Dermatology Terms

Question 1

Define pruritus

Answer 1

Itching

Question 2

Define lesion

Answer 2

An area of altered skin

Question 3

Define rash

Answer 3

An eruption

Question 4

Define neavus

Answer 4

A localised malformation of tissue structures

Question 5

Define comedone

Answer 5

A plug in a sebaceous follicle containing sebum, bacteria, and cellular debris; can present as either open (blackheads) or closed (whiteheads).

Question 6

Define generalised

Answer 6

All over the body

Question 7

Define Widespread

Answer 7

Extensive

Question 8

Define Localised

Answer 8

Restricted to one area of the skin only

Question 9

Define flexural

Answer 9

Body folds i.e. groin, neck, behind ears, polpiteal and antecubital fossa

Question 10

Define extensor

Answer 10

Knees, elbows, shins

Question 11

Define pressure areas

Answer 11

Sacrum, buttocks, ankles and heels

Question 12

Define dermatome

Answer 12

An area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 13

Define photosensitive

Answer 13

Affects sun-exposed areas such as face, neck and back of hands.

For example, a sunburn.

Question 14

Define Koebner distribution

Answer 14

A linear eruption arising at the site of trauma.

Question 15

Define discrete (configuration)

Answer 15

Individual lesions separated from eachother

Question 16

Define confluent (configuration)

Answer 16

Lesions merging together

Question 17

Define target (configuration)

Answer 17

Concentric rings (like a dart board)

Question 18

Define anular configuation

Answer 18

Like a circle or a ring

Question 19

Define discoid

Answer 19

A coin-shaped/round lesion

Question 20

Define erythema

Answer 20

Redness (due to inflammation and vasodilation) which blanches on pressure.

Question 21

Define purpura

Answer 21

Red or purple colour (due to bleeding into the skin or mucous membrane) which does not blanch on pressure.

Can either be petechiae (small pinpoint macules) or ecchymoses (large, bruise-like patches).

Question 22

Define hypopigmentation

Answer 22

Area(s) of paler skin

Question 23

Define de-pigmentation

Answer 23

White skin due to absence of melanin

Question 24

Define hyperpigmentation

Answer 24

Darker skin which may be due to various causes (e.g. post-inflammatory)

Question 25

Define macule

Answer 25

A flat area of altered skin

Question 26

Define patch

Answer 26

A larger flat area of altered skin

Question 27

Define papule

Answer 27

A small raised lesion (\<0.5cm in diameter)

Question 28

Define nodule

Answer 28

A solid raised region \>0.5cm in diameter with a deeper component.

Question 29

Define plaque

Answer 29

Palpable scailing raised lesion \>0.5cm in diameter

Question 30

Define vesicle

Answer 30

A raised fluid-filled lesion \<0.5cm in diameter.

Question 31

Define bulla

Answer 31

Raised, clear fluid-filled lesion \>0.5cm in diameter.

Question 32

Define pustule

Answer 32

A pus-containing lesion \<0.5cm in diameter

Question 33

Define abscess

Answer 33

Localised accumulation of pus in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue

Question 34

Define w(h)eal

Answer 34

A transient raised lesion due to dermal oedema

Question 35

Define excoriation

Answer 35

Loss of epidermis following trauma

Question 36

Define lichenification

Answer 36

Well defined roughening of the skin with accentuation of skin markings

Question 37

Define Scales

Answer 37

Flakes of stratum corneum

Question 38

Define crust

Answer 38

Rough surface of dried serum, blood, bacteria and cellular debris that has exuded through an eroded epidermis (e.g. from a burst blister).

Question 39

Define pemphigoid and pemphigus

Answer 39

Bullous pemphigoid and pemphigus vulgaris are diseases characterised by bullae. Pemphigoi**d**= **D**eep epidermal junction =\> Tense bullae that don't rupture easily =\> Heal without scarring. Pemphigu**s** = **S**uperficial Separation =\> Intraepidermal Acantholysis =\> Flaccid bullae that rupture easily =\> Infection=\> death if not treated.

Question 40

Define scar

Answer 40

New fibrous tissue which occurs post wound-healing, and may be atrophic (thinning), hypertrophic (hyperproliferation within wound boundary) or kheloidal (hyperproliferation beyond wound boundary).

Question 41

Define ulcer

Answer 41

Loss of epidermis and dermis (heals with scarring)

Question 42

Define fissure

Answer 42

An epidermal crack, often due to excess dryness.

Question 43

Define striae

Answer 43

Linear areas which progress from purple to pink to white, with the histopathological appearance of a scar (associated with excessive steroid usage and glucocorticoid production, growth spurts and pregnancy).