Dermatology

Anatomical Terms for Dermatology

albino
Person or animal lacking pigmentation.
anagen
Active phase of the hair
apocrine glands
Scent glands
bulb
The lower segment of the hair follicle
catagen
Transitional phase of the hair
collagen
A fibrous protein found in skin, bone, and other connective tissues
crust
Dead skin cells
dermatologist
Skin specialist
dermatology
The branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its diseases.
dermis
Skin layer between the epidermis and hypodermis.
eccrine  glands
Sweat glands
elastic tissue
A type of connective tissue consisting mainly of elastic fibers and found in the walls of arteries in the dermis of the skin and in certain ligaments and tendons.
epidermis
Outer layer of skin
epithelium
Thin protective layer of tissue.
eponychium
cuticle
erector pili muscle/ arrector pili muscle
A microscopic band of muscle tissue which connects a hair follicle to the dermis.
follicular orifice
germinal matrix
A nail root
glabrous skin
External skin that naturally is hairless.
hair
A filamentous biomaterial, that grows from follicles found in the dermis.
hair follicle
A skin organ that produces hair.
hair shaft
The hair seen above the skin is called the hair shaft.
horn
A cell type.
hypodermis/hypoderm/subcutaneous tissue
The lowermost layer of the integumentary system.
hyponychium
The area between the nail plate and the fingertip
infundibulum
The upper segment of the hair follicle
integumentary
An outer protective layer
intermediate hairs
Hair that shows the characteristics of both vellus hairs and terminal hairs
isthmus
The middle segment of the hair follicle
keratin
A fibrous insoluble protein that is the main structural element in hair, nails.
Langerhans' cell
The frontline defense of the immune system in the skin. (epidermal cell)
Meissner's and Vater-Pacini corpuscles
Specialized nerve cells which transmits the sensations of touch and pressure
melanin
The pigment that is naturally present to varying degrees in the skin, hair, eye.
melanocyte
nevus cells
Merkel's cell's
Function is not clearly known (epidermal cell)
mole
A small dark, sometimes raised growth on the human skin, sometimes with a hair or hairs growing from it.
morphology
The identification, analysis and description of the structure.
nail plate
An  actual fingernail
nails
A nail is a horn-like envelope covering the dorsal aspect of the terminal phalanges of fingers and toes in humans.
nevi
A birthmark, mole, or any other kind of growth or mark on the skin that a person is born with.
nevus
A birthmark, mole, or any other kind of growth or mark on the skin that a person is born with.
papillary layer
Upper layer of dermis
perionychium
The skin that overlies the nail plate on its sides.
reticular fibers/reticulin
A histological term used to describe a type of fiber in connective tissue composed of type III collagen.
reticular layer
Lower layer of dermis
scale
A scale is a flat plate or flake of stratum corneum.
sebaceous glands
Oil glands
sebum
Oily secretion
skin
The soft outer covering of vertebrates
skin turgor
The skin's ability to change shape.
squamous epithelium
An epithelium characterized by its most superficial layer consisting of flat, scale-like cells called squamous epithelial cells.
sterile matrix
A nail bed
stork bites/ angel kisses
Pink patches due to the stretching (dilation) of certain blood vessels
stratum basale
First epidermal layer
stratum corneum
Fifth and outermost epidermal layer
stratum granulosum
Third epidermal layer
stratum lucidum
Fourth epidermal layer
stratum spinosum
Second epidermal layer
subcutaneous tissue
A layer of fat and connective tissue that houses larger blood vessels and nerves.
subungual
Beneath the nail
tan lines
A division between an area or areas on the skin of a human of pronounced comparative paleness relative to other areas of their body that have been suntanned by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
telangiectasia
Small dilated blood vessels near the surface of the skin or mucous membranes.
telogen
Resting phase of the hair
telogen hairs
A telogen is a resting phase of hairs.
terminal hairs
Long hairs that grow on the scalp and in many people on the body.
vellus hairs
Short hairs of a centimeter or two long.

