Define: macule
flat, non-palpable lesion <1cm
Define: papule
elevated, solid, palpable lesion <1cm in diameter
Define: patch
flat, non palpable lesion >1cm in diameter that arises de novo or through coalescence of macules
Define: Plaque
elevated, solid, palpable lesion >1cm that arises de novo or through coalescence of papules
Define: pustule
pus containing lesion, usually small but can coalesce
- not synonymous with infection!
Define: vesicle
liquid or fluid filled (not pus) lesion that is <1cm in diameter
Define: Bulla
liquid or fluid filled (not pus) lesion that is >1cm in diameter
Define: Nodule
solid, palpable lesion with significant depth. Usually >1cm and extend into the dermis and/or subcutis
Define: Cyst
sac containing fluid or semisolid material (cells or cell products)
usually in the dermis and sub-cutis
Define: erythema nodosum
tender, red nodules on the shins
- have a certain amount of depth
reaction pattern common when a patient is on certain drugs, has chronic disease, or cancer
Define: wheals/hives
transient (<24hours) well circumscribed papules and/or plaques seen in urticaria
Due to dermal edema and are usually pruritic
Define: telangiectasis
dilated superficial dermal vessel
Define: purpura
hemorrhage into the skin –> appears purple
non-blanchable
Define: petechiae
tiny pinpoint purpura present in the dermis
Define: ecchymosis
Larger scale hemorrhage into the skin (ie. bruising)
Define: comedone
dilated pore that contains keratinous debris
- can be open: “blackhead”
- can be closed “whiteheads”
Define: milium
Small superficial white coloured cyst containing keratin (usually <1-2 mm in size)
Define: burrow
small threadlike curvilinear papules that is pathognomonic of scabies.
Will be VERY itchy and can be found on the genitals and hands
Defnine: secondary lesion
lesions that appear as a results of alteration or evolution of a primary lesion (rubbing, scratching, trauma)
Define: scale
accumulation or excess shedding of stratum corneum
present in a broad scale of conditions due to epidermal inflammation
Define: crust
died exudate (blood. serum, pus) on the skin surface (ie. a scab)
Define: lichenification
an increase in skin lines/creases produced by chronic rubbing/scratching
Define: maceration
Softening and whitening of skin that is kept constantly wet
Define: hyperkeratosis
accumulation of keratin on the skin surface, usually adherent and compact
Define: fissure
a linear crack in the skin, often very painful
Define: excoriation
loss of skin due to scratching or picking
Define: erosion
superficial open wound
- loss of epidermis or mucosa only
- usually heals without scarring
Define: ulcer
deeper open wound with partial or complete loss of dermis or submucosa
- usually heals with scarring
Define: atrophy
thinning or diminution of epidermal, dermal, and/or subcutaneous tissue
Present with liner lesions along skin tension lines = striae
Define: hypertrophic scar
overgrowth of scar tissue along the wound boundaries
Define: kelloid
overgrowth of scar tissue that extend well beyond the original wound boundaries
Define: fibrosis/sclerosis
diffuse or circumscribed dermal scarring/thickening
Define: papulosquamous and give an example
elevated lesions and scale
ex: psoriasis
Define: papulopustular and give an example
papules and pustules present
ex: acne or rosacea
Define: maculopapular
small flat and raised lesions simultaneously present
ex: viral exanthems or certain drug reactions
Define: nodulocystic and give an example
nodules and cysts
ex: severe acne
Define: noduloulcerative and give an example
lesion with significant depth that is ulcerative
ex: skin cancer, deep fungal infection
yellow pigmentation of a lesion suggests?
present of a lipid
- ex: xanthelasma, sebaceous hyperplasia
or jaundice
green pigmentation of a lesion usually suggests?
pseudomonas infection
Define: umbilicated
lesion with a central depression
- ex: molluscum contagiousum, and varicella
Define: verrous
rough, warty like structure
Define: serpiginous
s shaped and curvy
Define: erythroderma
condition where >90% of the body is red and inflamed +/- scaling
Define: Koebner phenomenon
typical lesions induced by scratching/trauma. Also known as the isomorphic phenomenon
common in psoriasis