Macroscopic Skin Terminology

Question 1

Disruption of epidermis often secondary to itching

Answer 1

Excoriation

Question 2

Thicken, rough skin from repeated rubbing or prolonged excoriation

Answer 2

Lichenification

Question 3

Separation of nail from nail bed

Answer 3

Onycholysis

Question 4

Flat circumscribed lesion distinguished from surrounding skin color (5mm or less)

Answer 4

Macule

Question 5

Flat circumscribed lesion distinguished from surrounding skin color (>5mm)

Answer 5

Patch

Question 6

Elevated, dome shaped lesion (5mm or less)

Answer 6

Papule

Question 7

Elevated, dome shaped lesion (>5mm)

Answer 7

Nodule

Question 8

Elevated flat-topped lesion greater than 5mm across

Answer 8

Plaque

Question 9

Fluid filled raised lesion (5mm or less)

Answer 9

Vesicle

Question 10

Fluid filled raised lesion (>5mm)

Answer 10

Bulla

Question 11

Itchy, transient and elevated lesion

Answer 11

Wheal

Question 12

Pus-filled discrete

Answer 12

Pustule

Question 13

Dry, horny, platelike

Answer 13

Scale

Question 14

Diffuse epidermal hyperplasia of stratum spinosum

Answer 14

Acanthosis

Question 15

Keratinization with retained nuclei in stratum corneum

Answer 15

Parakeratosis

Question 16

Intercellular edema of epidermis

Answer 16

Spongiosis

Question 17

Linear pattern of melanocyte proliferation within epidermal basal cell layer

Answer 17

Lentiginous

Question 18

Abnormal, premature keratinization within cells below stratum granulosum

Answer 18

Dyskeratosis

Question 19

Intercellular detachment (seen in pemphigus)

Answer 19

Acantholysis

Question 20

Projections from hyperplasia + dermal papillae enlargement

Answer 20

Papillomatosis