Dermatology terms

Question 1

Pruitis

Answer 1

Itching

Question 2

Lesion

Answer 2

Area of altered skin

Question 3

Naevus

Answer 3

Localised malformation of tissue structure

Question 4

Comedone

Answer 4

A plug in sebaceous follicle containing altered sebum, bacteria, cellular debris
Can present:
- open = blackhead
- closed = whitehead

Question 5

Generalised

Answer 5

All over the body

Question 6

Widespread

Answer 6

Extensive

Question 7

Localised

Answer 7

In one area of skin only

Question 8

Flexural

Answer 8

Body folds - groin, neck, behind ears, antecubital fossa, popliteal

Question 9

Extensor

Answer 9

Elbows, shins, knees

Question 10

Pressure areas

Answer 10

Sacrum
Buttocks
Ankles
Heels

Question 11

Dermatome

Answer 11

An area of skin supplied by a single nerve

Question 12

Photosensitive

Answer 12

Affects sun exposed sites such as face, neck and back of hands

Question 13

Koebner phenomenon

Answer 13

A linear eruption occurring at the site of trauma

Question 14

Discrete

Answer 14

Individual lesions separated from each other

Question 15

Confluent

Answer 15

Lesions merging together

Question 16

Linear

Answer 16

In a straight line

Question 17

Target

Answer 17

In concentric rings

Question 18

Annular

Answer 18

In a circle or ring

Question 19

Discoid

Answer 19

A coin shaped/round lesion

Question 20

Erythema

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Purpura

Answer 21

Red/purple (due to bleeding into skin and mucous membranes) which does not blanch on pressure (petechiae - small pinpoint macules) and ecchymoses (larger bruise like patches)

Question 22

Hypopigmentation

Answer 22

Areas of paler skin

Question 23

Depigmentation

Answer 23

Areas of white skin due to absence of melanin

Question 24

Hyperpigmentation

Answer 24

Areas of darker skin (many causes including inflammation)

Question 25

Macule

Answer 25

A flat area of altered colour

Question 26

Patch

Answer 26

A larger area of flat altered colour/texture

Question 27

Papule

Answer 27

Solid raised lesion <0.5cm in diameter

Question 28

Nodule

Answer 28

Solid raised lesion >0.5cm in diameter with a deeper component

Question 29

Plaque

Answer 29

Palpable scaling raised lesion >0.5cm in diameter

Question 30

Vesicle

Answer 30

Raised clear fluid filled lesion <0.5cm in diameter | small blister

Question 31

Bulla

Answer 31

Raised clear fluid filled lesion >0.5cm in diameter | large blister

Question 32

Pustule

Answer 32

Pus containing lesion <0.5cm in diameter

Question 33

Abscess

Answer 33

Localised accumulation of pus in the dermis or subcutaneous tissue

Question 34

Wheal

Answer 34

Transient raised lesion due to dermal oedema

Question 35

Boil/furnucle

Answer 35

Staph infection within or around a hair follicle

Question 36

Carbuncle

Answer 36

Staph infection of adjacent hair follicles (multiple boils/furuncles)

Question 37

Excoriation

Answer 37

Loss of the epidermis following trauma

Question 38

Lichenification

Answer 38

Well defined roughening of the skin with accentuation of skin markings

Question 39

Scales

Answer 39

Flakes of stratum corneum

Question 40

Crust

Answer 40

Rough surface consisting of dried serum, blood, cellular debris and bacteria that has exuded through an eroded epidermis

Question 41

Scar

Answer 41

New fibrous tissue which occurs post wound healing

Question 42

Atrophic scar

Answer 42

Thinning

Question 43

Hypertrophic scar

Answer 43

Hyperproliferation within the wound boundary

Question 44

Keloidal scar

Answer 44

Hyperproliferation outside the wound boundary

Question 45

Ulcer

Answer 45

Loss of the dermis and epidermis

Question 46

Fissure

Answer 46

An epidermal crack usually due to excess dryness

Question 47

Striae

Answer 47

Linear areas which progress from purple to pink to white, with histopathological appearance of a scar (associated with excess glucocorticoid production, use, growth spurts and pregnancy)

Question 48

Alopecia

Answer 48

Hair loss

Question 49

Hirsutism

Answer 49

Androgen dependent hair growth in a female

Question 50

Hypertrichosis

Answer 50

Non-androgen dependent pattern of excessive hair growth

Question 51

Clubbing

Answer 51

Loss of angle between posterior nail fold and nail plate | Associated with suppurative lung disease, IBD and cyanotic heart disease

Question 52

Koilynchia

Answer 52

Spoon shaped depression of the nail plate

Question 53

Onycholysis

Answer 53

Separation of the distal end of the nail plate from the nail bed

Question 54

Pitting

Answer 54

Punctate depressions of the nail plate