INTEGUMENTARY SYSTEM: COMBINING

FORMS + STATING TERMSMeghan Cochran

BIO120: Medical Terminology: Rashidah Abdullah

11 September 2009

DERMATITIS: INFLAMMATION OF THE SKIN

“Dermatitis” is an all-encompassing term for any inflammation of the skin, primarily including:

Eczema Psoriasis Contact

Dermatitis Urticaria

ECZEMA IS ONE OF THE MORE COMMONLY SEEN FORMS OF DERMATITIS:

Most often seen in children (infant-5 years old), although it can affect people of any age.

Results in oozing (“weeping”) lesions on the skin and profuse itching.

Must be diagnosed by a dermatologist. It is typically treated with corticosteroid creams.

CONTACT DERMATITIS, CONT.Contact dermatitis is a commonly

incurred work injury, especially in developed countries such as the United States. It is usually a result of exposure to chemicals such as tar, acids or bases, detergents, and industrial compounds. Symptoms include:

Red, itchy skin Welts, blisters, or “wheals”

(reddened, raised circles with white centers

Dry, flaky, and cracked skin Allergic reactions

Diagnosis of the various forms of contact dermatitis is done via a “patch test” administered by a dermatologist. This is necessary because the various forms look similar and may be difficult to accurately diagnose.

MELANOMA: “BLACK TUMOR”

Melanoma is a relatively rarely occurring, but highly deadly, cancer of the skin. It is resistant to chemotherapy or other standard cancer treatments.

Melanoma derives its name from appearance; it forms as a dark brown, spreading patch that darkens over time.

The American Health Association recommends that people who spend a lot of time tanning or in the sun check their skin often for potentially cancerous melanoma spots. In warm sunny countries, such as Australia, it is recommended that children wear sun hats until the age of 18 to protect their skin.

MELANOMA, CONT. Early detection of spots is the most

definitive way to survive melanoma. The AHA recommends the “ABCD” method:

A: Asymmetry: the two halves of the mole are differently shaped.

B: Border Irregularity: there are dents and curves around the edges of the mole.

C: Color: Melanoma is often dark brown or black in appearance.

D: Diameter: The spot is larger than 6mm across.

Metastases of the cancer is often in satellites of the lymph node, and cancerous cells are then spread to other parts of the body via lymph fluid. Again, early detection is of the utmost importance because the known therapies are unsatisfactory.

MELA

NO

MA

, CO

NT.

Description of the “ABCDs” of tumor detection.

LEUKODERMA: “WHITE SKIN”Leukoderma is a term used

for various dermatological conditions resulting in total or partial whitening of skin. Some diseases in this category are:

Vitiligo Albinism Waardenburg’s

Syndrome/PiebaldismThese can be the result of

genetics, immunological maladies, infection, or contact with chemicals.

LEUKODERMA: VITILIGOVitiligo is one of the more

well-known forms of leukoderma; an autoimmune disorder that results in patches of whitened skin blotched all over the body. Onset usually occurs before the person’s 20s. Although these patients are usually healthy and capable of living a full and happy life, some may be at a greater risk for other autoimmune disorders. Makeup and topical steroid creams may slightly diminish the effects, but are overall not terribly helpful. Skin bleaching is also an option, and was purportedly used by Michael Jackson, a vitiligo sufferer.

LEUKODERMA: ALBINISM Albinism is characterized by a

total or partial lack of color in the skin, including the eyes. There is no melanin in the skin cells. This is a genetic illness caused by a recessive allele from each parent. People with albinism are otherwise quite healthy, although the lack of pigmentation does put them at higher risk of ultraviolet radiation from outside exposure. There are also currently studies underway to determine if the lack of pigment in the eyes causes any developmental disorder of the eyes.

ONYCHIA: “INFLAMMATION OF NAIL BED”

Onychia is an inflammation of the nail bed, either on fingers or toes. It can be the result of dropping something on the nail, from cutting it or from various bacterial or fungal infections. A common sign is a pus or mucus “patch” at the nail bed. Although treatable, onychia can be quite serious and requires an emergency room or podiatrist visit. Otherwise, further infections can invade and spread within the healing nail.

“STATE THE TERMS DESCRIBED, USING THE COMBINING FORMS PROVIDED…” (3B)

DERMAT/O1. Inflammation of the skin: dermatitis2. Any abnormal skin condition: dermatosis3. An instrument for cutting the skin:

dermatome4. Specialist in skin: dermatologist5. Surgical repair of skin: dermatoplasty6. Study of the skin: dermatology

MELAN/O7. Black tumor: melanoma8. Black cell: melanocyte

“STATE THE TERMS DESCRIBED, USING THE COMBINING FORMS PROVIDED…” (3B)

-DERMA1. Scaly skin: ichthyoderma2. White skin: leukoderma3. Red skin: erythroderma

ONYCH/O4. Softening of the nails: onychomalacia5. Infection around the nail: paronychia6. Nail eating (biting): onychophagia7. Removal of the nail: onychectomy

BIBLIOGRAPHYThe Center for Disease Control: National Institute for

Occupational Safety and Health: Education and Information Division. (2009). Contact Dermatitis. Retrieved September 10, 2009. Web Site:

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/skin/#contact

Fremgen, Bonnie F., and Suzanne S. Frucht. Medical Terminology: A Living Language. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, 2009.

Leese, Peter. (2003). “Davidson College: Human Immune Leukoderma: Vitiligo.” Retrieved September 10, 2009. Web Site:

http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/Immunology/Students/Spring2003/Leese/Vitiligo.htm

Malay, Scott D., DPM, MSCE. “How to Address Nail Bed Injuries.” Podiatry Today, 19:9 (January 2006). Retrieved September 10, 2009. Web Site:

http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/5030

BIBLIOGRAPHY, CONT.

Marieb, Elaine N., R.N., Ph.D. Human Anatomy and Physiology. San Francisco: Pearson Education, 2004.

Melanoma Patients Australia. (2009). Melanoma Patients Australia. Retrieved September 11, 2009. Web Site: http://www.melanomapatients.org

Moyer, P. “Dermatology Meets Gynecology.” Dermatology Times, 30(8), 48,50. August 2009.  Retrieved September 10, 2009, from Health Module.

Neveu, M.M. “Albinism: Studies in the Area of Albinism Reported from University College, Institute of Ophthalmology.” Science Letter, 1928. February 2008. Retrieved September 12, 2009, from Health Module. 

New Zealand Dermatological Society, Inc. (2009). DermNet NZ: Leukoderma. Retrieved September 10, 2009. Web Site:

http://www.dermnetnz.org/colour/leukoderma.html