Introduction to Medical Terminology

Victoria Fils, EdD, MPH, RHIT

Skin and Sense Organs

Skin and Sense Organs

Skin and Sense Organs

Skin and Sense Organs

Skin and Sense Organs

Skin and Sense Organs:Vocabulary

• (aur/o- = ear) + (-al) =

• (ot/o- ear) + (-itis) =

• (sub- = beneath) + (cutane/o- = skin) + (-ous = pertaining to) =

• (epi- = above) + (derm/o- = skin) + (-is) =

Skin and Sense Organs:Vocabulary

• (myring/o- = eardrum) + (-otomy = opening into) =

• (tympan/o- = eardrum) + (-plasty) =

• (-ocul/o- = eye) + (-ar) =

• (ophthalm/o- = eye) + (-scope = instrument to examine) =

Skin and Sense Organs:Vocabulary

• (a- = none, without) + (phak/o- = lens) + (-ia = condition of) =

• (retin/o- = retina) + (-pathy = disease of) =

Skin and Sense Organs:Pathology

• Alopecia:– Absence of hair growth

• Cataract:– Opacity of lens– Senile and infantile

• Conjunctivitis:– Inflammation of the

conjunctiva (lining of the inner surface of the eyelids

– Children: infectious

Skin and Sense Organs:Pathology

• Melanoma:– Malignant tumor of skin

pigment cells– May metastasize to internal

sites

• Nevus:– Mole; pigmented skin lesion

• Tinnitus:– Ringing, buzzing, roaring in the

ears– Due to ear pathology or

medication use

Skin and Sense Organs:Tests and Procedures

• Allergy Test:– Allergens distributed on skin; reaction

observed– Scratch test: skin surface is lightly

abraded and allergens placed into abraded area. Reaction observed

• Bacterial and Fungal Tests:– Skin biopsies studied for presence of

bacteria or funghi• Flourescein angiography:

– Flourescent contrast given intravenously, with X-Ray of retinal blood vessels

• Ophthalmoscopy:– Visual exam of back of eye (retinal

area)

Skin and Sense Organs:Tests and Procedures

• Otoscopy:– Visual exam of eardrum with otoscope

• Skin Biopsy:– Skin lesions or samples are removed

from skin and sent to pathology to evaluate cells

• Slit-Lamp microscopy:– Scopic exam of anterior eye structures

• Tuning fork tests:– Vibrating tuning fork is placed in front

of ear to determine the waves lengths that are audible

References

• References:– Chabner: D, Medical Terminology: A Short

Course– Fils, V.