Clinical Skin Morphology Flashcards
(51 cards)
Types of skin biopsies
Shave/snip, punch, exisional
Steps of the dermatological exam
What is the primary lesion (color/size), what are the secondary changes, configuration/shape, body distribution
Dermatologic description
Distribution, configuration, color/size primary lesion with +/- secondary change
Primary lesions
Macule, papule, vesicle, pustule, patch, plaque, nodule, tumor/mass, bulla
Macule
Flat and small, can’t feel it, “spot”
Patch
Flat, larger than macules, can’t feel it
Papule
Small, raised lesions, caused by a proliferation of cells in epidermis or superficial dermis
Plaque
Bigger, can feel them, cast a shadow with side lighting, caused by proliferation of cells in epidermis or superficial dermis
Nodule
Usually smaller, deep, palpable, caused by proliferation of cells into the mid-deep dermis or fat, “small knot”
Vesicle
Small, fluid-filled palpable lesion
Bulla
Large, fluid-filled palpable lesion
Pustule
Palpable bump filled with white fluid (pus)
Secondary changes
Scale, crust, excoriation, erosion, ulcer, fissure, lichenification, atrophy, scar
Scale
Accumulated skin (stratum corneum)
Crust
Dried exudate (blood, serum, pus)
Excoriation
Traumatized due to scratching
Erosion
Depression with loss of epidermis (superficial), may occur after vesicle forms and top peels off, may weep fluid and become crusted, does not scar
Ulcer
Depression with loss of epidermis and dermis (deeper), “sore”, usually heal with scarring
Fissure
Linear cleavage
Lichenification
Thickening, accentuated skin lines
Atrophy
Depression, thinning and wrinkling
Scar
Permanent fibrotic change
Vascular/vasculitic indicators
Will not blanch with pressure (diascopy)
Petechiae/petechial
Acute to subacute leakage of capillaries within skin, generally pinpoint to small
