Term
Primary Skin Lesions
cyst |
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Definition
| Nodule filled with a semisolid material, such as a keratinous or sebaceous cyst. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
ec/chym/osis |
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Definition
| Hemorrhage or extravasation (leaking) of blood into the subcutaneous tissue. The resultant darkening is commonly described as a bruise. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
hemat/oma |
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Definition
| Collection of extravasated blood trapped in the tissues and palpable to the examiner, such as on the ear. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
macule |
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Definition
| Flat blemish or discoloration less than 1cm, such as a freckle, port-wine stain, or tattoo. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
nod/ule |
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Definition
| Palpable, solid lesion less than 2cm, such as a very small lipoma. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
papule |
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Definition
| Raised solid skin lesion raised less than 1cm, such as a pimple. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
patch |
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Definition
| Large, flat, nonpalpable macule, larger than 1cm. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
petechia |
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Definition
| Tiny ecchymosis within the dermal layer. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
plaque |
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Definition
| Raised plateuaulike papule greater than 1cm, such as a psoriatic lesion or seborrheic kenatosis. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
purpur/a |
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Definition
| Massive hemorrhage into the tissues under the skin. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
pustule |
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Definition
| Superficial, elevated lesion containing pus that may be the result of an infection, such as acne. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
tel/angi/ectasia |
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Definition
| Permanent dilation of groups of superficial campillaries and venules. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
tumor |
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Definition
| Nodule more than 2cm; any mass or swelling, including neoplasms. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
vesicle |
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Definition
| Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing fluid and smaller than 1/2cm, such as an insect bite. If larger than 1/2cm, it is termed a bulla. Commonly called a blister. |
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Term
Primary Skin Lesions
wheal |
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Definition
| Circumscribed, elevated papule caused by localized edema, which can result from a bug bite. Urticaria, or hives, results from an allergic reaction. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
a/troph/y |
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Definition
| Paper-thin, wasted skin often occurring in the aged or as stretch marks from rapid weight gain. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
cicatrix |
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Definition
| A scar--an area of fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin often destruction of some of the dermis. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
eschar |
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Definition
| Dried serum, blood, and/or pus. May occur in inflammatory and infectious diseases, such as impetigo, or as the result of a burn. Also called a scab. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
fissure |
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Definition
| Crack-like lesion of the skin, such as an anal fissure. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
keloid |
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Definition
| Type of scar that is an overgrowth of tissue at the site of injury in excess of the amount of tissue necessary to repair the wound. The extra tissue is partially due to an accumulation of collagen at the site. |
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Term
| Secondary Skin Lesions
ulcer |
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Definition
| Circumscribed crater-like lesion of the skin or mucous membrane resulting from necrosis, or tissue death, that can accompany an inflammatory, infectious, or malignant process. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
a/top/ic dermat/itis |
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Definition
| Chronic, pruritic superficial inflammation of the skin usually associated with a family history of allergic disorders. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
cellul/itis |
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Definition
| Diffuse, spreading, acute inflammation within solid tissues. Most common cause: Streptococcus pyrogenes. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
contact dermat/itis |
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Definition
| Irritated or allergic response of the skin that can lead to an acute or chronic inflammation. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
eczema |
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Definition
| Superficial inflammation of the skin, characterized by vesicles, weeping, and pruritis. Also called dermatitis. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
follicul/itis |
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Definition
| Inflammation of the hair follicles, whihc may be superficial or deep, acute or chronic. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
furuncle |
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Definition
| Localized, suppurative staphylococcal skin infection originating in a gland or hair follicle and characterized by pain, redness, and swelling. If two or more furuncles are connected by subcutaneous pockets, it is termed a carbuncle. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
impetigo |
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Definition
| Superficial vesiculopustular skin infection normally seen in children, but possible in adults. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
pil/o/nid/al cyst |
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Definition
| Growth of hair in a cyst in the sacral region. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
impetigo |
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Definition
| Superficial vesiculopustular skin infection normally seen in children, but possible in adults. |
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Term
| Dermatitis and Bacterial Infections
seb/o/rrheic dermat/itis |
