Glossary "A"

ACETONE (ASS ih tone):
Agent which is used as a solvent in topical pharmaceuticals.

ACINI (ASS ih nye):
Plural; singular, acinus. The grape-shaped secretory portion of a gland. The sebaceous gland is made up of acini.

ACNE:
A common inflammatory disease of the facial skin seen most frequently between the ages of 10 and 25 years and characterized by blackheads, whiteheads and blemishes composed of papules and pustules.

ACNE CONGLOBATA:
The severest form of acne, composed of painful, large inflammatory nodules and cysts with subsequent severest scarring; usually seen in males.

ACNE EXCORIÉE DES JEUNES FILLES:
Scratch marks that look like acne but are due to helmets, shoulder pads, orthopedic casts, bra straps and turtle-neck sweaters.

ACNE KELOIDALIS NUCHAE:
Painful, inflammatory papules and pustules with subsequent keloid scarring at the nape of the neck in African-American men.

ACTINIC KERATOSIS (ak TIN ik KER ah TOH sis):
Singular; plural, keratoses. Premalignant lesion caused by cumulative sun exposure. Usually occurs on body areas that receive a lot of sun exposure. Appears as rough, scaling macule or papule.

ACNE VULGARIS (AK nee vul GAR riz):
A disease of the pilosebaceous unit characterized by comedones, pustules, papules, nodules, and cysts. Usually erupts during adolescence, but can continue well into the adult years. The most common skin disease in the United States.

ACROINFUNDIBULUM (AK row IN fun DIB you lum):
The upper part of the infundibulum.

ACRYLATES COPOLYMER (ah KRIL lates koh POL eh mur):
Tiny, highly porous beads used in acrylates copolymer/glycerin complex. In acrylates copolymer/glycerin complex, the hygroscopic humectant glycerin is incorporated into acrylates copolymer beads. The acrylates copolymer/glycerin complex absorbs sebum and releases moisturizing glycerin onto the skin.

ACTIVE:
The active ingredient, or therapeutic drug substance, in a pharmaceutical product.

ACUTE:
A disease or condition with a short course and serious symptoms.

ADAPALENE:
A new retinoid molecule engineered for the treatment of acne vulgaris. It is an original chemical entity discovered and developed by Galderma. Adapalene is a novel naphthoic acid molecule that possesses potent comedolytic and anti-inflammatory properties.

ADRENAL GLANDS (ah DREEN al or ah DREN al):
A pair of small ductless glands located just above the kidneys. The cortex of the adrenal glands secretes the adrenocortical hormones (corticosteroids).

ADRENAL SUPPRESSION:
Condition in which the HPA axis suppresses the secretion of cortisol by the adrenal glands. The most serious possible side effect of topical corticosteroids. Can lead to electrolyte imbalance, suppression of the immune system, and Cushing’s syndrome.

ADRENALINE (ah DREEN ah lin or ah DREN ah lin):
The "fight or flight" hormone. Released by the adrenal glands when the body is in physical or emotional distress.

ADRENOCORTICOTROPHIC HORMONE (ah DREEN oh KOR tih koh TROH fik):
ACTH. Hormone secreted by the pituitary gland. The adrenal glands produce cortisol in response to ACTH.

ADJUNCTIVE (AJ ungk tiv):
Connected in a subordinate (less important) capacity. In medicine, used to describe treatments or preparations that support the main therapy. For example, in an acne treatment regimen that includes benzoyl peroxide gel, an oral antibiotic, and a benzoyl peroxide wash, the benzoyl peroxide wash would be described as an adjunct to therapy, or adjunctive therapy.

AEROSOL (AIR oh sol):
A gaseous suspension of fine solid or liquid particles. Sometimes used as a vehicle for dermatologic drugs.

ALKALINE (AL kah line):
Having a pH greater than 7.5. Most soaps are alkaline.

ALLERGEN (AL er jen):
Substance, such as pollen, that causes an allergic response.

ALLERGIC CONTACT DERMATITIS (al LUR jik CON tack DUR muh TIE tis):
The form of contact dermatitis that is a delayed allergic reaction to an allergen. Characterized by inflammatory papules and vesicles. Poison ivy is a form of allergic contact dermatitis.

ALLERGY (AL lur jee):
An abnormally high sensitivity to certain substances, such as pollen or certain foods.

ALPHA HYDROXY ACID (AL fah high DROK see):
A naturally occurring humectant with antixerotic and antipruritic effects. May help regulate keratinization. Used as an ingredient in dry skin preparations. Examples include lactic acid, malic acid, and glycolic acid.

AMPHOTERIC (AM foh TER ik):
A mild nonirritating surfactant often used in shampoos. Leaves hair manageable and is gentle enough for chemically treated hair.

ANAEROBIC (an air OH bic):
Organism that lives and grows in the absence of oxygen. Propionibacterium acnes is an anaerobic bacterium.

ANAGEN (AN ah jen):
One of the two phases of hair growth. (The other is the telogen phase.) The anagen phase is the active growing phase.

ANATOMY (ah NAT oh mee):
The science that studies the shape and structure of organisms.

ANDROGEN (AN droh jen):
Hormone that stimulates the sebaceous glands to enlarge and increase their secretion of sebum. Implicated in the pathogenesis of acne.

ANOGENITAL (AH no JEN ih tal):
The anal and genital regions.

ANTIBACTERIAL (AN tih back TER ree al):
An agent that destroys or suppresses the growth of bacteria.

ANTIBIOTIC (AN tih by OTT ik):
A chemical substance that kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms. Antibiotics are used topically and systematically in the treatment of acne.

ANTIBODY (AN tih BOD ee):
Molecule produced by B cells that circulates in the bloodstream and neutralizes antigens.

ANTIGEN (AN tih jen):
An invader the immune system recognizes as harmful.

ANTIPROTOZOAL (AN tih pro toh ZOE al):
Agent that kills protozoa, the simplest animals of the animal kingdom.

ANTIPRURITIC:
A medication that stops itch.

APOCRINE SWEAT GLAND (AP poh krin):
Sweat gland responsible for body odor. Located mainly in the armpits and the anogenital area.

ARACHIDONIC ACID (ah RACK ih DON ik):
An unsaturated fatty acid that is the biological precursor of the prostaglandins and the leukotrienes.

ARMAMENTARIUM (ARE mah men TAR ee um):
The drugs, technologies, and other therapeutic resources that support physicians in the practice of their profession.

ASSAY (AS ay):
Test.

ASTEATOTIC ECZEMA (ah STEE ah TOT ik EK zih muh):
Dry skin severe enough to show eczematous changes. More common during the winter months and in the elderly.

ATOPIC DERMATITIS (A TOH pik or ay TOP ik DUR muh TIE tis):
Skin disease characterized by intense itching. Many patients have a history of allergic diseases such as asthma and hay fever.

ATROPHY (AH troh fee):
Thinning of the epidermal and dermal layers. A possible side effect of topical corticosteroids.

AUTONOMIC (AW toe NOM ik):
Involuntary; controlled by the autonomic nervous system.

AXILLA (ak sil LA, singular; plural, axillae AKSIL lee):
Underarm or armpit.

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