Terminology

Question 1

Describe a macule.

Answer 1

Primary lesion

• flat
• <1cm (small)
• must be different color

Question 2

Describe a patch.

Answer 2

Primary lesion

• flat
• >1cm
• must be different color

(large macule)

Question 3

Describe a papule.

Answer 3

Primary lesion

• raised
• <1cm (small)
• no fluid

(raised macule)

Question 4

Describe a nodule.

Answer 4

Primary lesion

• raised (rounded?)
• >1cm (larger)
• no fluid

Question 5

Describe a plaque.

Answer 5

Primary lesion

• raised (plateau-like)
• >1cm (larger)
• no fluid

Question 6

Describe a vesicle.

Answer 6

Primary lesion

• raised
• <1cm (small)
• fluid filled

(fluid filled papule)

Question 7

Describe a pustule.

Answer 7

Primary lesion

• raised
• <1cm (small)
• pus filled

(pus filled vesicle)

Question 8

Describe a bulla.

Answer 8

Primary lesion

• raised
• >1cm
• fluid filled

(large vesicle)

Question 9

Describe a scale.

Answer 9

Secondary lesion

• flaky
• dry

Question 10

Describe a crust.

Answer 10

Secondary lesion

-dried exudate (pus, blood, serous fluid)

Question 11

Describe a fissure.

Answer 11

Secondary lesion

-linear break through epidermis into dermis

(as opposed to ulcer which is a loss

Question 12

Describe an ulcer.

Answer 12

Secondary lesion

-loss of portion of epidermis and some dermis

(as opposed to an erosion which does not go through basement membrane or involve dermis)

Question 13

Describe an erosion.

Answer 13

Secondary lesion

-loss of epidermis (fully or partially), but basement membrane intact

(as opposed to an ulcer which is through basement membrane)

Question 14

Describe an excoriation.

Answer 14

Secondary lesion

-mechanical abrasion

Question 15

Describe a necrosis.

Answer 15

Secondary lesion

-area of dead skin

Question 16

Describe skin atrophy.

Answer 16

Secondary lesion

-thinning of layer(s) of skin

Question 17

Describe lichenification.

Answer 17

• thickening of skin
• exageration of skin markings

Question 18

Describe a scar.

Answer 18

Secondary lesion

• replacement of lost tissue with fibrous tissue
• can be raised or depressed

Question 19

Describe acantholysis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 19

Histologic finding

• seperation of keratinocytes -> vesicles and bullae
• pemphigus vulgaris

Question 20

Describe acanthosis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 20

Histologic finding

• epidermal hyperplasia
• acanthosis nigricans
• psoriasis

Question 21

Describe hypergranulosis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 21

Histologic finding

• thickening of the stratus granulosum
• lichen planus

Question 22

Describe hyperkeratosis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 22

Histologic finding

-thickening of stratum corneum

-psoriasis

Question 23

Describe lentiginous.

Answer 23

Histologic finding

-linear proliferation of melanocytes, limited to basal cell layer

Question 24

Describe parakeratosis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 24

Histologic finding

• retained nuclei in stratum corneum
• psoriasis
• actinic keratosis

Question 25

Describe spongiosis.

Where is it seen?

Answer 25

Histologic finding

• edema of the epidermis
• eczematous dermatitis