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Chapter 10: Glossary
Skin, Hair, and Nails
Alopecia Alopecia is hair loss due to heredity, emotional crisis, stress, chemotherapy, or
autoimmune diseases.
Anemia Anemia refers to a reduced number of red blood cells. Individuals who are anemic may
appear cyanotic.
Cherry angiomas Cherry angiomas are bright red, circumscribed lesions that may be flat or
raised. These lesions are most commonly found on the trunk.
Cyanotic Cyanotic describes a blue discoloration of the skin, nail bed, or tissue caused by a
decrease in the oxygen content of blood.
Dermis The dermis is the second layer of the skin. It has two layers: the papillary layer, which is
composed of capillaries, connective tissue, and elastin fibers; and the reticular layer, which contains
nerves and lymphatic tissue.
Desquamation Desquamation is the shedding of skin cells.
Ecchymosis Ecchymosis is a reddish-purple discoloration of varying size. It is also known as a
bruise.
Edema Edema is the accumulation of fluid in the intercellular spaces.
Epidermis The epidermis, the outermost covering of the skin, is composed of four layers. The
basal cell layer is the stratum germinativum. The stratum corneum is the horny layer of the
epidermis, which contains keratin.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
First-degree burn A first-degree burn damages the epidermis and possibly the dermis, leaving
the hair follicles and sweat glands intact. The skin will be red, dry, and painful.
Fourth-degree burn A fourth-degree burn destroys the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, sweat
glands, and nerve endings. The subcutaneous tissue, muscle, and bone may be injured. The skin is
white, black, red, or brown and may have exposed subcutaneous tissue, muscle, or bone. Fourthdegree burns are painless due to the destruction of nerve endings.
Hirsutism Hirsutism is a state of excessive body hair.
Hyperthermia Hyperthermia is a generalized or localized warming of the skin.
Hypothermia Hypothermia is a generalized or localized cooling of the skin.
Jaundice Jaundice is a yellow-green to orange cast of the skin, sclera, mucous membranes,
fingernails, and palmar or plantar surfaces. Jaundice is abnormal and may indicate liver disease or
elevated bilirubin levels.
Lesion A lesion is a circumscribed pathological change in the tissues.
Melanocytes Melanocytes are cells located at the base of each hair follicle that produce hair color.
Nail bed The nail bed is located beneath the nail plate and serves as the vascular bed.
Petechiae Petechiae are reddish-purple discolorations that are less than 0.5 cm in diameter and
found on the skin's surface.
Purpura Purpura is a condition characterized by the presence of confluent petechiae or
ecchymosis over any part of the body.
Rash A rash is a cutaneous eruption that may be localized or generalized.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Sebaceous glands Sebaceous glands produce sebum and are located everywhere in the dermis
except for the palmar and plantar surfaces.
Second-degree burn A second-degree burn destroys the epidermis and dermis, leaving the hair
follicles, sweat glands, and nerve endings intact. Second-degree burns may also be called partialthickness burns. The skin will be red, blistery, and painful.
Senile lentigo Senile lentigo (liver spots) develops when the melanocytes are unable to produce
an even pigmentation of the skin.
Spider angiomas Spider angiomas are bright red, star-shaped lesions commonly found on the
face, neck, and chest.
Subcutaneous tissue Subcutaneous tissue is composed of connective or adipose tissue. It serves
as a temperature insulator and stores fat.
Sweat glands There are two types of sweat glands, apocrine and eccrine. Apocrine glands are
associated with hair follicles and are primarily found in the axillae, nipples, and genital and rectal
areas. Eccrine glands open directly onto the skin's surface and are located throughout the body.
Third-degree burn A third-degree burn destroys the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles, sweat
glands, and nerve endings. The subcutaneous tissue may be injured. The skin will be white, red,
black, brown, or tan and will be painless. Third-degree burns may also be called full-thickness
burns.
Turgor Turgor is the elasticity of the skin, which directly reflects the skin's hydration.
Venous stars Venous stars are linearly or irregularly shaped blue vascular patterns that do not
blanch. They are commonly found on the legs or the anterior chest.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Xerosis Xerosis is the condition in which the skin is excessively dry and the stratum corneum may
be flaky.
Copyright © 2010 by Delmar, Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.