Common Dermatologic Terms

Question 1

Alopecia

Answer 1

Hair loss; it may be partial or complete

Question 2

Annular

Answer 2

Ring-shaped lesions

Question 3

Cyst

Answer 3

A soft, raised, encapsulated lesion filled with semisolid or liquid contents

Question 4

Herpetiform

Answer 4

Grouped lesions

Question 5

Lichenoid

Answer 5

Violaceous to purple, polygonal lesions

Question 6

Milia

Answer 6

Small firm white papules filled with keratin

Question 7

Morbilliform

Answer 7

Generalized small erythematous macules and or papules that resemble lesions seen in measles

Question 8

Nummular

Answer 8

Coin-shaped lesions

Question 9

Poikiloderma

Answer 9

Skin that displays variegated pigmentation, atrophy, and teleangiectases

Question 10

Polycyclic

Answer 10

A configuration of skin lesions formed from coalescing rings or incomplete rings

Question 11

Pruritus

Answer 11

Sensation that elicits the desire to scratch.

Often the predominant symptom of inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis)

Also in systemic conditions including chronic renal disease, cholestasis, pregnancy, malignancy, thyroid disease, polycythemia vera, and delusions of parasitosis.