Medical Dermatology Glossary
90 terms total — 18 showing — Last updated 15 Sep 2026
PN PN
Abbreviation for prurigo nodularis, a chronic neuroimmune skin disorder characterised by intensely pruritic hyperkeratotic nodules.
Purpura
Non-blanching discolouration of the skin caused by extravasation of red blood cells into the dermis or subcutaneous tiss...
SCC
Standard abbreviation for squamous cell carcinoma, a common non-melanoma skin malignancy arising from epidermal keratino...
Sebaceous Gland
A holocrine exocrine gland in the dermis that secretes sebum into hair follicles or, in some locations, directly onto th...
Sebaceous Hyperplasia
Benign enlargement of sebaceous gland lobules around a central follicular opening, presenting as yellowish, umbilicated...
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
A chronic, relapsing inflammatory skin condition affecting sebum-rich areas, presenting with greasy scales and erythema,...
SPF
Sun Protection Factor; a numerical measure of how well a sunscreen product protects against UVB-induced erythema, expres...
Spongiosis
Intercellular oedema of the epidermis characterised by fluid accumulation between keratinocytes, widening the intercellu...
Squamous Cell Carcinoma
A malignant tumour arising from epidermal keratinocytes, representing the second most common form of non-melanoma skin c...
Stratum Corneum
The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead, flattened, keratin-filled corneocytes, forming the primary physi...
Striae Distensae
Linear atrophic scars of the dermis resulting from rapid stretching or hormonal changes, commonly known as stretch marks...
Subcorneal Pustule
A sterile pustule located immediately beneath the stratum corneum, characteristically seen in subcorneal pustular dermat...
Subungual
Anatomical modifier meaning 'beneath the nail plate', used to describe lesions, haematomas, infections, or melanomas loc...
Telangiectasia
Permanently dilated small blood vessels (capillaries, venules, or arterioles) visible at the skin surface, appearing as...
Tinea Capitis
A dermatophyte fungal infection of the scalp and hair shafts, predominantly affecting children and characterised by scal...
Trichoscopy
A non-invasive dermoscopic examination technique applied specifically to the scalp and hair shafts for diagnostic purpos...
Vesicle
A small, fluid-filled primary skin lesion measuring up to 10 mm in diameter, containing clear serous fluid.
Wheal
A transient, raised, pale oedematous plaque on the skin with surrounding erythema, characteristic of urticarial reaction...
Xerosis
Pathological dryness of the skin resulting from reduced water content in the stratum corneum, commonly presenting as rou...