Final answer:
The term 'tinea' refers to ringworm, a fungal infection on the skin that can present as a red circular rash. It is not caused by worms but by fungi that thrive on keratin.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medical term tinea is known as ringworm. Tinea is a group of cutaneous mycoses which are fungal infections that affect the skin. Different types of tinea infections are named based on the location of the body they affect, such as tinea corporis (ringworm on the body), tinea capitis (ringworm on the scalp), tinea pedis (athlete's foot), and tinea barbae (barber's itch). These conditions are caused by dermatophytes, which are fungal molds that require the protein keratin found in skin, hair, and nails for growth. Notably, the term ringworm can be misleading as it is not caused by a worm but rather by a fungal infection that typically presents as a red circular rash with a raised edge.