Inglês para Dermatologia: Vocabulário e Frases Essenciais

"epidermis"

The outermost layer of the skin, composed primarily of keratinocytes, providing a protective barrier

"The patient presented with a full-thickness burn that had destroyed the epidermis and underlying dermis."

"stratum corneum"

The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead, flattened keratinocytes that form a waterproof barrier

"Emollients work by restoring moisture to the stratum corneum, improving barrier function in dry skin conditions."

"dermis"

The middle layer of the skin containing collagen, elastin, nerve endings, blood vessels, and hair follicles

"The biopsy revealed inflammatory infiltrate extending from the epidermis into the upper dermis."

"subcutaneous tissue"

The deepest layer of the skin, composed mainly of adipose tissue, providing insulation and cushioning

"The lipoma was located in the subcutaneous tissue and was easily excised under local anaesthesia."

"melanocyte"

A pigment-producing cell located in the basal layer of the epidermis responsible for skin colour

"Vitiligo results from the selective destruction of melanocytes, causing depigmented patches on the skin."

"keratinocyte"

The predominant cell type in the epidermis that produces keratin and undergoes a programmed maturation cycle

"In psoriasis, keratinocyte proliferation is markedly accelerated, leading to thickened, scaly plaques."

"sebaceous gland"

An oil-secreting gland attached to hair follicles that produces sebum to lubricate the skin and hair

"Acne vulgaris arises when sebaceous gland secretions mix with shed keratinocytes to block the follicular opening."

"eccrine sweat gland"

A type of sweat gland distributed across the entire body surface that regulates temperature through perspiration

"Hyperhidrosis is characterised by excessive sweating from eccrine sweat glands beyond what is needed for thermoregulation."

"macule"

A flat, non-palpable change in skin colour, less than 1 cm in diameter, with no change in texture or thickness

"Multiple hyperpigmented macules consistent with post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation were noted on the forearms."

"papule"

A small, solid, elevated lesion less than 1 cm in diameter that is palpable above the skin surface

"The eruption comprised scattered erythematous papules distributed symmetrically across the trunk and proximal limbs."

"plaque"

A flat-topped, elevated lesion greater than 1 cm in diameter, often formed by the coalescence of papules

"Silvery-scaled plaques over the elbows and knees are among the most characteristic findings of chronic plaque psoriasis."

"vesicle"

A small, fluid-filled blister less than 0.5 cm in diameter located within or just beneath the epidermis

"Grouped vesicles on an erythematous base on the lower lip were consistent with a recurrence of herpes simplex infection."

"pustule"

A superficial, pus-filled blister visible as a white or yellow elevation on the skin surface

"Follicular pustules distributed across the face and chest are a hallmark of inflammatory acne vulgaris."

"erosion"

A superficial loss of epidermis that heals without scarring, often resulting from a ruptured vesicle or bullae

"The widespread erosions on the trunk and mucous membranes raised concern for pemphigus vulgaris."

"lichenification"

Thickening and accentuation of normal skin markings resulting from repeated rubbing or scratching

"Chronic atopic dermatitis of the antecubital fossae had produced marked lichenification from years of scratching."

"excoriation"

Linear or angulated skin erosions caused by scratching, picking, or other mechanical trauma

"Multiple excoriations overlying eczematous plaques indicated significant pruritus and poor sleep quality for the patient."

"atopic dermatitis"

A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin disease characterised by pruritus, eczematous lesions, and impaired skin barrier function

"The child's atopic dermatitis was poorly controlled despite topical steroids, prompting a referral to a paediatric dermatologist."

"psoriasis"

A chronic autoimmune disorder resulting in rapid keratinocyte turnover and the formation of thick, scaly plaques

"The patient's psoriasis had progressed to involve over 20% of body surface area, meeting criteria for biologic therapy."

"acne vulgaris"

A multifactorial inflammatory condition of pilosebaceous units characterised by comedones, papules, pustules, and potential scarring

"Oral isotretinoin was prescribed after topical and systemic antibiotics failed to control severe nodular acne vulgaris."

"rosacea"

A chronic inflammatory facial dermatosis characterised by erythema, telangiectasias, papules, and pustules affecting the central face

"The patient's rosacea flared after sun exposure and spicy food, classic triggers documented in the clinic letter."

"urticaria"

A condition characterised by transient, pruritic wheals and sometimes angioedema, resulting from mast cell degranulation

"Chronic spontaneous urticaria persisting for more than six weeks requires a second-generation antihistamine as first-line therapy."

"contact dermatitis"

An inflammatory skin reaction caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen, classified as irritant or allergic

"Patch testing confirmed nickel as the causative allergen in the patient's allergic contact dermatitis from a wristwatch."

"tinea corporis"

A superficial fungal infection of the glabrous skin caused by dermatophytes, producing ring-shaped scaly lesions

"The circular, advancing scaly plaque with central clearing on the forearm was diagnosed clinically as tinea corporis."

"herpes zoster"

Reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus in a sensory ganglion causing painful, dermatomal blistering

"The unilateral vesicular eruption following the T4 dermatome with prodromal pain confirmed a diagnosis of herpes zoster."

"melanoma"

A malignant tumour arising from melanocytes, characterised by irregular borders, asymmetry, colour variation, and metastatic potential

"The pigmented lesion showed the ABCDE criteria and was excised; histopathology confirmed a superficial spreading melanoma."

