2a. Dermatological Terms

Question 1

Distribution

Answer 1

Which areas are affected

Question 2

Configuration

Answer 2

How the lesions are arranged

Question 3

Morphology

Answer 3

What the lesions look like

Question 4

Nail pitting

Answer 4

small depression of the nail plate

Question 5

Onycholysis

Answer 5

Separation of nail plate from nail bed

Question 6

Hypertrichosis

Answer 6

General excess hair growth

Question 7

Hirsutes

Answer 7

Excess hair growth in the ,ale patter (this can occur when there are females with typical male facial hair)

Question 8

Alopecia

Answer 8

Loss of hair

Question 9

Purpura

Answer 9

Extravasation of blood that will not blanche and may be raised - this is caused by internal bleeding from small blood vessels - THINK MENINGITIS

Question 10

Petechia

Answer 10

1-2mm area of flat purpura

Question 11

Erythema

Answer 11

Vascular dilatation that blanches on pressure - this is usually a result of injury - THINK HIVES AND URTICARIA

Question 12

Hyperpigmentation

Answer 12

Areas of excess melanin production

Question 13

Hypopigmentation

Answer 13

Areas with a lack of melanin production

Question 14

Melasma

Answer 14

A common acquired skin disorder that presents as a bilateral, blotchy, brownish facial pigmentation

Question 15

Macule

Answer 15

Localised flat area of colour change <1cm

Question 16

Patch

Answer 16

Localised are of colour change >1cm

Question 17

Papule

Answer 17

Localised area of elevation <0.5cm

Question 18

Nodule

Answer 18

Localised elevated area >0.5cm

Question 19

Plaque

Answer 19

Raised edge and flatter surface >1cm

Question 20

Pustule

Answer 20

Pus filled

Question 21

Vesicle

Answer 21

Fluid filled <0.5cm

Question 22

Bulla

Answer 22

Fluid filled >0.5cm

Question 23

Wheal

Answer 23

Compressible dermal swelling - THINK URTICARIA

Question 24

Cyst

Answer 24

Nodule containing semi-solid material

Question 25

Target Lesion

Answer 25

A rash with central clearing - typical of erythema multiformis

Question 26

Scale

Answer 26

Accumulated fragments of keratin layer

Question 27

Crust

Answer 27

Dried exudate

Question 28

Lichenified

Answer 28

Thickenings with increased skin markings - think like the bark of a tree

Question 29

Keliod scarring

Answer 29

Keloid scars are usually: shiny. hairless. raised above surrounding skin. hard and rubbery. red or purple at first, before becoming brown or pale.

Question 30

Scar

Answer 30

Normal tissue replaced by fibrous tissue

Question 31

Fissures

Answer 31

Linear split in the epidermis

Question 32

Erosion

Answer 32

Superficial break in the epidermis - like a graze

Question 33

Ulcer

Answer 33

Deeper break into the dermis

Question 34

Atrophy

Answer 34

Loss of epidermis and possibly the dermis