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Glossary
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N
O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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A |
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acne - a chronic disorder of the hair follicles and sebaceous glands. Acne is characterized by black heads, pimple outbreaks, cysts, infected abscesses, and (sometimes) scarring.
angioma - a benign tumor in the skin, made up of blood or lymph vessels. |
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B |
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basal cells - these cells are found in the outer layer of skin. Basal cells are responsible for producing the squamous cells in the skin.
basal cell carcinoma - the most common form of skin cancer, characterized by small, shiny, raised bumps on the skin that are fragile and often bleed.
birthmark - abnormality of the skin that is present at birth or shortly afterward.
biopsy - when a sample of tissue is removed and examined under a microscope.
blister - a fluid-filled bump.
boil - tender, swollen areas that form around hair follicles. |
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C |
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candidiasis (Also called yeast infection.) - a skin infection caused by yeast that can occur in the skin folds, the navel, vagina, penis, mouth, and nail beds.
carbuncles - clusters of boils on the skin.
cavernous hemangioma - a raised, red or purple mark in the skin, made up of enlarged blood vessels.
cellulitis - a bacterial infection of the skin that is characterized by swelling and tenderness.
cold sore - recurrent, small blisters around and in the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus.
collagen - a protein produced by skin cells that provide strength and resilience to the skin.
congenital - present at birth.
contact dermatitis - a rash or an inflammation of the skin caused by contact with various substances.
crust (Also called scab.) - a formation of dried blood, pus, or other skin fluid over a break in the skin.
cryosurgery - destruction of a lesion on the skin by freezing with liquid nitrogen.
cyst - a deep lesion that is filled with pus or other contents. |
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D |
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dermatitis - a number of skin conditions characterized by inflammation of the skin.
dermatofibroma - small, red or brown bumps in the skin.
dermis - the middle layer of skin, which is made up of blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles, and sweat glands.
dermoid cyst - a benign tumor made up of hairs, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands. |
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E |
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eczema - a skin disorder that is characterized by itching, scaling, thickening of the skin, and is usually located on the face, elbows, knees, and arms.
epidermis - the outer layer of skin, which is made up of the horny layer, squamous cells, and basal cells.
erythema nodosum - a skin condition, characterized by red bumps that usually appear on the shins.
erythrasma - a skin infection of the top layer of skin characterized by irregular pink patches that turn to brown scales.
exanthem - a rash.
excoriation - an area of the skin covered by a crust, or scab, usually caused by scratching. |
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F |
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folliculitis - an inflammation of the hair follicles due to an infection or irritation.
freckles - darkened, flat spots that typically appear only on sun-exposed areas of skin. |
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G |
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granuloma annulare - a chronic skin condition characterized by small, raised bumps that form a ring with a normal or sunken center. |
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H |
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herpes zoster (Also called shingles.) - a common viral infection of the nerves, characterized by a painful skin rash of small blisters anywhere on the body. It is a reactivation of chickenpox virus.
hives - see urticaria. |
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I |
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immune system - a collection of cells and proteins that works to protect the body from potentially harmful, infectious microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
immunocompromised - an abnormal condition where one's ability to fight infection is decreased. This can be due to a disease process, certain medications, or a condition present at birth.
impetigo - a bacterial skin infection characterized by microscopic pus-filled blisters.
inflammation - redness, swelling, heat, and pain in a tissue due to chemical or physical injury, infection, or allergic reaction. |
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J |
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K |
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keloids - smooth, pink, raised, firm, fibrous growths on the skin that form secondary to injury.
kerion - a large inflamed tender lesion that is a complication of ringworm of the scalp.
keratinocytes (Also called squamous cells.) - these are the primary cell types found in the epidermis - the outer layer of skin.
keratosis pilaris - a common skin condition characterized by small, pointed bumps especially on the back and sides of the upper arms. |
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L |
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lice - tiny parasites that can infest the skin; characterized by intense itching.
lichenification - skin that has thickened.
lipomas - round or oval lumps under the skin caused by fatty deposits.
lymphangioma - a raised, yellow-tan or red mark in the skin made up of enlarged lymphatic vessels. |
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M |
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macular stains (Also called angel's kisses or stork bites.) - faint, red marks that appear in the skin at birth. Angel's kisses are marks on the forehead and eyelids. Stork bites are marks on the back of the neck.
macule - the smaller version of a patch - a flat discolored spot.
malignant melanoma - a rare, but sometimes deadly, skin cancer that begins as a mole that turns cancerous.
melanocytes - cells present in the epidermis that produce melanin (skin pigment).
melasma - dark, brown, symmetrical patches of pigment on the face.
meningitis - an inflammation of the covering of the brain and spinal cord.
moles - small skin marks caused by pigment-producing cells in the skin.
Mongolian spots - Bluish-black marks on the lower back and buttocks; affects mainly African-American or Asian children. |
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N |
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nodule (Also called papule.) - a solid, raised bump. |
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O |
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P |
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paronychia - a skin infection around a finger or toenail.
patch - a flat, discolored spot.
pityriasis rosea - a common skin condition characterized by scaly, pink, and inflamed skin.
port-wine stains (Also called nevi flammeus.) - permanent flat, pink, red, or purple marks on the skin.
prickly heat - a rash caused by trapped sweat under the skin.
psoriasis - a chronic skin condition characterized by inflamed, red, raised areas that develop silvery scales.
pustule (Also called pimple.) - inflamed lesions that look like pink bumps.
pyogenic granuloma - red, brown, or bluish-black raised marks caused by excessive growth of capillaries. |
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Q |
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R |
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ringworm - a fungal skin infection characterized by ring-shaped, red, scaly, or blistery patches.
rosacea - a common facial skin condition characterized by redness, pimples, and broken blood vessels. |
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S |
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salicylic acid - a keratolytic drug (a drug that removes the outer layer of skin) that is used to treat various skin conditions.
scabies - an infestation of mites in the skin characterized by small pimples that itch.
scales - dead skin cells that look like flakes or dry skin.
scar - fibrous tissue that has formed after a skin injury.
sebaceous glands - glands in the skin that secrete oil to the surface of the skin.
seborrheic keratosis - flesh-colored, yellow, brown, or black wart-like spots.
skin tags - soft, small, flesh-colored skin flaps on the neck, armpits, or groin.
spider angioma - a bright red mark with a distinct dark spot in the skin.
squamous cells - see keratinocytes.
squamous cell carcinoma - a form of skin cancer that affects about 20 percent of patients with skin cancer. This highly treatable cancer is characterized by red, scaly skin that becomes an open sore.
subcutis - the deepest layer of skin; consists of collagen and fat cells. |
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T |
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tinea versicolor - a common fungal skin infection characterized by white or light brown patches on the skin.
thrush - a fungal infection of the mouth that usually causes a white coating on the tongue, cheeks or throat.
toxic epidermal necrolysis - a life-threatening skin disorder characterized by blistering and peeling of the top layer of skin.
tretinoin - a drug which is chemically related to vitamin A; used to treat acne and other scaly skin disorders. |
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U |
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urticaria (Also called hives.) - a condition in which red, itchy, and swollen areas appear on the skin - usually as an allergic reaction from eating certain foods or taking certain medications.
urushiol - resin in poison ivy plants that causes an allergic skin reaction. |
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V |
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vitiligo - smooth, white patches in the skin caused by the loss of pigment-producing cells. |
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W |
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wart - a noncancerous skin growth caused by a virus. |
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X |
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Y |
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Z |
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