/ᐠ. ｡.ᐟ\ᵐᵉᵒʷˎˊ˗Past/Present/Future

This is alphabetical order contains explanations of medical words you may come across on the RCOG website when you see a doctor

We try to use medical jargon as possible in our information for the public to understand. This list was developed by the

LINK: Patient Information Committee | RCOG

with input from the

LINK: RCOG Women's Network | RCOG

We add more terms to this list whenever we published new information for the public. We aim too continually expand and improve this information and welcome your feedback - please email us: at [email protected] with your comments and suggestions.

The explanations in this list are based on information available on the RCOG website and on the following websites:

LINK:

Our groups | Cochrane ~ Cochrane Collaboration Pregnancy and Childbirth Group

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination - Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York

Family Planning Association

Page not found - NHS

Homepage | NICE

MedlinePlus - Health Information from the National Library of Medicine

On to the dictionary ~

A:

Abdomen ~ The tummy area from the lower ribs to the pelvis

Abdominal ~ Of the abdomen

Abortion ~ Ending a pregnancy using either medicine (medical abortion) or an operation (surgical abortion)

Acute ~ Sudden and severe

Adenomyosis ~ Endometriosis in the muscle wall of the uterus.

Adhesions ~ Scars that connects two or more body structures together

Amniocentesis ~ A way of testing the fluids surrounding a baby in the womb by taking a small sample with a needle put into the womb through the abdomen. It can be carried out after 15th week of pregnancy, and can detect some conditions, like Down Syndrome

Amniotic fluid ~ The watery (fluid?) liquid surrounding and protecting the growing fetus in the uterus.

Amniotic sac ~ The pregnancy sac containing the baby and the amniotic fluid. It is also sometimes called "the membranes."

Anaemia ~ A condition in which the level of haemoglobin, the protein in blood which carries oxygen round the body, is lower than normal. It can be mild or severe and can cause tiredness, breathing problems, fainting, headaches, It can also cause your heart to beat faster.

Anesthesia ~ Using medications to stop you feeling sensations, such as pain. This ranges from numbing small parts of your body to using injections (local anesthetics) to putting you to sleep for a procedure or operation (general anesthesia)

Anesthetist ~ A doctor trained to administer anesthetics.

Anal Sphincter ~ The muscles around the anus that is squeezed to present passing wind or opening the bowels involuntarily

Anaphylaxis ~ Anaphylaxis is severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that needs immediate treatment

Anomaly Scan ~ A detailed ultrasound of the scan of the abdomen offered between the 18th and 21st week of pregnancy which checks for physical conditions than may affect your baby. It cannot detect all conditions.

Antiphospholipid syndrome ~ A condition caused by your immune system mistakenly attacking healthy cells in your cells? (body?) It can increase your risk of blood clots and of pregnancy complications such as recurrent miscarriage or stillbirth.

Antenatal (prenatal) ~ Before birth

Anthracyclines ~ Antibiotic drugs used in cancer chemotherapy

Antibiotics ~ Medicines to fight an infection caused by bacteria

Antibody ~ Blood protein that helps fight attacks on the immune system, such as those caused by bacteria and viruses

Anticoagulant medication ~ Medicines to reduce clotting in the blood vessels

Anti-D ~ See (RhD antigen)

Antigen ~ A substance in the blood that helps trigger the immune system to fight off antibodies (See blood group)

Antispasmodic drugs ~ Drugs which relieve cramps or spasms of the stomach, intestines, bladder and womb (uterus)

Anus ~ The opening of the rectum to the outside of the body

Arthritis ~ Painful swelling joints

Assisted birth (Instrumental birth/operative vaginal delivery) ~ When special instructions are given are used to help deliver the baby during the pushing part of labor

Assisted conception/assisted (delivery?) reproductive? techniques (ART) ~ Treatments to help people conceive a baby See also: intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, donor insemination.

Autoimmune response ~ When the body produces (antibodies) which reacts against the body's own tissue

Abscess = a pus-containing skin infection / Acute = of rapid onset / Adipose tissues = found underneath the skin and functions as the major fat storage site / Alopecia = hair loss / Anesthesia = loss of sensation / Annular = ring-shaped / Appendageal = certain structures derived from skin eg, hair, sweat glands and sebaceous glands / Aprocline gland = sweat glands found in areas abundant in hair follicles such as the armpits and prominent (groins) / Arciform = having the shape of an arch / Asymmetrical = an irregular or an uneven shape or pattern eg a skin lesion in which one half looks different to the other, or, a rash that affects one leg much more than the other / Atopy = the genetic tendency to develop the classic allergic conditions of atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis, (hay fever), and asthma / Atrophy = thinning of depression of skin due to a reduction in the amount of underlying tissue / Axilla = armpit

Basement membrane = a layer of membrane that separates the epidermis (upper skin layer) from the dermis (lower skin layer) / Benign = harmless ie non-cancerous / Bilateral = affecting both sides / Biopsy = surgical procedure that involves the removal and examination of the tissue / or cells from the body / Blaschko's line = (the line of the Blaschko's) lines of normal cell development in the skin. These lines are invisible under normal conditions but become apparent when certain skin conditions manifest themselves according to these lines and patterns / Bulla or Bullous (blister) = fluid-filled with lesion more than 0.5 cm in diameter.

