Early Clinic Vocab

Question 1

Lesion

Answer 1

A general term to denote a pathologic or traumatic change in the tissue. It is not descriptive.

Question 2

Macule

Answer 2

Focal area of color change not elevated or depressed in relation to its surroundings; flat

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

Solid, raised lesion less than 5mm in diameter

Question 4

Nodule

Answer 4

Solid, raised lesion greater than 5mm in diameter

Question 5

Erythema

Answer 5

Red in color; a common but non-specific sign of irritation, injury or inflammation caused by dilation of superficial blood vessels

Question 6

Erythematous

Answer 6

Relating to or marked by erythema

Question 7

Sessile

Answer 7

Base is the widest part of an elevated lesion

Question 8

Pedunculated

Answer 8

Base of an elevated lesion is narrower than the widest part

Question 9

Papillary

Answer 9

Exhibiting numerous surface projections

Question 10

Verrucous

Answer 10

Exhibiting a rough, warty surface

Question 11

Erosive

Answer 11

Superficial, partial or total loss of surface epithelium; may arise secondarily from rupture of bulla (blister)

Question 12

Ulcerated

Answer 12

Loss of surface epithelium down to the connective tissue, often appears depressed

Question 13

Fissure

Answer 13

Narrow, slit-like ulceration or groove

Question 14

Plaque

Answer 14

Slightly elevated and generally flat

Question 15

Petechia(e)

Answer 15

Flat, round, pinpoint area(s) of hemorrhage, usually 3mm or less

Question 16

Purpura

Answer 16

Hemorrhage into the skin, larger than petechia, but less than 1cm

Question 17

Ecchymosis

Answer 17

Flat area of hemorrhage larger than 1cm; bruise

Question 18

Vesicle

Answer 18

Fluid-filled, elevated, superficial, 5mm or less in diameter

Question 19

Bulla

Answer 19

Fluid-filled, elevated, superficial, greater than 5mm in diameter

Question 20

Pustule

Answer 20

Superficial, circumscribed cavity filled with pus (purulent exudate)

Question 21

Indurated

Answer 21

Hardened

Question 22

Fluctuant

Answer 22

Wavelike on palpation due to liquid content

Question 23

Copious

Answer 23

Present in large quantity

Question 24

Dermatoglyphics

Answer 24

Lines forming a skin pattern

Question 25

Crenated

Answer 25

Scalloped

Question 26

Varicose

Answer 26

Abnormally swollen, distended or dilated

Question 27

Scale

Answer 27

Flakes of retained surface keratin

Question 28

Crust

Answer 28

Dried blood, serum or purulent exudate (pus) on the skin surface

Question 29

Size

Answer 29

Use a periodontal probe or milimeter/centimeter ruler (yeah, idiotic)

Question 30

Site

Answer 30

Specificity is key (ie. right buccal mucosa at the line of occlusion near the commissure)

Question 31

Shape

Answer 31

Round, oval, irregular, linear, triangular, lacy, crenated, etc.

Question 32

Surface

Answer 32

Raised, flat, fissured, smooth, ragged, cobblestone, plaque, petechiae, purpura, ecchymosis, elevated, depressed, ulcerated, crust, erosive, papillary, verrucous, pustule, vesicle, bulla, etc.

Question 33

Symmetry

Answer 33

Can pertain to symmetry of the lesion itself or whether the findings are, or are not bilaterally symmetrical

Question 34

Color

Answer 34

Use this as descriptor

Question 35

Borders/Margin

Answer 35

Well-defined, blended, discrete, crisply defined, irregular, scalloped, etc.

Question 36

Mode of attachment

Answer 36

Sessile, pedunculated, broad based, narrow based

Question 37

Consistency

Answer 37

Firm, fluctuant, soft, indurated, hard, bony hard, rubbery, thick, viscous, watery, thin, etc.

Question 38

Number

Answer 38

1, 2, 3, 7000, solitary, multiple, scattered

Question 39

Distribution

Answer 39

Solitary, widespread

Question 40

Size (on radiographic)

Answer 40

Can be measured in mm or cm, but may best be described by the anatomic position of the boundaries,

Question 41

Position

Answer 41

Localized, generalized, unilateral, bilateral, mandible, maxilla, relation to the crown and/or root

Question 42

Shape

Answer 42

Oval, round, scalloped, scooped, triangular, tear-drop, expansile

Question 43

Border

Answer 43

Well-demarcated, corticated, well-defined, ill-defined, blended, radiopaque, radiolucent, thick, thin, radiolucent rim

Question 44

Density and internal structure

Answer 44

Completely radiolucent, completely radiopaque, mixed radiolucent-radiopaque, septae, unilocular, multilocular

Question 45

Effect(s) on adjacent structures

Answer 45

Expansion, resorption, displacement