Disease Related Terms in Dermatology

Acantholysis
the loss of intercellular connections, such as desmosomes, resulting in loss of cohesion between keratinocytes.
acanthosis
A diffuse epidermal hyperplasia.
acne
Acne is a skin condition that causes whiteheads, blackheads, and inflamed red growths (papules, pustules, and cysts) to form
acne excoriée
A mild acne accompanied by extensive excoriations.
acne vulgaris
Acne vulgaris (or cystic acne) is a common human skin disease, characterized by areas of skin with seborrhea (scaly red skin), comedones (blackheads and whiteheads), papules (pinheads), pustules (pimples), Nodules (large papules) and possibly scarring.
acrochordons (cutaneous skin tags)
Acrochordons (cutaneous skin tags) are small, usually harmless (benign) skin growths.
actinic
Referring to the ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and UV lamps.
actinic keratosis
A small, rough, raised area found on skin that has been exposed to the sun over a long period of time.
agminate
gathered or clustered together
allergic contact dermatitis (ACD)
Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) is a delayed type of induced sensitivity (allergy) resulting from cutaneous contact with a specific allergen to which the patient has developed a specific sensitivity
alopecia (hair loss)
Hair loss
alopecia areata
A condition that causes round patches of hair loss, and can lead to total hair loss.
androgen profile
androgenetic alopecia
The most common cause of hair loss and thinning in humans.
angioedema
A swelling, similar to hives, but the swelling is beneath the skin rather than on the surface.
angular cheilitis
An inflammatory lesion at the labial commissure (corner of the mouth) and often occurs bilaterally.
angular stomatitis
Irritation and fissuring in the corners of the lips is termed angular stomatitis or angular cheilitis.
anhidrosis
Lack of sweating
anicteric
Without jaundice
annular
Shaped like or forming a ring.
aphthous stomatitis/ recurrent aphthous ulcers (RAUs)/ canker sores
The most common oral mucosal lesions
arciform or arcuate
Bent like a bow
asteatotic eczema
A form of eczema resulting from exsiccation of the skin due to factors like aging, atopy, dry climate, overexposure to water and detergents and malnutrition.
atopic dermatitis (AD) / atopic eczema/  infantile eczema
An allergic disease believed to have a hereditary component and often runs in families whose members also have asthma.
atopy/ atopic syndrome
A predisposition toward developing certain allergic hypersensitivity reactions.
atrophy
The partial or complete wasting away of a part of the body
atypical skin lesions
The precancerous lesions
autoeczematization
The development of widespread dermatitis.
basal cell carcinoma
A slow-growing form of skin cancer
Behçet disease
A rare disorder that causes chronic inflammation in blood vessels throughout the body.
benign-appearing nevi
Birthmark
Blaschkoid
Entire half of the body.
bulla
Blister
bullae
Plural of bulla
burrow
A narrow, elevated channel made by a parasite.
callus
Thickened layers of skin
candidal balanitis
A sexually transmitted disease
Celestoderm
A skin ointment to help relieve redness, itching, swelling, or other discomfort caused by skin conditions.
chancre
A  painless ulceration (sore) formed during the primary stage of syphilis.
circinate impetigo
Ringworm like lesions.
Clotrimazole (brand name Canesten or Lotrimin)
An antifungal medication commonly used in the treatment of fungal infections.
collagen
A fibrous protein
collarette
A narrow rim of loosened keratin overhanging the periphery of a circumscribed skin lesion, attached to the normal surrounding skin.
collarette scaling
A characteristic sign in pityriasis rosea
Comedo (plural: comedones)
Blackhead
Comedolytic
Drugs that break up comedones and open clogged pores.
comedones
Plural of comedo
condyloma
Genital warts
condylomata
An infection of the genitals.
confluent
Measuring a number of cells.
cutaneous biopsy
The removal of a small piece of skin for lab tests.
cyst
Spherical swelling
decubitus ulcer
Bedsores
dermatitis
Skin inflammation
dermatomycosis
A skin disease caused by a fungus.
Dermographism urticaria
A skin condition in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes even slapped.
diaper dermatitis
Diaper dermatitis is caused by overhydration of the skin, maceration, prolonged contact with urine and feces, retained diaper soaps, and topical preparations and is a prototypical example of irritant contact dermatitis.
diaper rash
A skin problem that develops in the area beneath an infant's diaper.
diaphoresis
Excessive sweating
Digitate warts/ filiform warts/ Verruca Filiform
The warts that are commonly found in parts of the body with thin skin.
Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE)
An uncommon autoimmune disease of the basal cell layer of the skin.
Dyskeratosis
An abnormal keratinization occurring prematurely within individual cells or groups of cells below the stratum corneum.
Dysplastic nevi
Atypical mole
ecchymoses
The passage of blood vessels into subcutaneous tissue marked by a purple discoloration of the skin.
ecchymosis
The escape of blood into the tissues from ruptured blood vessels.
eczema
An inflammation of the skin characterized by reddening and itching and the formation of scaly or crusty patches that may leak fluid.
eczematous
A noncontagious inflammation of the skin.
epidermal inclusion cyst
Most common cutaneous cysts
erosion
Gradual breaking down
erythema
Redness of skin caused by hyperemia of the capillaries in the lower layers of the skin.
erythematous
Redness of the skin caused by dilatation and congestion of the capillaries, often a sign of inflammation or infection.
erythematous macules
erythematous, scaly rash
exanthema
A skin rash appearing as a sign of some infectious diseases such as measles.
exanthematous
Characterized by or of the nature of an eruption or rash.
excoriation
When the surface of the skin experiences abrasions and trauma as a result of frequent and repetitive rubbing or scratching, a type of secondary lesion known as an excoriation forms.
exocytosis
Infiltration of the epidermis by inflammatory or circulating blood cells.
Extensor (back of the fingers)
Back of the fingers
Figurate erythema
Redness of the skin caused by dilatation and congestion of the capillaries, often a sign of inflammation or infection in definite shape.
fissure
Break or tear in the skin
fleshy mole
A uterine mass occurring after fetal death and consisting of blood clots, fetal membranes, and placenta
Flexural (front of the fingers)
Front of the fingers
follicular papules
A small, solid, usually inflammatory elevation of the skin that does not contain pus.
folliculitis
Inflammation of follicles especially of the hair, product in small boils.
freckle
A brown skin spot
generalized
not localized
granuloma
A tiny collection of immune cells known as macrophages.
granuloma annulare
A long-term (chronic) skin disease consisting of a rash with reddish bumps arranged in a circle or ring.
Guttate psoriasis
Guttate psoriasis is a skin condition in which small, red, and scaly teardrop-shaped spots appear on the arms, legs, and middle of the body.
Herpetiform
Mouth ulcers
hidradenitis suppurativa
Hidradenitis suppurativa is a skin disease that most commonly affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands or sebaceous glands, such as the underarms, breasts, inner thighs, groin and buttocks.
Hutchinson freckle
A tan patch on the skin that grows slowly and becomes mottled, dark, thick, and nodular.
Hydropic swelling
An intracellular edema of keratinocytes, often seen with viral infections.
Hypergranulosis
A hyperplasia of the stratum granulosum, often due to intense rubbing.
Hyperkeratosis
A thickening of the stratum corneum, often associated with a qualitative abnormality of the keratin.
hyperkeratosis
A thickening of the stratum corneum,
hyperpigmentation
The darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.
hypertrophic
The increase in the volume of an organ or tissue due to the enlargement of its component cells.
ichthyosis
A skin disease that causes the skin to become dry, thick, and scaly.
impetigo
A contagious infection of the skin caused by staphylococcal and streptococcal bacteria and characterized by blisters that form yellow-brown scabs
induration
Condition of being hardened
intertriginous
An area where two skin areas may touch or rub together.
intertrigo
An inflammation (rash) of the body folds (adjacent areas of skin).
itchiness
A desire to scratch the skin.