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Definition
| Inflammatory scaling disease of the scalp and face> In new-borns, this is known as cradle cap. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
candidiasis |
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Definition
| yeast infection in moist, occluded areas of the skin (armpits, inner thighs, underneath pendulous breasts) and mucous membranes. Also called moniliasis. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
dermat/o/myc/osis |
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Definition
| Fungal infection of the skin. Also called dermatophytosis. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
tinea capit/is |
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Definition
| Fungal infection of the scalp; also known as ringworm. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
tinea corpor/is |
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Definition
| Ringworm of the body, manifested by pink to red papulosquamous annular (ringlike) plaques with raised borders; also known ringworm. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
tinea crur/is |
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Definition
| A fungal infection that occurs mainly on external genitalia and upper legs in males, particularly in warm weather; also known as jock itch. |
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Term
| Yeast and Fungal Infections
tinea ped/is |
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Definition
| Fungal infection of the foot; also known as athlete's foot. |
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Term
| Parasitic Infestations
pedicul/osis |
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Definition
| Parasitic infestation with lice, involving the head, body, or genital area. |
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Term
| Parasitic Infestations
scabies |
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Definition
| Parasitic infestation caused by mites; characterized by pruritic papular rash. |
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Term
| Viral Infections
exanthemat/ous diseases |
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Definition
| Generally, viral diseases characterized by a specific type of rash (exanthem). |
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Term
| Viral Infections
herpes simplex virus (HSV) |
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Definition
| Viral infection characterized by clusters of small vesicles filled with clear fluid on raised inflammatory bases on the skin or mucosa. HSV-1 causes fever blisters (herpetic stomatitiskeratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. HSV-2 is more commonly known as genital herpes. |
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Term
| Viral Infections
herpes zoster |
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Definition
| Acute, painful rash caused by reactivation of the latent varicella-zoster virus. Also known as shingles. |
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Term
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Definition
| Common, contagious epithelial growths usually appearing on the skin of the hands, feet, legs, and face; can be caused by any of the 60 types of the human papillomavirus (HVP). Also called warts. |
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Term
| Disorders of Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands
acne vulgar/is |
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Definition
| Inflammatory disease of the sebaceous glands characterized by papules, pustules, inflamed nodules,and comedones, which are plugs of sebum that partially or completely block a pore. Blackheads are open comedones, and whiteheads are closed comedones. |
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Term
| Disorders of Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands
alopecia |
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Definition
| Hair loss, resulting from genetic factors, aging, or disease. |
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Term
| Disorders of Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands
hyper/trich/osis |
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Definition
| Abnormal excess of hair; also known as hirsutism. |
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Term
| Disorders of Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands
kerat/in/ous cyst |
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Definition
| Benign cavity lined by keratinizing epithelium and filled with sebum and epithelial debris. Also called a sebaceous cyst. |
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Term
| Disorders of Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands
milia |
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Definition
| Tiny superficial keratinous cysts caused by clogged oil ducts. |
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Term
| Scaling Papular Diseases
psoriasis |
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Definition
| Common chronic skin disorder characterized by circumscribed, salmon-red patches covered by thick, dry, silvery scales that are the result of excessive development of epithelial cells. |
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Term
| Cornification and Pressure Injuries
callus |
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Definition
| Common painless thickening of the stratum corneum locations of external pressure or friction. |
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Term
| Cornification and Pressure Injuries
corn |
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Definition
| Horny mass of condensed epithelial cells overlying a bony prominence as the result of pressure or friction; also referred to as a clavus. |
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Term
| Cornification and Pressure Injuries
decubitus ulcer |
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Definition
| Inflammation, ulcer, or sore in the skin over a bony prominence. Most often seen in aged, debilitated, cachectic (wasted), or immobilized patients; pressur esores or ulcers are graded by stages of severity. The highest stage, stage 6, involves muscles, fat, and bone. Also known as a bedsore, pressure ulcer, or pressure sore. |
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Term
| Cornification and Pressure Injuries
ichthy/osis |
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Definition
| Category of dry skin that has the scaly appearance of a fish. It ranges from mild to severe. The mild form is known as xeroderma. |
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Term
| Pigmentation Disorders
albin/ism |
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Definition
| Complete lack of melanin production by existing melanocytes, resulting in pale skin, white hair, and pink irides. |
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Term
| Pigmentation Disorders
dis/chrom/ia |
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Definition
