by a virus. Has a rough surface that is removed by chemicals and/or laser therapy.

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cyst

Back 30

Fluid-filled sac under the skin.

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fissure

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Crack-like lesion or groove on the skin.

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laceration

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A torn or jagged wound; incorrectly used to describe a cut.

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macule

Back 33

Flat, discolored area that is flush with the skin surface. An example would be a birthmark.

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nodule

Back 34

Firm, solid mass of cells in the skin larger than 0.5 cm in diameter.

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papule

Back 35

Small, solid, circular raised spot on the surface of the skin less than 0.5 cm in diameter.

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pustule

Back 36

Raised spot on the skin containing pus.

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ulcer

Back 37

Open sore or lesion in skin or mucous membrane.

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vesicle

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A blister; small, fluid-filled raised spot on the skin.

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wheal

Back 39

Small, round, swollen area on the skin; typically seen in allergic skin reactions such as hives and usually accompanied by urticaria.

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abscess

Back 40

A collection of pus in the skin.

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acne

Back 41

Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles resulting in papules and pustules.

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acne rosacea

Back 42

Chronic form of acne seen in adults involving redness, tiny pimples, and broken blood vessels, primarily on the nose and cheeks.

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acne vulgaris

Back 43

Common form of acne seen in teenagers. Characterized by comedo, papules, and pustules.

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albinism

Back 44

A genetic condition in which the body is unable to make melanin. Characterized by white hair and skin and red pupils due to the lack of pigment. The person with albinism is called an albino.

Front 45

basal cell carcinoma (BCC)

Back 45

Cancerous tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis. A frequent type of skin cancer that rarely metastasizes or spreads. These cancers can arise on sun exposed skin.

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cellulitis

Back 46

A diffuse, acute infection and inflammation of the connective tissue found in the skin.

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decubitus ulcer (decub)

Back 47

Open sore caused by pressure over bony prominences cutting off the blood flow to the overlying skin. These can appear in bedridden patients who lie in one position too long and can be difficult to heal. Also called bedsore or pressure sore.

Front 48

dry gangrene

Back 48

Late stages of gangrene characterized by the affected area becoming dried, blackened, and shriveled, referred to as mummified.

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eczema

Back 49

Superficial dermatitis of unknown cause accompanied by redness, vesicles, itching, and crusting.

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gangrene

Back 50

Tissue necrosis usually due to deficient blood supply.

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ichthyosis

Back 51

Condition in which the skin becomes dry, scaly, and keratinized.

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impetigo

Back 52

A highly infectious bacterial infection of the skin with pustules that rupture and become crusted over.

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Kaposi's sarcoma

Back 53

Form of skin cancer frequently seen in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Consists of brownish-purple papules that spread from the skin and metastasize to internal organs.

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malignant melanoma (MM)

Back 54

Dangerous form of skin cancer caused by an uncontrolled growth of melanocytes. May quickly metastasize or spread to internal organs.

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pediculosis

Back 55

Infestation with lice. The eggs laid by the lice are called nits and cling tightly to hair.

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psoriasis

Back 56

Chronic inflammatory condition consisting of papules forming "silvery scale" patches with circular borders.

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rubella

Back 57

Contagious viral skin infection. Commonly called German measles.

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scabies

Back 58

Contagious skin disease caused by an egg-laying mite that burrows through the skin and causes redness and intense itching; often seen in children.

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sebaceous cyst

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Sac under the skin filled with sebum or oil from a sebaceous gland. This can grow to a large size and may need to be excised.

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squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)

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Cancer of the epidrmis layer of skin that may invade deep tissue and metastasize. Often begins as a sore that does not heal.

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systemic lupus erythematosus

Back 61

Chronic disease of the connective tissue that injures the skin, joints, kidneys, nervous system, and mucous membranes. May produce a characteristic red, scaly butterfly rash across the cheeks and nose.

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tinea

Back 62

Fungal skin disease resulting in itching, scaling lesions.

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tinea capitis

Back 63

Fungal infection of the scalp. Commonly called ringworm.

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tinea pedis

Back 64

Fungal infection of the foot. Commonly called athlete's foot.

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varicella

Back 65

Contagious viral skin infection. Commonly called chickenpox.

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vitiligo

Back 66

Disappearance of pigment from the skin in patches, causing a milk-white appearance. Also called leukoderma.

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wet gangrene

Back 67

An area of gangrene that becomes secondarily infected by pus-producing bacteria.

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alopecia

Back 68

Absence or loss of hair, especially of the head. Commonly called baldness.

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carbuncle

Back 69

Furuncle involving several hair follicles.

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furuncle

Back 70

Bacterial infection of a hair follicle. Characterized by redness, pain, and swelling. Also called a boil.

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onychia

Back 71

Infected nail bed.

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paronychia

Back 72

Infection of the skin fold around a nail.

