THE INTEGUMENTARY

SYSTEM - ACNE
Marita Beatriz Quispe Cisneros
mquispec@usmp.pe
MEDICAL ENGLISH
SESSION n.̊̊̊̊ 7
 GLOSSARY
STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS
Apocrine sweat gland Type of sweat gland that is associated with hairs follicles
that secretes at the groin, armpits and anal region.
Dermis Layer of the skin directly below the epidermis which
contains blood vessels (capillaries), nerve endings,
sebaceous glands, hair follicles, elastic fibers,
collagenous fibers, involuntary muscles, lymph vessels,
and swear glands.
Eccrine sweat glands They are sudoriferous (sweat) glands that secrete at the
palms of the hand, feet, forehead and upper lip.
Epidermis The top layer of the skin. It does not have blood vessels
and does not contain nerve endings.
Hair Filament of keratin that grows from a follicle root and
covers most of the body.
Hair follicle Opening into the dermis which the hair shaft develops
Keratin Fibrous protein that is the primary component of the
epidermis, hair, and nails.
 GLOSSARY

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS

Melanin Black or dark brown pigment of skin or hair.
Melanocytes Cell that produces the dark pigment melanin.
Sebum Oily secretion from the sebaceous gland that keeps the
skin and hair from drying out.
Stratum corneum Outer layer of the epidermis composed of dead skin cells
that flake away.
Stratum lucidum Layer of the epidermis between the stratum granulosum
and stratum corneum, found only in thick skin covering
the palms, soles of the feet, and digits.
Vitamin D Compound that aids absorption of calcium and
phosphates in the intestine to improve bone health.
 GLOSSARY
PROCEDURES
Cryosurgery Surgery that uses subfreezing temperatures to destroy
tissue. This procedure can be used to treat cancers or
lesion of the skin.
Electrodesiccation Technique which destroys tissue by burning it with an
electric spark.
Facelift Surgery in which the skin of the face is tightened and
wrinkles and other signs of aging of the skin are
eliminated.
Phototherapy Treatment of a disorder using light. Phototherapy can be
used to treat skin conditions.
Punch biopsy Removal of living tissue for examination.
Skin graft A skin graft is when a portion of the skin is implanted to
cover another area where the skin has been lost.
 GLOSSARY
SKIN LESIONS, DISEASES, AND CONDITIONS
Acne Disorder of the sebaceous glands and hair follicles in
which pimples, cysts are infected or abscesses occur.
Alopecia Lack of hair due to conditions such as normal aging, skin
disorders, anticancer medications, or endocrine
disorders.
Birthmarks Flat areas of discoloration on the skin that are usually
brown or tan.
Carbuncle Large area of staphylococcal infection appearing as
clusters of deep abscesses.
Carcinoma Malignant neoplasm composed of epithelial cells that
invade surrounding tissue and metastasize to different
areas of the body
Cellulitis Bacterial infection of the skin that is localized and
characterized by heat, swelling, pain and other signs of
inflammation.
Cyst A closed pouch under the skin that contains a fluid or a
semisolid substance.
 GLOSSARY
SKIN LESIONS, DISEASES, AND CONDITIONS
Ecchymosis An area of bluish discoloration on the skin caused by the
spilling of blood into the subcutaneous tissue caused by
some type of trauma to the area. Also known as bruise.
Eczema A dermatitis of unknown cause.
Erythema A reddish color to the skin. This occurs when there is a
rush of blood to the surface of the skin. Erythema is
usually associated with a fever or some type of localized
inflammation.
Folliculitis Inflammation of the hair follicle.
Freckle Patches of melanin pigmentation that occur normally or
when the skin is exposed to the sun in some patients.
Furuncle Staphylococcal infection that originates from the hair
follicle.
Herpes simplex Infection that is caused by the herpes simplex virus that
affects the skin and nervous system.
 GLOSSARY
SKIN LESIONS, DISEASES, AND CONDITIONS
Keloid An overgrowth of scar tissue after an injury or surgery.
Macule A discoloration of the skin that is flat and level with the skin.
Melanoma Malignant tumor of the skin that is composed of melanocytes.
Mole Moles are an excessive growth of melanocytes. They are usually
small, smooth and symmetrical.
Nodule A small node-like structure that is solid and elevated.
Papule Skin lesion that is small, solid and raised caused by thickening of
the epidermis.
Pruritus Itchy skin.
Psoriasis Skin disorder that is chronic and is characterized by red patchy
areas that is also covered by a dry silvery scale.
Pustule Small elevation on the skin that contains pus, a creamy viscous
fluid.
Scale A thin flake of epithelium that has keratinized.
 GLOSSARY
SKIN LESIONS, DISEASES, AND CONDITIONS
Scar tissue Skin that is replaced by collagen fibers that do not contain any
accessory organs that the layers of the skin normally contain.
Seborrhea Overproduction of sebum which causes excessive oiliness.
Ulcer Crater in the skin as a result of necrosis. An ulcer can be shallow
or deep and can be accompanied by an infection or inflammation.
Urticaria Skin eruption that has wheals of various shapes that have red
margins and a pale center.
Vesicle A small bladder or blister that contains a clear fluid.
Vitiligo Skin disease of unknown caused that is benign and characterized
by irregular patches of skin that lack pigment.
Wheal Area of the skin that is slightly raised and appears either redder or
paler than the surrounding skin
Sources of information
• https://nursecepts.com/medical-terminology-of-the-
integumentary-system/.