"basal cell carcinoma"

The most common skin malignancy arising from basal keratinocytes, typically growing locally without distant metastasis

"A pearlescent nodule with telangiectasia on the nasal tip of a 68-year-old was biopsied and confirmed as nodular basal cell carcinoma."

"squamous cell carcinoma"

A malignant tumour of epidermal keratinocytes with the potential for local invasion and distant metastasis

"The poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma on the lower lip required Mohs micrographic surgery to achieve clear margins."

"actinic keratosis"

A rough, scaly pre-malignant lesion on sun-damaged skin caused by abnormal keratinocyte proliferation, with risk of progression to squamous cell carcinoma

"The patient had multiple actinic keratoses on the scalp treated with field-directed 5-fluorouracil cream over three weeks."

"Breslow thickness"

The depth of melanoma invasion measured in millimetres from the granular layer to the deepest tumour cells, a primary prognostic indicator

"A Breslow thickness of 2.4 mm placed the melanoma in stage IIB, prompting discussion of sentinel lymph node biopsy."

"sentinel lymph node biopsy"

A surgical procedure to identify and sample the first draining lymph node from a primary tumour to assess for microscopic metastasis

"Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed at the time of wide local excision and returned negative, indicating no regional spread."

"dermoscopy"

A non-invasive diagnostic technique using illuminated magnification to examine subsurface skin structures not visible to the naked eye

"Dermoscopy revealed atypical pigment network and regression structures that indicated the lesion required urgent excision."

"Mohs micrographic surgery"

A precise surgical technique for excising skin cancer in which tissue margins are examined intraoperatively to ensure complete tumour removal

"Mohs micrographic surgery was chosen for the recurrent basal cell carcinoma near the medial canthus to preserve as much normal tissue as possible."

"punch biopsy"

A diagnostic procedure using a circular blade to remove a full-thickness core of skin tissue for histopathological examination

"A 4 mm punch biopsy was taken from the centre of the annular plaque to differentiate granuloma annulare from tinea corporis."

"patch testing"

A diagnostic test in which potential allergens are applied under occlusion to the upper back to identify delayed hypersensitivity reactions

"Extended European baseline series patch testing over 48 and 96 hours identified cobalt chloride as a relevant positive result."

"phototherapy"

A therapeutic modality using controlled doses of ultraviolet light — most commonly narrowband UVB — to treat inflammatory skin conditions

"The patient with moderate plaque psoriasis was commenced on narrowband UVB phototherapy three times per week in the hospital phototherapy unit."

"cryotherapy"

The use of liquid nitrogen to destroy abnormal tissue through freeze-thaw cycles, used for viral warts, actinic keratoses, and benign lesions

"Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy was applied to the actinic keratosis for two ten-second freeze-thaw cycles at the patient's review appointment."

"topical corticosteroid"

A steroid-based cream or ointment applied directly to the skin to reduce inflammation, classified by potency from mild to super-potent

"A moderate-potency topical corticosteroid was prescribed for the acute eczematous flare on the dorsum of the hands."

"biologic therapy"

Targeted immunological agents — commonly monoclonal antibodies — that modulate specific inflammatory pathways in conditions such as psoriasis and atopic dermatitis

"After failing methotrexate, the patient was initiated on an IL-17 inhibitor biologic therapy with near-complete clearance by week 16."

"intralesional injection"

The direct injection of medication — such as corticosteroid or bleomycin — into a skin lesion to achieve local therapeutic effect

"Intralesional triamcinolone acetonide was injected into the hypertrophic scar on the shoulder to reduce itching and improve cosmesis."

"curettage and cautery"

A minor surgical procedure in which superficial skin lesions are scraped away with a curette and the base is treated with electrocautery

"The superficial basal cell carcinoma on the trunk was treated with curettage and cautery under local anaesthesia with good cosmetic outcome."

"presenting complaint"

The primary reason a patient has sought medical attention, described in the patient's own words before clinical assessment

"The presenting complaint was a two-month history of intensely pruritic rash affecting the wrists, ankles, and interdigital spaces."

"differential diagnosis"

A ranked list of possible diagnoses that may account for the patient's history and clinical findings

"The differential diagnosis for this annular, scaly eruption includes tinea corporis, nummular eczema, and psoriasis."

"two-week wait referral"

An urgent referral pathway in the UK requiring a specialist appointment within 14 days for patients with suspected skin cancer

"Given the rapidly changing pigmented lesion, a two-week wait referral to the dermatology clinic was made immediately."

"sun protection counselling"

Structured patient education about minimising ultraviolet radiation exposure through sunscreen, clothing, and behaviour modification

"Comprehensive sun protection counselling was provided, emphasising daily SPF 50 application and avoidance of midday sun."

"disease severity scoring"

Standardised tools such as PASI, EASI, or IGA used to quantify disease burden and monitor treatment response objectively

"A PASI score of 18 at baseline fell to 3 at week 12, representing a PASI 75 response to the biologic agent."

"emollient regimen"

A structured programme of regular moisturiser application prescribed to restore skin barrier function in dry and inflammatory skin conditions

"The nurse specialist explained the emollient regimen, advising application of 500 g per week to maintain adequate skin hydration."

"steroid phobia"

Patients' unfounded fear about topical corticosteroid use that leads to under-treatment and poor therapeutic outcomes

"Addressing steroid phobia was essential during the consultation to ensure the family applied the prescribed ointment consistently."

"follow-up interval"

The time period between clinic appointments, determined by disease severity, treatment plan, and patient safety requirements

"A three-month follow-up interval was agreed to assess treatment response and check for systemic side effects of methotrexate."