| Abnormality of skin pigmentation. Hyperchromia is abnormally increased pigmentation. Hypochromia is abnormally decreased pigmentation. |
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Term
| Pigmentation Disorders
vitiligo |
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Definition
| Benign acquired disease of unknown origin, consisting of irregular patches of various sizes lacking in pigment. |
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Term
| Disorders of Sweating
an/hidr/osis |
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Definition
| A condition in which a person produces little or no sweat. |
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Term
| Disorders of Sweating
hidraden/itis |
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Definition
| Inflammation of the sweat glands. |
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Term
| Disorders of Sweating
hyper/hydro/osis |
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Definition
| Excessive perspiration caused by heat, strong emotion, menopause, hyperthyroidism, or infection. |
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Term
| Disorders of Sweating
miliaria |
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Definition
| Minute vesicles and papules, often with surrounding erythema |
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
anych/ia |
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Definition
| Inflammation of the fingernail. Also called onychitis. |
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
anchy/o/hidden/osis |
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Definition
| Abnormal condition of hidden (ingrown) nail. |
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
anych.lysis |
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Definition
| Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. |
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
anych/malacia |
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Definition
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
anych/o/myc/osis |
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Definition
| Abnormal condition of nail fungus. Also called tinea unguium. |
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Term
| Disorders of the Nails
par/onych/ia |
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Definition
| Infection of the skin beside the nail. |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Groths
angi/oma |
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Definition
| Localized vascular lesion that includes hemagiomas, vascular nevi, and lymphangiomas. |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Growths
dermat/o/fibr/oma |
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Definition
| Fibrous tumor of the skin that is painless, round, firm, and usually found on the extremities. |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Growths
dys/plast/ic nev/us |
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Definition
| A nevus is a pigmented lesion often present at birth. It is also called a mole. Various abnormal changes of a pigmented congenital skin blemish give rise to concern for progression to malignancy. Chnges of concern are categorized as ABCDE.
asymmetry
borders, irregular
colors, changes or uneven pigmentation
diameter, increasing size or >6 mm
elevation |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Growths
lip/oma |
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Definition
| Fatty tumor that is a soft, movable, subcutaneous nodule. |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Growths
seb/rrheic kerat/osis |
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Definition
| Benign, circumscribed, pigmented, superficial warty skin lesion. An actinic keratosis is a lesion caused by sun exposure. |
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Term
| Benign (Noncancerous) Skin Growths
skin tags |
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Definition
| Small, soft, pedunculated (with a stalk) lesions that are harmless outgrowths of epidermal and dermal tissue, usually occurring on the neck, eyelids, armpits, and groin; usually occur in multiples. Also known as acrochorndons. |
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Term
| Malignant Neoplasms
bas/al cell carcinoma |
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Definition
| The most common form of skin cancer, it originates in the basal layer of the epidermis. It usually occurs on the face as a result of sun exposure and rarely metastasizes (spreads to distant sites). |
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Term
| Malignant Neoplasms
Kaposi sarcoma |
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Definition
| A rare form of skin cancer that takes the form of red/blue/brown/purple nodules, usually on the extremities. One form appears most often in patients with deficient immune systems. |
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Term
| Malignant Neoplasms
malignant melan/oma |
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Definition
| The cancerous tumor arises from mutated melanocytes. This particular cancer is the leading cause of death from all skin diseases. |
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Term
| Malignant Neoplasms
squam/ous cell carcinoma (SCC) |
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Definition
| The second most common type of skin cancer, also caused by sun exposure, but developing from squamous cells. |
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Term
| Biopsies
excisional biopsy |
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Definition
| Biopsy in which the entire tumor may be removed with borders as a means of diagnosis and treatment. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Scarping or shaving off samples of friable (easily crushed) lesions for a laboratory examination called exfoliative cytology. |
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Term
| Biopsies
incisional biopsy |
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Definition
| Biopsy in which larger tissue samples may be obtained by excising a wedge of tissue and suturing the incision. |
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Term
| Biopsies
needle aspiration |
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Definition
| Aspiration of fluid from lesions to obtain samples for culture and examination. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Biopsy in which a tubular punch is inserted through to the subcutaneous tissue, and the tissue is cut off at the base. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
bacterial analyses |
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Definition
| Culture and serology of lesions to help diagnose such disorders as impetigo. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
fungal tests |
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Definition
| Cultures of scrapings of lesions used fungal infections, such as tinea pedis, tinea capitis, and tinea cruris. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
sweat tests |
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Definition
