This document defines and describes various terms related to skin and dermatology. It provides definitions for terms like alopecia, erythema, hirsutism, hyperpigmentation, hypo pigmentation, keratin, keratinocytes, Langerhans cells, melanin, and more. The terms describe various skin conditions, structures of the skin, cells found in the skin, pigmentation changes, and other dermatological features.

1. PRESENTED BY:
KINJAL RATHOD
NURSING TUTOR
AHMEDABAD SCHOOL/COLLEGE
OF NURSING

2.  alopecia: loss of hair from any cause
 erythema: redness of the skin caused by
dilation of the capillaries due to injury,
irritation, inflammation, or various skin
conditions
 hirsutism: the condition of having excessive
hair growth
 hyperpigmentation: increase in the melanin of
the skin, resulting in an increase in
pigmentation
 hypo pigmentation: decrease in the melanin
of the skin, resulting in a loss of pigmentation

3.  keratin: an insoluble, fibrous protein that forms the
outer skin layer
 keratinocytes: arising from the innermost layer of
the epidermis, synthesize the insoluble protein,
keratin
 Langerhans cells: dendritic clear cells in the
epidermis that carry surface receptors for
immunoglobulin and complement and that are
active participants in delayed hypersensitivity of
the skin
 melanin: the substance responsible for coloration
of the skin
 melanocytes: cells of the skin that produce melanin

4.  rete ridges: undulations and furrows that appear at
the lower edge of the epidermis at the dermal
junction where these two skin layers are cemented
together
 sebaceous glands: glands that exist within the
epidermis and secrete sebum to keep the skin soft
and pliable sebum: fatty secretion of the sebaceous
glands
 telangiectasias: venous stars; red marks on the
skin caused by distention of the superficial blood
vessels

5.  Acantholysis : it is separation of epidermis cells
from each other due to damage or abnormality of
intracellular substance.
 Angioma : it is benign vascular tumor.
 Curettage : it is removal and scraping away of
tissue using an instrument with cutting edge
attached to a handle.
 Carbuncle : it is group of infected hair follicles.
 Cellulitis : infection of dermis & subcutaneous
tissue.
 Comedons: basic lesion of acne vulgaris caused
by accumulation of keratin and sebum within
opening of hair follicles.

6.  vitiligo: a localized or widespread condition
characterized by destruction of the melanocytes
in circumscribed areas of the skin, resulting in
white patches
 Wood light: ultraviolet light used for diagnosing
skin condition
 Merkel cells: cells of the epidermis that play a
role in transmission of sensory messages
 petechiae: pinpoint red spots that appear on the
skin as a result of blood leakage into the skin

7. Dermatophytoss : superficial fungal
infection of skin.
Erysipelas : it is an infection of skin caused
by group A streptococci.
Frurncle: localised infection of a single hair
follicle.
Xerosis : dryness of skin.