Medical Terminology: Lesson 3

• cutane/o, dermat/o, derm/o


  skin
• seb/o


  sebaceous glands
• hidr/o


  sweat glands
• pil/i, pil/o


  hair
• onych/o, ungu/o


  nails
• dermatologist


  a physician who specializes in diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin
• plastic surgeon


  a physician who specializes in the surgical restoration and reconstruction of body structures
• cosmetic surgeon


  plastic surgeon who performs operations for aesthetic rather than medical reasons
• acne vulgaris


  acne, a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pustular eruptions of the skin caused by an overproduction of sebum
• comedo o comedones


  a noninfected lesion formed by the buildup of sebum and keratin in a hair follicle, often associated with acne vulgaris
• anhidrosis


  abnormal condition of lacking sweat in response to heat
• hyperhidosis


  a condition of excessive sweating in one area or over the whole body
• folliculitis


  inflammation of the hair follicles
• trichomycosis axillaris


  superficial bacterial infection of the hair shafts in areas with extensive sweat glands, such as the armpits
• clubbing


  abnormal curving of the nails that is often accompanied by enlargement of the fingertips
• onychocryptosis


  ingrown nail, the edge of a toenail usually on the big toe, curve inward and cut into the skin
• albinism


  a genetic condition characterized by a deficiency or the absence of pigment in the skin, hair, and irises of the eyes
• chloasma


  melasma or mask of pregnancy; pigmentation disorder characterized by brownish spots on the face
• contusion


  injury to underlying tissues without breaking the skin and is characterized by discoloration and pain
• purpura


  the appearance of multiple purple discolorations on the skin caused by bleeding underneath the skin
• purulent


  producing or containing pus
• exudate


  fluid, such as pus, that leaks out of an infected wound
• pustule


  also known as a pimple, is a small circumscribed lesion containing pus
• bulla


  a large blister that is usually more than 0.5 cm in diameter
• abrasion


  injury in which superficial layers of skin are scraped or rubbed away
• pressure sore


  previously known as a decubitus ulcer or bedsore, is an open ulcerated wound that is caused by prolonged pressure on an area of skin.
• capillary hemongloma


  strawberry birth mark, a soft, raised, pink or red vascular birthmark
• psoriasis


  a common skin disorder characterized by flare-ups in which red papules covered with silvery scales occur on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, or buttocks
• xeroderma


  also known as xerosis, excessively dry skin
• pediculosis


  infestation with lice
• scabies


  skin infection caused by an infestation of itch mites
• keloid


  abnormal raised or thickened scar that expands beyond the boundaries of the original inclusion
• nevus


  also known as a mole, a small, dark, skin growth develops from melanocytes in the skin
• basal cell carcinoma


  malignant tumor of the basal cell layer of the epidermis
• squamous cell carcinoma


  originates as a malignant tumor of the scaly squamous cells of the epithelum; however, it can quickly spread to other body systems
• biopsy


  The removal of a small piece of tissue for examination
• incisional biopsy


  piece of tumor or lession is removed
• excisional biopsy


  removal of tumor or lesion and a margin of normal tissue
• cauterization


  destruction of tissue by burning
• cryosurgery


  elimination of abnormal tissue cells through the application of extreme cold by using liquid nitrogen