BackMedical Terminology: Integumentary System Word Building and Pathological Conditions
Study Guide - Smart Notes
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Integumentary System: Word Building
General Combining Forms
The integumentary system consists of the skin and its associated structures. Medical terminology uses combining forms to describe these components and their functions.
Combining Form | Definition | Memory Tool |
|---|---|---|
integument/o | covering | "integument" = covering |
cutane/o | skin | "cutaneous" = skin |
derm/o, dermat/o | skin | "dermatology" = study of skin |
hidr/o | sweat | Sweat drops |
onych/o | nail | Finger nail |
pil/o, trich/o | hair | Hair strand |
seb/o | sebum | Oil drop |
Associated Structures
Combining Form | Definition | Memory Tool |
|---|---|---|
bas/o | base | "basal" = base |
kerat/o | hard, horny | Horn |
melan/o | black | Melanin (pigment) |
erythr/o | red | Red blood cell |
xanth/o | yellow | Banana |
cyan/o | blue | Open blue box |
Skin Characteristics and Colors
Combining Forms for Skin Characteristics
Terms describing the texture and color of skin are essential for clinical documentation and diagnosis.
Combining Form | Definition | Memory Tool |
|---|---|---|
scler/o | hard | Chocolate bar (hard) |
pachy/o | thick | Pancake (thick) |
leuk/o | white | White face |
erythr/o | red | Red face |
xanth/o | yellow | Banana |
cyan/o | blue | Open blue box |
Pathological Conditions
Combining Forms for Abnormal Skin Conditions
Medical terms often use specific combining forms to describe abnormal conditions affecting the skin.
Combining Form | Definition | Memory Tool |
|---|---|---|
py/o | pus | Pus |
prurit/o | itching | Scratching |
myc/o | fungus | Mushroom |
radi/o | radiation | Radiation symbol |
infect/o | infection | Germs |
xer/o | dry | Dry skin |
Examples of Pathological Terms
Onychomycosis: Fungal infection of the nail.
Antipruritic: Medication/substance for itch relief.
Neurocutaneous angiomatosis: Malformation of blood vessels causing skin lesions.
Descriptive Terms Related to Other Body Systems
Combining Forms for Systemic Conditions
Combining Form | Definition | Memory Tool |
|---|---|---|
auto- | self | Auto (car/self) |
allo- | other | Alien (other) |
xeno- | foreign | Xenon (foreign) |
Examples
Xenograft: Tumor tissue from a human cancer patient may be transplanted into a mouse to study the tumor and personalize a treatment for the patient. This is known as a xenograft.
Medical Terminology Practice Questions
Multiple Choice and Fill-in-the-Blank
Hypohidrosis: Condition characterized by deficiency in sweating.
Steatorrhea: Medical term for discharge of oil.
Pachyderma: Condition characterized by thick, coarse skin.
Dermomycosis: Skin condition caused by bacterial infection.
Hidradenitis: Inflammation of sweat glands.
Fill in the Blanks
Question | Answer |
|---|---|
Surgical procedure for removing wrinkles ("facelift") | Rhytidectomy |
Common tumor of basal cell layer | Basal cell carcinoma |
Dry skin | Xerosis |
Agent producing oil | Sebaceous |
Key Terms and Definitions
Antipruritic: Medication/substance for itch relief.
Onychomycosis: Fungal infection of the nail.
Neurocutaneous angiomatosis: Malformation of blood vessels causing skin lesions.
Photodermatitis: Inflammation of the skin caused by UV radiation exposure.
Summary Table: Combining Forms and Definitions
Combining Form | Definition |
|---|---|
derm/o, dermat/o | skin |
hidr/o | sweat |
onych/o | nail |
pil/o, trich/o | hair |
seb/o | sebum |
kerat/o | hard, horny |
melan/o | black |
erythr/o | red |
xanth/o | yellow |
cyan/o | blue |
Additional info:
Medical terminology for the integumentary system is foundational for describing skin anatomy, pathology, and procedures.
Combining forms are used to construct terms that specify location, color, texture, and disease processes.
