Skin Terminology

Question 1

A flat non palpable coloured lesion larger than 1cm in size.

Answer 1

Patch.

Examples include : larger areas of vitiligo or early herald patch of pityriasis rosea

Question 2

Palpably raised lesion which is less than 1cm in diameter

Answer 2

Papule. As seen in facial acne

Question 3

Palpably raised lesion more than 1 cm in diameter.

Answer 3

Nodule. For example nodular BCC or a dermatofibroma. Molluscum?

(If you can lunch the lesion between finger and thumb- it is a nodule not a Papule!)

Question 4

A flat topped slightly raised palpably different areas of skin.

Answer 4

Plaque. Eg scaly well defined red plaques of psoriasis

Question 5

Small fluid filled blister less than 0.5cm in diameter

Answer 5

Vesicles.

Eg pompholyx eczema , herpes simplex, herpes zoster, varicella zoster

Question 6

Larger fluid filled blister more than 0.5cm in diameter.

Answer 6

Bulla.

Eg bullous pemphigoid, post burn

Question 7

Accumulation of large number of leukocyte a in epidermis or upper dermis

Answer 7

Pustule

Eg follicular pustule in facial acne or folliculitis

Question 8

Rapid leak of fluid from blood vessels into the dermis causing localised dermal oedema, usually with erythema, resolve within 24 hours

Answer 8

Weal

Eg urticaria

Question 9

Erosion

Answer 9

Surface loss chiefly involving only the epidermis

Question 10

Ulcer

Answer 10

Tissue loss extends into the dermis. Eg leg ulcer

Question 11

Fissure

Answer 11

Narrow deep cleft shaped ulcer (extends to dermis)

Eg angular chelitis, deep fissures found on heels

Question 12

Scale

Answer 12

Flaking of the skin due to loss of damaged / abnormal statum corneum

Question 13

Crust

Answer 13

Dried exudate of blood or serous fluid. Eg impetigo

Question 14

Erythema

Answer 14

Increased redness due to INCREASED FLOW of blood in vessels deep in the skin. Individual vessels not visible

Question 15

Telangiectasia

Answer 15

Presence of visible vessels close to the skin. Eg Rosacea

Question 16

Purpura vs petechiae

Answer 16

Blood that has leaked from dermal blood vessels, does not blanch. Eg vasculitis

Pinpoint spots of purpura

Question 17

Ecchymosis

Answer 17

Extravasated blood in fat and muscle

Question 18

Match the shape and pattern to a condition

Discoid 
Oval
Annular
Target
Serpiginous
Reticulate

Answer 18

Discoid - circular- discoid eczema
Oval- pityriasis rosea herald patch
Annular - ring shape - granular annulare
Target - concentric rings- erythema multiforme. (Sevens Johnson if mucosal involvement)
Serpiginous - wavy - scabies mites burrowing
Reticulate - lace like - parvovirus slapped cheek

Question 19

Arrangements of multiple lesions

Grouped 
Disseminated 
Conluent 
Exanthematous
Erythroderma

Answer 19

Arrangements of multiple lesions

Grouped 
Disseminated 
Conluent 
Exanthematous
Erythroderma

Question 20

A flat non palpable coloured lesion <1 cm in size. Usually red brown or depigmented.

Answer 20

Macule.

Examples are freckle or a solar lentigo