Glossary
When researching scleroderma, there can be a lot of medical terminology. Here are some useful terms to know.
​Antibody​​​
​A protein made by cells of the immune system that attacks a substance, usually a foreign substance, in the body
Autoimmune Disease
​A disease in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissue, also called connective tissue disease; scleroderma is an autoimmune disease.​
Autoantibody
​A protein made by cells of the immune system that attacks the body’s own tissues.​
Arthritis
Inflammation in the joints​
Anxiety
A feeling of fear or dread. Anxiety disorders are common conditions characterized by a constant excessive worry, feelings of fear, dread, or uneasiness. Other symptoms may include sweating, restlessness, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, trouble sleeping, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, and dizziness. Anxiety disorders are common in scleroderma patients as a result of medical problems or a traumatic or stressful event. Â
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) Test
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A blood test used to look for antibodies that attack healthy cell nuclei, rather than foreign bacteria or virus. This test is used for many autoimmune disorders, but does not a specific diagnosis.
Biopsy
The process of taking a small piece of tissue to examine under a microscope.
Calcinosis
Hard, sometimes painful, calcium deposits in the skin or just below the skin, commonly seen in scleroderma.​
​Carpal Tunnel Syndrome​
Numbness and tingling of the hand due to pressure on the median nerve at the wrist; form of compression neuropathy.​
Connective Tissue
Tissue that supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs in the body. Connective tissue also stores fat, moves nutrients between tissues, and helps repair damaged tissue. Types of connective tissue include bones, cartilage, fat, blood, and lymphatic tissue.
Collagen​
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Cortisone​
A fibrous protein made by cells that provides the firmness in the skin. It forms the lining of the organs, and is the basic structural protein in bones, tendons, ligaments, and joints.​
A powerful anti-inflammatory medication that occurs naturally in low levels in the body. Can also be found as a type of steroid.​
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CT Scan
CREST Syndrome
An acronym that stands for calcinosis, Raynaud’s phenomenon, esophageal dysfunction, sclerodactyly, and telangiectasia. A form of scleroderma.
A non-invasive medical procedure that uses X-rays and a computer to create detailed images inside the body. A CT scan can be used on any part of the body, and may involve a dye to have specific organs show up more clearly.
Dermatology/Dermatologist​
​Depression​​​​
​Digits
Branch of medicine that treats skin diseases. A doctor that treats skin diseases.
A common, but serious mood disorder characterized by feelings of hopelessness, crippling sadness, and low activity. Depression can affect almost all aspects of someone’s life, and there are many variations of depression caused by specific circumstances. Depression is a common symptom of those with a chronic illness.​
​Fingers and toes, often affected by Raynaud’s Phenomenon.
Endocrinology/ Endocrinologist​
The branch of medicine that treats diseases of the glands and hormones. A doctor who specializes in glands and hormones.​
Epidermis​
​​The outermost layer of skin. Scleroderma is primarily a disease of the dermis, the layer of skin beneath the epidermis
Esophagitis​
​En Coup De Sabre
Inflammation of the lining of the esophagus.
A medical term referring to a specific type of linear scleroderma. This condition is where thick patches of skin develop along the forehead and scalp, resembling a sword, hence the name “like a sword thrust” in French.
Fibroblast​​
​Fibrosis
Cell that produces collagen
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Scar tissue buildup that replaces normal tissue.
Gastroenterology/ Gastroenterologist​
​Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)
Branch of medicine that deals with digestive and liver problems.
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​A condition in which stomach acid passes up into the esophagus, usually causing heartburn and damage to the lining of the esophagus
Hyperpigmentation
Too much pigment, or darker-than-normal skin, in specific points on the body.
Interstitial Lung Disease
A chronic group of lung diseases that causes inflammation and scarring in the lung’s tissues.
Linear Scleroderma
A form of localized scleroderma in which the thickened skin is in a pattern of a line on the face or down an arm or leg.
Malabsorption
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Morphea Scleroderma​​
Decreased absorption of nutrients in the bowels. In scleroderma, this is due to decreased bowel motility and overgrowth of bacteria, often resulting in diarrhea and weight loss.​
​​A form of localized scleroderma with hardened, discolored patches of skin that can appear anywhere on the body, but are most common on the face, hands, and feet.​​
​Myositis
​​Muscle Inflammation
Nephrologist/Nephrology​
Branch of medicine specializing in kidney function and health. A kidney doctor.
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​Nailfold Capillary Test
​​A non-invasive test to examine the capillaries in the nailfold area. During the test, a doctor uses a magnifier to examine the skin at the base of the fingernail for signs of abnormal capillaries, such as swelling, loss or abnormal capillaries. This test can often help test for Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Pediatric​
Branch of medicine involving the health and medical care of infants, children, and adolescents.
​Pediatric Scleroderma​
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Scleroderma that affects people less than 18 years old. It is more common for children to experience limited and localized scleroderma, however scleroderma can affect anyone at any age.
Pigmentation
Skin color.
Pulmonary Fibrosis​
Scar tissue buildup in the lungs which inhibits normal function.
Pulmonary Hypertension​
Pulmonary Function Test​
A condition that affects the blood vessels in the lungs. It is often related to autoimmune disorders, and it develops when the blood pressure in your lungs is higher than normal.​
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Tests performed by blowing into an instrument that measures lung volume, airflow, and the ability to get oxygen into the blood.
Prognosis
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The likely outcome of a disease or ailment.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon
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Color changes in the fingers upon cold exposure, usually white, then blue, then red. A common symptom of scleroderma.
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Rheumatology​
​An inflammatory autoimmune arthritis of multiple joints characterized by joint deformity and destruction.
Rheumatoid Arthritis​
The branch of medicine that treats all forms of arthritis and autoimmune diseases. An autoimmune doctor.
​Right Heart Catheterization
A medical test procedure that uses a thin, flexible tube to measure the heart’s pumping ability and the pressures and oxygen levels in the heart. Often used for diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases.
Rodnan Skin Score
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A semiquantitative technique used to measure skin thickness and involvement in systemic sclerosis. A medical professional squeezes the skin around the body using the thumb and index finger. The skin thickness is then scored on a scale of 0-3. 0 being normal, 1 being mild thickness, 2 being moderate thickness, and 3 being severe thickness. The total score will range from 0 to 51.
Sclerodactyly
Sclerosis
Steroid
Subcutaneous​
Sjogren’s Syndrome​
The thickening of the skin on the fingers.
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Process of skin hardening indicative of scleroderma.
Class of hormone that is either anti-inflammatory or one of the sex hormones.
Under the skin.
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A chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s moisture-producing glands to be attacked by the immune system.
Telangiectasias
Small red spots on the skin due to enlargement of tiny blood vessels.
Vasodilator
A medication that relaxes the muscles in the walls of blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.
Ulcers
An open sore on an external or internal surface of the body, caused by a break in the skin or a mucous membrane that fails to heal.