Kaposi sarcoma (KS)
A tumor caused by Human herpesvirus.
keloid
A type of scar which, depending on its maturity, is composed mainly of either type III (early) or type I (late) collagen.
keratosis
The growth of hard horny tissue on the skin
leishmaniasis
A disease spread by the bite of the female sandfly.
lentigines
A small pigmented spot on the skin with a clearly- defined edge, surrounded by normal-appearing skin.
lentiginous
A lentigo (plural: lentigines) is a small pigmented spot on the skin with a clearly-defined edge, surrounded by normal-appearing skin.
lentiginous junctional dysplastic nevus
lentigo (plural: lentigines)
A small pigmented spot on the skin with a clearly- defined edge, surrounded by normal-appearing skin.
leukoderma
A cutaneous condition with localized loss of pigmentation of the skin that may occur after any number of inflammatory skin.
leukoplakia
Small white patches inside the mouth or vulva.
Lichen planus
A disease in which there is an itchy rash on the skin or in the mouth.
Lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
A chronic inflammatory dermatosis that results in white plaques with epidermal atrophy.
Lichen simplex chronicus
A skin disorder that leads to chronic itching and scratching.
Lichenification
Thick, leathery skin, usually the result of constant scratching.
lichenification
Thick, leathery skin, usually the result of constant scratching.
Linear
Relating to lines
lipoma
Fatty tumor
livedo
A form of skin discoloration.
livedo reticularis
A lace-like purplish discoloration of the lower extremities.
livedoid dermatitis
It occurs immediately after an intramuscular injection, and is characterized by intense pain and blanching of the overlying skin, known as ischemic pallor.
livedoid vasculitis
Painful purpuric ulcers with reticular pattern of the lower extremities syndrome.
maceration
Maceration of the skin occurs when it is consistently wet. The skin softens, turns white, and can easily get infected with bacteria or fungi.
Macule
A small localized change in the color of skin that is neither raised nor elevated as well as depressed.
macule
A flat, distinct colored area of skin that is usually less than 10 millimeters wide, and does not include a change in skin texture or thickness.
maculopapular
A rash that contains both macules and papules.
Maculopapular rash
A type of rash characterized by a flat, red area on the skin that is covered with small confluent bumps.
malar erythema
Redness over the cheeks of the face seen in systemic lupus patients.
malignant melanoma
A tumor which is likely to be spread that develop from melanocytes.
mamillated
Having the form of a bluntly rounded protuberance
Melanocytic nevus/ Nevocytic nevus
A type of lesion that contains nevus cells (melanocytes).
melanoma
Tumor of skin
milia
Tiny white bumps or small cysts on the skin that are almost always seen in newborn babies.
morbilliform
A rash that looks like measles.
mottled hyperpigmentation
Neurodermatitis/ Lichen simplex chronicus
A skin disorder characterized by chronic itching and scratching.
nodule
Small lump
nummular
Coin shaped
onychomycosis
Fungal nail infection
Palmoplantar
A palm of the hand, bottom of the foot
papillomatosis
A skin surface elevation caused by hyperplasia and enlargement of contiguous dermal papillae.
papule
Small bump on skin
papuloerosive
papulopustular
pertaining to a skin eruption of both pustules and papules.
papulosquamous
pertaining to a skin eruption that is both papular and scaly.
papulovesicular
pertaining to a skin rash characterized by both papules and vesicles.
Parakeratosis
A mode of keratinization characterized by the retention of nuclei in the stratum corneum.
paronychia
Paronychia is a skin infection that occurs around the nails.
patch
A large macule (A small localized change in the color of skin that is neither raised nor elevated as well as depressed)
perioral dermatitis
Perioral dermatitis is a skin disorder characterized by tiny red bumps (papules) around the mouth.
periorificial
Situated about or surrounding an opening
Periungual (under a finger or toe nail)
Under a finger or toe nail.
petechia
A tiny purplish red spot on the skin caused by the release into the skin of a very small quantity of blood from a capillary.
petechiae
A tiny purplish red spot on the skin caused by the release into the skin of a very small quantity of blood from a capillary.
Photoaging/ dermatoheliosis
A term used for the characteristic changes induced by chronic UVA and UVB exposure.
photo-damaged skin
Sun damaged skin
Photodistributed
where sunlight reaches.
pilonidal cyst
A cyst or abscess near or on the natal cleft of the buttocks that often contains hair and skin debris.
pinpoint petechiae
Petechiae are pinpoint, round spots that appear on the skin as a result of bleeding under the skin.
pityriasiform dermatosis
Resembling psoriasis skin disease especially one not characterized by inflammation.
pityriasis lichenoides
A rare cutaneous disorder of unknown etiology.
pityriasis rosea
A common type of skin rash seen in young adults.
