Primary and Secondary Skin Lesions

Question 1

Macule

Answer 1

Circumscribed change in skin color that is flush with the surrounding skin. Lesion is <1.0 cm in diameter. E.g. solar lentigo, traumatic purpura.

Question 2

Patch

Answer 2

Circumscribed change in skin color that is flush with the surrounding skin. Lesion is ﾳ1.0 cm in diameter. E.g. Cafﾎ au lait spot; vitiligo.

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

A solid or cystic elevation <1.0 cm in diameter. E.g. acne; eruptive xanthoma.

Question 4

Nodule

Answer 4

A solid or cystic elevation >1.0 cm but <2.0 cm in diameter. E.g. dermato-fibroma

Question 5

Tumor

Answer 5

A solid or cystic elevation >2.0 cm in diameter. E.g. follicular cyst

Question 6

Plaque

Answer 6

An elevated lesion that is >1.0 cm in diameter. E.g. psoriasis

Question 7

Scale

Answer 7

Desiccated, thin plates of cornified epidermal cells that form flakes on the skin surface. E.g. ichthyosis

Question 8

Wheal

Answer 8

Circumscribed, flat-topped, firm elevation of skin with a well-demarcated and palpable margin. E.g. urticaria

Question 9

Vesicle

Answer 9

Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing clear serous or hemorrhagic fluid that is <1 cm in diameter. E.g. contact dermatitis; herpes simplex.

Question 10

Bulla

Answer 10

Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing clear serous or hemorrhagic fluid that is >2 cm in diameter. E.g. bullous pemphigoid.

Question 11

Pustule

Answer 11

A vesicle containing purulent exudate. E.g. folliculitis

Question 12

Atrophy

Answer 12

A depression from the surface of the skin with underlying loss of epidermal or dermal substance. E.g. lichen sclerosis et atrophicus.

Question 13

Erosion

Answer 13

A depression from the surface of the skin with a loss of all or part of the epidermis. E.g. burn

Question 14

Erosion

Answer 14

Can be a secondary lesion. E.g. ruptured bulla

Question 15

Ulceration

Answer 15

A depression from the surface of the skin with a loss of the entire epidermis and at least some of the dermis. E.g. echtyma

Question 16

Lichenification

Answer 16

Secondary lesion. Dry, leathery thickening of the skin with exaggerated skin markings. E.g. chronic eczema

Question 17

Scar

Answer 17

Secondary lesion. An elevated or depressed area of fibrosis of the dermis or subcutaneous tissue resulting from an antecedent destructive process. E.g. healing wound

Question 18

Fissure

Answer 18

Secondary lesion. A deep linear split in the skin extending through the epidermis. E.g. traumatized eczema

Question 19

Crust

Answer 19

Secondary lesion. Dried exudates of serum, blood, sebum, or purulent material on the surface of the skin. E.g. acute and/or secondarily infected eczema.