Terminology

Question 1

Define macule

Answer 1

flat area of colour change
often due to pigmentary change

Question 2

Define papule

Answer 2

solid raised lesion <0.5cm diameter

Question 3

Define nodule

Answer 3

solid raised lesion >0.5cm diameter

Question 4

Define plaque

Answer 4

palpable scaling raised lesion
diameter greater than height

Question 5

Define vesicle

Answer 5

raised, clear, fluid-filled lesion <0.5cm diameter
within or beneath epidermis

Question 6

Define bulla

Answer 6

raised, clear, fluid-filled lesion >0.5cm diameter

Question 7

Define pustule

Answer 7

vesicle with pus

Question 8

Define wheal

Answer 8

cutaneous oedema

Question 9

Define lichenification

Answer 9

well-defined roughening of skin with accentuation of skin markings

Question 10

Define erythema

Answer 10

redness that blanches on pressure

Question 11

Define Koebner’s phenomenon

Answer 11

appearance of new skin lesions on previously unaffected skin secondary to trauma

Question 12

Define abscess

Answer 12

localised accumulation of pus

Question 13

Define striae

Answer 13

stretch marks

Question 14

Define fissure

Answer 14

split in epidermis extending to dermis

Question 15

Define generalised

Answer 15

all over body

Question 16

Define widespread

Answer 16

extensive

Question 17

Define localised

Answer 17

restricted to one area of body

Question 18

Define flexural

Answer 18

body folds eg. groin, neck, antecubital fossa

Question 19

List some extensor surfaces

Answer 19

knees, elbows, shins etc.

Question 20

List some pressure areas

Answer 20

sacrum, buttocks, ankles, heels

Question 21

Define dermatomal

Answer 21

area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 22

Define photosensitive

Answer 22

affects sun-exposed areas eg. face, neck, back of hands

Question 23

Define discrete

Answer 23

individual lesions separate from each other

Question 24

Define confluent

Answer 24

merging together

Question 25

Define linear

Answer 25

in a line

Question 26

Define cluster

Answer 26

grouped together

Question 27

Define target

Answer 27

concentric rings (eg. erythema multiforme)

Question 28

Define annular

Answer 28

like a ring or circle

Question 29

Define discoid

Answer 29

coin-shaped

Question 30

Define serpiginous

Answer 30

like a snake

Question 31

Define reticulate

Answer 31

like a net (eg. livedo reticularis)

Question 32

Define stellate

Answer 32

star-like (eg. healing leg ulcer)

Question 33

Define purpura

Answer 33

red or purple colour which does not blanch - petechiae (pinpoint) - ecchymoses (bruise like patches)

Question 34

Define hypopigmentation

Answer 34

paler skin (eg. pityriasis)

Question 35

Define depigmentation

Answer 35

absence of melanin

Question 36

Define hyperpigmentation

Answer 36

darker skin (eg. melasma)

Question 37

Define patch

Answer 37

larger flat area of altered colour or texture

Question 38

Define cyst

Answer 38

circumscribed tumour containing semi-solid or liquid material

Question 39

Define well-demarcated

Answer 39

clear border

Question 40

Define erosion and ulcer

Answer 40

erosion = loss of epidermis ulcer = loss of epidermis and dermis

Question 41

Define excoriation

Answer 41

loss of epidermis induced by scratching

Question 42

Define scale

Answer 42

flaking from epidermis

Question 43

Define crust

Answer 43

collection of inflammatory cells and serum on the surface (eg. golden crust in impetigo)

Question 44

SCAM mnemonic for describing a lesion

Answer 44

S = size, shape C = colour A = associated secondary change M = morphology, margin (border)

Question 45

Define keratotic

Answer 45

collection of dead skin cells

Question 46

ABCDE mnemonic for pigmented lesions

Answer 46

A = asymmetry B = border (irregular) C = colour (2 or more) D = diameter (>6mm) E = evolution