Pityrosporum hyphae
plaque
Deposit on skin
poikiloderma
A skin condition that "consists of areas of increased and decreased pigmentation, prominent blood vessels, and thinning of the skin.
poison ivy/contact dermatitis
An inflammation of the skin caused by direct contact with an irritating substance
polyp
A small stalk-shaped growth sticking out from the skin or from a mucous membrane.
prickly heat
Heat rash
proliferative dermatitis
Increase in skin inflammation
pruritic rash
Itchy skin
Pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy (PUPPP)
A benign dermatosis that usually arises late in the third trimester of a first pregnancy.
pruritus
A sensation that causes the desire or reflex to scratch.
pruritus ani/ anusitis/ swamps
The irritation of the skin at the exit of the rectum, known as the anus, causing the desire to scratch.
psoriasiform
Resembling psoriasis
psoriasis
An autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen
psoriatic plaques
The most common type of psoriasis (an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen).
purpura
The appearance of red or purple discolorations on the skin that do not blanch on applying pressure.
purulent
Causing the pus formation
pustule
Pimple
pyoderma
Skin disease that is pyogenic (pus formation)
reticular or reticulated
Resembling or forming a net or network.
Rhus dermatitis
Rhus dermatitis is an allergic contact dermatitis caused by the Rhus (Toxicodendron) genus of plants.
rosacea
Rosacea is a chronic skin condition that makes your face turn red and may cause swelling and skin sores that look like acne.
rubella
The German measles, is an infection in which there is a rash on the skin.
rubeola
Measles, also known as rubeola or morbilli, is an infection of the respiratory system caused by a virus.
scabies
An easily spread skin disease caused by a very small species of mite.
Schamberg's disease
A chronic discoloration of the skin found in people of all ages, usually affecting the legs.
scleroderma
A connective tissue disease that involves changes in the skin, blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs.
seborrhea
Dandruff
seborrheic blepharitis
Flaky eyelids
seborrheic dermatitis
A common, inflammatory skin condition that causes flaky, white to yellowish scales to form on oily areas such as the scalp or inside the ear.
serpiginous or gyrate
Relating to or being a cutaneous lesion, such as an ulcer, having an arciform border and a wavy margin.
skin pigmentation
Skin pigmentation disorders affect the color of your skin.
skin tag/skin tags/ acrochordons
Benign growths thought to be caused by skin friction.
solar dermatitis
Sun rash
spongiosis
An intercellular edema between the keratinocytes in the epidermis.
squamous cell carcinoma
A type of skin cancer
Staph aureus
A bacteria
Steatoma/lipoma
A fatty mass retained within a sebaceous gland.
stellate
Lesions arranged in a radiating pattern like that of a star.
stomatitis
An inflammation of the mucous lining of any of the structures in the mouth.
strawberry hemangiomas
The most common tumors of infancy
sty
Eyelid swelling
subacute dermatitis
Neither chronic or acute inflammation of the skin.
sun-damaged skin
Symmetric (one side mirrors the other)
Exhibiting symmetry
syringoma
Harmless sweat duct tumor, typically found clustered on eyelids, although they may also be found in the armpits, umbilicus, or vulva
systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a long-term autoimmune disorder that may affect the skin, joints, kidneys, brain, and other organs.
targetoid
A structure or lesion that has the appearance of a target or is target-like.
telogen effluvium
A form of nonscarring alopecia characterized by diffuse hair shedding, often with an acute onset.
tinea corporis
A skin infection due to fungi.
tinea cruris/joke itch/ringworm of the groin
An infection of the groin area caused by fungus.
tinea versicolor
A long-term (chronic) fungal infection of the skin.
ulcer
Internal sore
Ulceration (ulcer)
A discontinuity of the skin or a break in the skin that stops it from continuing its normal functions
urticaria
Skin rash usually occurs as an allergic reaction that is marked by itching and small pale and red swellings and often lasts for few days.
