Abscess

An enclosed collection of pus in tissues, organs, or confined spaces in the body.

Adipocyte

Fat cell.

Adipose tissue

Fat tissue.

Autonomic

Involuntary or unconscious.

Avascular

Without blood vessels.

Bacteria

Single-cell microorganisms that reproduce by cell division and may cause infection by invading body tissue.

Benign

Non-cancerous.

Biopsy

The removal of cells or tissues for examination by a pathologist.

Cancer

Abnormal cells in the body that divide uncontrollably.

Cauterize

To destroy tissue using a hot or cold instrument, an electrical current, or a chemical that burns or dissolves the tissue to kill tumors or stop bleeding.

Cellulitis

An infection of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, characterized by tenderness, fever, and blisters.

Contusion

Injury resulting in a bruise.

Cyanosis

A condition in which the oxygen supply is restricted, causing the skin to look blue.

Cyst

Closed sac containing fluid or semisolid material.

Debridement

Excision of damaged tissues and cell debris from a wound or burn to prevent infection and promote healing.

Dehydration

A net loss of water that results in insufficient water in blood and other tissues.

Dermabrasion

A procedure to remove superficial scars using sandpaper or revolving wire brushes.

Dermatitis

Inflammation of the skin.

Dermatofibroma

Fibrous tumor of the skin.

Dermatologist

Medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating skin disorders.

Dermatology

Study of disorders of the skin.

Dermis

The layer of skin that is made of dense, irregular connective tissue that houses blood vessels, hair follicles, sweat glands, and other structures.

Diaphoresis

Sweating.

Eczema

Non-infectious, inflammatory disease presenting as redness, blisters, scabs, and itching.

Edema

Swelling due to excessive liquid in the tissues.

Epidermis

The outer, protective layer of the skin.

Excisional skin surgery

A surgical procedure used to remove moles, cysts, skin cancer, and other skin growths using local anesthesia.

Exocytosis

A form of active transport in which a cell exports material using vesicular transport.

Fascia

Fibrous tissue.

Frostbite

A condition in which conservation of the body core heat results in the skin freezing.

Gangrene

Death of tissue due to blood supply loss.

Hidradenitis

Inflammation of a sweat gland.

Hypodermis

Also known as the subcutaneous layer; the layer of the skin below the dermis that is composed mainly of loose connective and fatty tissues.

Incision

A cut made in the body to perform surgery.

Infection

The invasion and growth of bacteria, viruses, yeast, fungi, or other microorganisms in the body.

Intradermal

Within the skin.

Intravenous

Into or within the vein.

Jaundiced

Yellow-colored.

Keloid

A raised or hypertrophic scar.

Keratinocytes

Cells that manufacture and store the protein keratin.

Keratosis

Any growth of horny tissue.

Laceration

Torn, ragged-edged wound.

Lesion

An area of abnormal tissue.

Meissner corpuscle

A specialized sensory nerve structure that responds to light touch.

Melanocyte

A cell that produces the pigment melanin.

Metastasis

The process in which cancer spreads from one part of the body to another.

Necrosis

Accidental cell death.

Nevus

A benign growth on the skin that is formed by a cluster of melanocytes.

Nodule

A growth or lump that may be malignant or benign.

Onychocryptosis

An ingrown nail.

Onychomycosis

A fungal infection of the nail.

Onychophagia

Nail-biting.

Osteomalacia

A softening of adult bones due to Vitamin D deficiency.

Pacinian corpuscle

A specialized sensory nerve structure that responds to vibration.

Pallor

Unnatural paleness of the skin.

Paronychia

Infection of the skin around the nail.

Pathogen

An organism that causes a disease.

Percutaneous

Passing through the skin, as an injection or a topical medicine.

Phagocytes

Cells that engulf and absorb bacteria and cell particles.

Pruritus

Itching.

Reticulated

Net like.

Rhytidoplasty

Excision of wrinkles of the skin.

Rickets

A painful condition in children where bones are misshapen due to a lack of calcium, causing bow-leggedness.

Scar

A collagen-rich skin formed after the process of wound healing that differs from normal skin.

Staphylococcus aureus

A bacteria that is commonly found in minor skin infections, as well as in the nose of some healthy people.

Stratum basale

The deepest layer of the epidermis.

Streptococcus

The bacteria that causes strep throat.

Subcutaneous

Beneath the skin.

Sympathetic nervous system

The division of the nervous system involved in our fight-or-flight responses. It continuously monitors body temperature and initiates appropriate motor responses.

Tinea

A group of fungal skin diseases of the hair, skin, and nail tissues.

Transdermal

Absorbed through the unbroken skin.

Vascularized

Tissue that has numerous blood vessels.

Virus

A simple microorganism that may cause infection by invading body tissue.