Front 73

culture and sensitivity (C&S)

Back 73

A laboratory test that grows a colony of bacteria removed from an infected area in order to identify the specific infecting bacteria and then determine its sensitivity to a variety of antibiotics.

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biopsy (BX, bx)

Back 74

A piece of tissue is removed by syringe and needle, knife, punch, or brush to examine under a microscrope. Used to aid in diagnosis.

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exfoliative cytology

Back 75

Scraping cells from tissue and then examining them under a microscope.

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frozen section (FS)

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A thin piece of tissue is cut from a frozen specimen for rapid examination under a microscope.

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fungal scrapings

Back 77

Scrapings, taken with a curette or scraper, of tissue from lesions are placed on a growth medium and examined under a microscope to identify fungal growth.

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allograft

Back 78

Skin graft from one person to another; donor is usually a cadaver.

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autograft

Back 79

Skin graft from a person's own body.

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dermatome

Back 80

Instrument for cutting the skin or thin transplants of skin.

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dermatoplasty

Back 81

Skin grafting; transplantation of skin.

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heterograft

Back 82

Skin graft from an animal of another species (usually a pig) to a human. Also called a xenograft.

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skin graft (SG)

Back 83

The transfer of skin from a normal area to cover another site. Used to treat burn victims and after some surgical procedures. Also called dermatoplasty.

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xenograft

Back 84

Skin graft from an animal of another species (usually a pig) to a human. Also called heterograft.

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cauterization

Back 85

Destruction of tissue by using caustic chemicals, electric currents, heat, or by freezing.

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cryosurgery

Back 86

The use of extreme cold to freeze and destroy tissue.

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curettage

Back 87

Removal of superficial skin lesions with a curette (surgical instrument shaped like a spoon) or scraper.

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debridement

Back 88

Removal of foreign material and dead or damaged tissue from a wound.

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electrocautery

Back 89

To destroy tissue with an electric current.

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incision and drainage (I&D)

Back 90

Making an incision to create an opening for the drainage of material such as pus.

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chemabrasion

Back 91

Abrasion using chemicals. Also called a chemical peel.

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dermabrasion

Back 92

Abrasion or rubbing using wire brushes or sandpaper. Performed to remove acne scars, tattoos, and scar tissue.

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laser therapy

Back 93

Removal of skin lesions and birthmarks using a laser beam that emits intense heat and power at close range. The laser converts frequencies of light into one small, powerful beam.

Front 94

liposuction

Back 94

Removal of fat beneath the skin by means of suction.

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rhytidectomy

Back 95

Surgical removal of excess skin to eliminate wrinkles. Commonly referred to as a face lift.

Front 96

anesthetics

Back 96

Action: Applied to the skin to deaden pain.

Generic and Brand Names: lidocaine, Xylocaine; procaine, Novocain

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antibiotics

Back 97

Action: Kill bacteria causing skin infectsion.

Generic and Brand Names: bacitracin/neomycin/polymixinB, Neosporin ointment

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antifungals

Back 98

Action: Kill fungie infecting the skin.

Generic and Brand Names: miconazole, Monistat; clotrimazole, Lotrimin

Front 99

antiparasitics

Back 99

Action: Kill mites or lice.

Generic and Brand Names: lindane, Kwell; permethrin, Nix

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antipruritics

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Action: Reduce severe itching

Generic and Brand Names: diphenhydramine, Benadryl; camphor/pramoxine/zinc, Caladryl

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antiseptics

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Action: Used to kill bacteria in skin cuts and wounds or at a surgical site.

Generic and Brand Names: isopropyl alcohol; hydrogen peroxide

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anti-virals

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Action: treats simplex infection

Generic and Brand Names: valacyclovir, Valtrex; famcyclovir, Famvir; acyclovir, Zovirax

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corticosteroid cream

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Action: Specific type of powerful anti-inflammatory cream.

Generic and Brand Names: hydrocortisone, Cortaid; triamcincolone, Kenalog

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BBC

Back 104

abbreviation for basal cell carcinoma

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BX, bx

Back 105

abbreviation for biopsy

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C&S

Back 106

abbreviation for culture and sensitivity

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decub

Back 107

abbreviation for decubitus ulcer

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Derm, derm

Back 108

abbreviation for dermatology

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FS

Back 109

abbreviation for frozen section

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HSV

Back 110

abbreviation for herpes simplex virus

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I&D

Back 111

abbreviation for incision and drainage

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ID

Back 112

abbreviation for intradermal

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MM

Back 113

abbreviation for malignant melanoma

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SCC

Back 114

abbreviation for squamous cell carcinoma

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SG

Back 115

abbreviation for skin graft

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SLE

Back 116

abbreviation for systemic lupus erythematosus

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STSG

Back 117

abbreviation for split-thickness skin graft

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subcu, SC, sc, subq

Back 118

abbreviation for subcutaneous

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UV

Back 119

abbreviation for ultraviolet