Vacuolization
the formation of vacuoles (a membrane-bound organelle) within or adjacent to cells.
verruca
Wart on foot, usually on sole
verrucae
Wart on foot, usually on sole
verrucous
Having warts
versicolor
multicolored
vesicle
Fluid-filled cyst
vesiculobullous
relating to, or being both vesicles and bullae
vesiculopustular
relating to, or marked by both vesicles and pustules
violaceous
A discoloration of skin.
vitiligo
A skin disorder in which smooth whitish patches appear on the skin
wart
Small lump on skin
weeping eczema
Eczema is a disease of skin characterized by inflammation and irritation.
wheal
A raised, itchy (pruritic) area of skin that is almost always an overt sign of allergy.
wheal-and-flare reaction
Skin allergies frequently cause rashes, or swelling and inflammation within the skin, in what is known as a "wheal and flare" reaction.
whitehead
Whiteheads are a specific type of acne called comedones.
xanthoma
A skin condition in which certain fats build up under the surface of the skin.
xeroderma
Dry skin
xerosis 
An abnormal dryness of the skin or mucus membranes
Zosteriform or dermatomal
Lesions associated with particular nerve.

Treatment Related Terms in Dermatology

triamcinolone
Medicine used to treat skin conditions
Accutane
Accutane (isotretinoin) is a form of vitamin A and is used to treat severe nodular acne.
Allergy testing (patch testing)
Cortisol/hydrocortisone
A steroid hormone
Cosmetic filler injections
Cryosurgery
dermatoplasty
The use of skin grafts in plastic surgery to correct defects or replace skin destroyed by injury or disease.
DHEAS
Dehydroepiandrosterone
differential diagnosis
A systematic diagnostic method used to identify the presence of an entity where multiple alternatives are possible.
diphencyprone
A medicine used to treat alopecia areata
electrodesiccation and curettage (EDC, ED & C, or ED+C)
a commonly performed procedure by dermatologists, surgeons and general practitioners for the treatment of basal cell cancers and squamous cell cancers of the skin.
emollient
Soothing to skin
Fluorescence
Emission of light
Glaxal base
Moisturizing Cream
glycolic acid
Glycolic Acid is from Natural fruit acids (alpha hydroxy acids or AHAs) to rejuvenate the skin by encouraging the shedding of old, sun-damaged surface skin cells.
Hair removal with laser and other modalities
Hair transplantation
hair-pull test
The hair pull test is a simple test for the clinician to determine the ongoing activity and severity of any kind of hair loss.
Isopropyl alcohol
Purpose antiseptic uses for preparation of the skin prior to injection.
Kenalog (triamcinolone)
Treats inflammation caused by allergic reactions, eczema, and psoriasis.
Laser therapy
Lidex cream
Skin ointment used for treating inflammation and itching due to certain skin conditions
Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy
A treatment in which surface skin lesions are frozen.
minoxidil
An antihypertensive vasodilator medication which also slows or stops hair loss and promotes hair regrowth.
Mohs surgery/ chemosurgery
A microscopically controlled surgery used to treat common types of skin cancer.
Oxsoralen
Skin ointment
Petrolatum alba
Skin ointment
Photodynamic therapy
Phototherapy
Potassium hydroxide exam
A Potassium hydroxide test is used to diagnose fungal infections of the skin.
Radiation therapy
Retin-A cream
This cream used to treat acne.
slow Mohs (surgery or procedure)
A very useful technique for histologically subtle neoplasms.
Spectazole (econazole nitrate )cream
This cream is prescribed for fungal skin diseases commonly called ringworm (tinea).
steroids
Drugs that mimic the effects of testosterone
sun protection
Systemic therapies
Tattoo removal
Topical therapies
Topical therapy
Tretinoin
Skin ointment used for to combat acne and signs of aging skin.
triamcinolone cream
Skin ointment used for dryness, itching, redness, and inflammation of skin.
trichogram
Aggressive hair pluck
Tumescent liposuction
ultraviolet B phototherapy
Ultraviolet B phototherapy suitable for the psoriasis
Vitiligo surgery
Wood's light examination
A test that uses ultraviolet light to closely look at the skin.