Prefixes/ Suffixes
This prefix means above or over, as in epidermis.
What is epi-?
This is the layer you see when you look at your skin.
What is the epidermis?
This root means skin and is found in words like dermatitis.
What is derm / dermat?
This common skin condition causes red, itchy patches often triggered by allergies or irritants.
What is eczema (atopic dermatitis)?
This abbreviation refers to a skin biopsy done with a small circular blade.
What is a Punch BX (biopsy)?
This suffix means inflammation, as in dermatitis.
What is -itis?
This layer contains most of the skin’s sensory receptors.
What is the dermis?
This root means nail, as in onychomycosis, a fungal nail infection.
What is onych?
This fungal infection, often shaped like a circle, is misleadingly named after a worm.
What is ringworm?
This abbreviation stands for a skin condition caused by methicillin-resistant bacteria.
What is MRSA?
This suffix means surgical removal, as in dermabrasion (abrasion of the skin) or dermectomy.
What is -ectomy?
This protein found in the epidermis makes skin tough and water-resistant.
What is keratin?
This root means sweat, seen in hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating).
What is hidr?
This viral skin infection causes painful blisters along a nerve pathway and is related to chickenpox.
What is shingles?
This abbreviation stands for the most common type of skin cancer, often linked to sun exposure.
What is BCC (basal cell carcinoma)?
This prefix means blue, used in cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin).
What is cyan-?
These glands in the dermis produce oil to keep skin and hair moisturized.
What are sebaceous glands?
This root means red, used in terms like erythematous.
What is erythr?
This autoimmune disorder speeds up cell turnover and creates thick, scaly skin plaques.
What is Psoriasis?
This abbreviation stands for a common inflammatory condition that causes dandruff and red, scaly patches.
What is SD (seborrheic dermatitis)?
This prefix means under or below, as in hypodermis.
What is hypo-?
This deeper region of the dermis contains thick bundles of collagen and provides most of the skin’s toughness.
What is the reticular dermis?
This root refers to oil, found in sebaceous gland.
What is seb?
This condition involves the death of tissue due to lack of blood flow or severe infection.
What is necrosis (or gangrene)?
This abbreviation refers to a rare but serious bacterial skin infection that destroys tissue rapidly.
What is NF (necrotizing fasciitis)?