Glossary "F"

FEE-FOR-SERVICE:
Form of delivery of medical services in which the patient and insurance carrier are billed for each medical procedure carried out.

FETOTOXICITY (FEE toh tok SIS ih tee):
Toxicity to the fetus.

FIBROBLAST (FYE broh blast):
The most plentiful dermal cell. Synthesizes collagen, elastin fibers, and ground substance.

FILAGGRIN (fill LAG grin):
Epidermal protein contained in keratohyalin granules.

FISSURE (FISH your):
A thin but deep linear split in the epidermis that extends into the dermis. Severe dry skin can have fissures.

FLEXOR:
A muscle which aids in bending a body part.

FLUORINATION (FLU oh rih NAY shun):
A method of manipulating the steroid molecule to increase potency. Fluorination involves adding a fluorine ion and is a method of halogenation.

FLUSHING:
A bright red appearance of the face and chest produced by intermittent dilatation of the small blood vessels of skin caused by physical stimulation, i.e., drinking a hot beverage/alcohol, eating spicy foods or environmental temperature extremes.

FOLLICULITIS (fol LIK you LYE tis):
Infection of the hair follicles. A possible side effect of topical corticosteroids.

FOLLICLE (FOL li kul):
A small sac. For example, the hair follicle is a stratum corneum lined sac that extends into the dermis and contains the hair bulb.

FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION:
The federal agency that regulates the development, approval, and marketing of drugs in the United States.

FORMULARY (FOR mu LAR ee):
List of drugs that a pharmacy stocks and dispenses. Institutions such as HMOs and VA hospitals, which run their own pharmacies, often use a formulary, and physicians practicing in these institutions can prescribe only drugs that are on the formulary.

FREE FATTY ACIDS:
Produced when enzymes arising from Propionibacterium acnes hydrolyze sebum triglycerides. Implicated in the pathogenesis of acne.

FUNGUS (FUNG gus):
A primitive plant responsible for a range of cutaneous infections.

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