| Laboratory test for abnormally high levels of sodium and chloride present in the perspiration of persons with cystic fibrosis. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
tuberculosis (TB) skin tests |
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Definition
| Intradermal test using purified protein derivative (PPD) to test for either dormant or active tuberculosis; much more accurate test than the multiple puncture tine test, which had been used for screening purposes. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
Tzanck test |
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Definition
| Microscopic examination of lesions for the purpose of diagnosing herpes zoster and herpes simplax. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
viral culture |
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Definition
| Sampling of vesicular fluid for the purpose of identifying viruses. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
Wood's light examination |
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Definition
| Method used to identify a variety of skin infections through the use of a Wood's lamp, which produces ultraviolet light; tinea capitis and pseudomonas infections in burns are two of the disorders it can reveal. |
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Term
| Laboratory Tests
wound and abscess cultures |
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Definition
| Lab samplings that can identify pathogens in wounds, such as diabetic or decubitus ulcers, postoperative wounds, abscesses. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
allograft |
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Definition
| Harvest of skin from another human donor for temporary transplant until an autograft is available. Also called a homograft. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
autograft |
|
Definition
| Harvest of the patient's own skin for transplant. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
dermat/tome |
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Definition
| Instrument used to remove split-skin grafts. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
flap |
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Definition
| Section of skin transferred from one location to an immediately adjacent one. Also called a skin graft. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
laser therapy |
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Definition
| Procedure to repair or destroy tissue, particularly in the removal of tattoos, warts, port-wine stains, and psoriatic lesions. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
occlus/ive therapy |
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Definition
| Use of a nonporous occlusive dressing to cover a treated area to enhance the absorption and effectiveness of a medication; used to treat psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, and chronic hand dermatitis. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
Psoralen plus ultraviolet A (PUVA) therapy |
|
Definition
| Directing a type of ultraviolet light (UV) onto psoriatic lesions. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
skin grafting (SG) |
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Definition
| Skin transplant performed when normal skin cover has been lost as a result of burns, ulcers, or operations to remove cancerous tissue. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
full-thickness graft |
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Definition
| Free skin graft in which full portions of both the epidermis and the dermis are used. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
split-thickness skin graft (STSG) |
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Definition
| Skin graft in which the epidermis and parts of the dermis are used. |
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Term
| Grafting Techniques and Other Therapies
xenograft |
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Definition
| Temporary skin graft from another species, often a pig, used until an autograft is available. Also called a heterograft. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
cauter/i/zation |
|
Definition
| Destruction of tissue by burning with heat. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
cryosurgery |
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Definition
| Destruction of tissue through the use of extreme cold, usually liquid nitrogen. |
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Term
|
Definition
| Scraping of material from the wall of a cavity or other surface to obtain tissue for microscopic examination; this is done with an instrument called a curette. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
débridement |
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Definition
| First step in wound treatment, involving removal of dirt, foreign bodies (FB), damaged tissue, and cellular debris from the wound or burn to prevent infection and to promote healing. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
eschar/tomy |
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Definition
| Surgical incision into necrotic tissue resulting from a severe burn. This may be necessary to prevent edema leading to ischemia (loss of blood flow) in underlying tissue. |
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|
Term
| Tissue Removal
incision and drainage (I&D) |
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Definition
| Cutting open and removing the contents of a wound, cyst, or other lesion. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
Mohs surgery |
|
Definition
| Repeated removal and microscopic examination of layers of a tumor until no cancerous cells are present. |
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Term
| Tissue Removal
shaving (paring) |
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Definition
| Slicing of thin sheets of tissue to remove lesions. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
blephar/plasty |
|
Definition
| Surgical repair of the eyelid. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
chemical peel |
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Definition
| Use of a mild acid to produce a superficial burn; normally done to remove wrinkles. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
derm/abrasion |
|
Definition
| Surgical procedure to resurface the skin; used to remove acne scars, nevi, wrinkles, and tattoos. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedure
dermat/o/plasty |
|
Definition
| Transplant of living skin to correct effects of injury, operation, or disease. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
lip/ectomy |
|
Definition
|
|
Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
liposuction |
|
Definition
| Technique for removing adipose tissue with a suction pump device. |
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Term
| Cosmetic Procedures
rhytid/ectomy |
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Definition
| Surgical operation to remove wrinkles. Commonly known as a "face-lift." |
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