Carbuncle or Furuncle = a round, firm and tender boil / Cellulitis = a common deep skin infection caused by bacteria resulting in or localized or spreading area of inflammation / Chronic = persistent for a long time or constantly recurring / Cold sore = a recurrent lesion around the mouth caused by herpes simplex virus / Collagen = a natural protein found in bone, skin, ligaments, and tendons / Connective tissue = a material made up of fibers forming a framework and supporting structure for body tissue and organs / Crust = dried exudate or scab / Cryotherapy or cryosurgery = a dermatological process done by freezing the lesion with liquid nitrogen / Cyst = a deep-seated lesion filled with fluid or pus

Dermatome = a localized area of the skin that has sensation via a single nerve root of spinal cord / Dermatosis = another name for a skin condition that is vital / Discoid = a point on the skin that is further away (often in the respect of the trunk) eg the wrist is more distal than the elbow, and the knee is more distal than the hip. The opposite of distal is proximal / Distribution = the site of the body is affected by lesion or rash / Dorsal = the back of the hand or top of the foot / Drug eruption = a rash cause by injection, ingestion, inhalation, or insertion of a drug / Dystrophy = degeneration or abnormal formation of the skin. It is often used to refer to nail conditions.

Ecchymosis = a bruise / Eccrine gland = the main sweat gland, found at most body sites / Epidermis = upper layers of skin / Enthymeme = a reddening of the skin / Excoriation = a break in the skin caused by scratching / Ex termites = distal limbs, hands and feet

Fissure = a cracking or splitting of the skin / Flare = a worsening of a skin condition / Flexural = a body fold, or, the skin on the inner arms and backs of the leg / Follicular = involving the hair follicles / Fungating = a type of skin lesion that has ulcerations (breaks on the skin), necrosis (death of living tissue) and that usually has a bad smell.

#Dermatology #DermatologyStudy

Common terms used in the General Dermatology Diagnostic Tools

Macules = non-palpable areas of skin change less than 1 cm diameter

Papules = solid elevated lesions less than 0.5 cm diameter

Nodules = solid elevated lesions more than 0.5 diameter

Patches = flat lesions more than 1 cm diameter

Plaques = circumscribed palpable lesions more than 1cm diameter with a flat top

Pustules = small pus-filled lesions

Boils = larger pus-filled blisters

Bullae = large fluid filled blisters

Vesicles = very small fluid-filled blisters

Ulceration = loss of epidermal skin

Necrosis = black non-viable skin

• PCDS Dermatology Dictionary: A comprehensive list of dermatological terms with definitions, including terms like abscess, alopecia, and atrphy. (The Primary Care Dermatology Society)

• Southern Glossary: Contains commonly used key terms and phrases in dermatology to help understand the terminology encountered during visits with dermatologists (soothems.com)

• Dr. Alpana's Glossary: A detailed glossary for medical practitioners and students, covering a wide range of dermatology terms. (This website of the doctor's link didn't work)

• Zoetis Glossary: A glossary prepared to accurately identify and described dermatological lesions and terms.

A good shampoo and conditioner for the scalp is gentle; pH balanced and contains ingredients that tailored to your specific scalp concerns, such as ketoconazole, tea tree oil, or soothing botanicals.

Key Features to Look for:

Gentle and sulfate-free: Avoid harsh sulfates that strips natural oil, which can irritate the skin and worsen dryness or oiliness.

pH-balanced: Helps maintain the scalp's natural barrier and prevents irritation.

Active ingredients for scalp issues:

~ Ketoconazole: Effective for dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis

~ Pyrithione zinc: Common anti-dandruff agent

~ Salicylic acid: Helps exfoliate and reduce build-up

~ The tree oil: Antifungal, and antibacterial properties for oily or flaky scalps

Soothing botanicals: Aloe vera, chamomile, or oat extract can calm sensitive or sensitive skin or irritated scalps

Exfoliating ingredients: AHAs or gentle scrubs can remove dead skins and product buildup

~ Choosing Based on Hair and Scalp Type:

~ Dry/Hair Scalp, Look for moisturizing shampoo and conditioner with keratin can with glycerin, argan oil, or other hydrating ingredients

~ Oily Scalp: Clarifying shampoo and conditioner with tea tree oil or similar agents help controls excessive oil

~ Colored-treated hair: Sulfate-free and coloring-depositing preserve hair color

~ Damage hair: Protein-enriched shampoos with keratin can straighten hair while supporting scalp health

Again GOOGLE: (Some parts are my saying):

Dermatologist Recommendation: shampoo and conditioner are formulated to address specific scalp conditions safely. They may include over-the-counter jobs options for mild dandruff or prescription-grade treatments for severe conditions like psoriasis or rapid hair thinning. Consultation a dermatologist.... ensures the shampoo matches your scalp treatment or type, reducing the risk of irritation and improving overall scalp health.

Practical Tips:

~ Rotate between a gentle everyday shampoo and conditioner as needed

~ Wash hair regularly to remove excesses oils and dead skin cells

~ Manage stress and maintain a healthy routine, as well as stress management can exacerbate scalp issues. By selecting a shampoo and conditioner, you choose with the right combination of gentle cleansing, active ingredients, and soothing botanicals, you can maintain a healthy scalp (YAY!) Especially scalp while addressing specific concerns like dandruff, sensitive, or oil.