Cutaneous Gross Anatomy

Question 1

Define: macule

Answer 1

flat, non-palpable lesion <1cm

Question 2

Define: papule

Answer 2

elevated, solid, palpable lesion <1cm in diameter

Question 3

Define: patch

Answer 3

flat, non palpable lesion >1cm in diameter that arises de novo or through coalescence of macules

Question 4

Define: Plaque

Answer 4

elevated, solid, palpable lesion >1cm that arises de novo or through coalescence of papules

Question 5

Define: pustule

Answer 5

pus containing lesion, usually small but can coalesce

- not synonymous with infection!

Question 6

Define: vesicle

Answer 6

liquid or fluid filled (not pus) lesion that is <1cm in diameter

Question 7

Define: Bulla

Answer 7

liquid or fluid filled (not pus) lesion that is >1cm in diameter

Question 8

Define: Nodule

Answer 8

solid, palpable lesion with significant depth. Usually >1cm and extend into the dermis and/or subcutis

Question 9

Define: Cyst

Answer 9

sac containing fluid or semisolid material (cells or cell products)

usually in the dermis and sub-cutis

Question 10

Define: erythema nodosum

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Define: wheals/hives

Answer 11

transient (<24hours) well circumscribed papules and/or plaques seen in urticaria

Due to dermal edema and are usually pruritic

Question 12

Define: telangiectasis

Answer 12

dilated superficial dermal vessel

Question 13

Define: purpura

Answer 13

hemorrhage into the skin –> appears purple

non-blanchable

Question 14

Define: petechiae

Answer 14

tiny pinpoint purpura present in the dermis

Question 15

Define: ecchymosis

Answer 15

Larger scale hemorrhage into the skin (ie. bruising)

Question 16

Define: comedone

Answer 16

dilated pore that contains keratinous debris

• can be open: “blackhead”
• can be closed “whiteheads”

Question 17

Define: milium

Answer 17

Small superficial white coloured cyst containing keratin (usually <1-2 mm in size)

Question 18

Define: burrow

Answer 18

small threadlike curvilinear papules that is pathognomonic of scabies.

Will be VERY itchy and can be found on the genitals and hands

Question 19

Defnine: secondary lesion

Answer 19

lesions that appear as a results of alteration or evolution of a primary lesion (rubbing, scratching, trauma)

Question 20

Define: scale

Answer 20

accumulation or excess shedding of stratum corneum

present in a broad scale of conditions due to epidermal inflammation

Question 21

Define: crust

Answer 21

died exudate (blood. serum, pus) on the skin surface (ie. a scab)

Question 22

Define: lichenification

Answer 22

an increase in skin lines/creases produced by chronic rubbing/scratching

Question 23

Define: maceration

Answer 23

Softening and whitening of skin that is kept constantly wet

Question 24

Define: hyperkeratosis

Answer 24

accumulation of keratin on the skin surface, usually adherent and compact

Question 25

Define: fissure

Answer 25

a linear crack in the skin, often very painful

Question 26

Define: excoriation

Answer 26

loss of skin due to scratching or picking

Question 27

Define: erosion

Answer 27

superficial open wound - loss of epidermis or mucosa only - usually heals without scarring

Question 28

Define: ulcer

Answer 28

deeper open wound with partial or complete loss of dermis or submucosa - usually heals with scarring

Question 29

Define: atrophy

Answer 29

thinning or diminution of epidermal, dermal, and/or subcutaneous tissue Present with liner lesions along skin tension lines = striae

Question 30

Define: hypertrophic scar

Answer 30

overgrowth of scar tissue along the wound boundaries

Question 31

Define: kelloid

Answer 31

overgrowth of scar tissue that extend well beyond the original wound boundaries

Question 32

Define: fibrosis/sclerosis

Answer 32

diffuse or circumscribed dermal scarring/thickening

Question 33

Define: papulosquamous and give an example

Answer 33

elevated lesions and scale ex: psoriasis

Question 34

Define: papulopustular and give an example

Answer 34

papules and pustules present ex: acne or rosacea

Question 35

Define: maculopapular

Answer 35

small flat and raised lesions simultaneously present ex: viral exanthems or certain drug reactions

Question 36

Define: nodulocystic and give an example

Answer 36

nodules and cysts ex: severe acne

Question 37

Define: noduloulcerative and give an example

Answer 37

lesion with significant depth that is ulcerative ex: skin cancer, deep fungal infection

Question 38

yellow pigmentation of a lesion suggests?

Answer 38

present of a lipid - ex: xanthelasma, sebaceous hyperplasia or jaundice

Question 39

green pigmentation of a lesion usually suggests?

Answer 39

pseudomonas infection

Question 40

Define: umbilicated

Answer 40

lesion with a central depression | - ex: molluscum contagiousum, and varicella

Question 41

Define: verrous

Answer 41

rough, warty like structure

Question 42

Define: serpiginous

Answer 42

s shaped and curvy

Question 43

Define: erythroderma

Answer 43

condition where >90% of the body is red and inflamed +/- scaling

Question 44

Define: Koebner phenomenon

Answer 44

typical lesions induced by scratching/trauma. Also known as the isomorphic phenomenon common in psoriasis