Chapter 2: Cutaneous Signs and Diagnosis

Question 1

What are the primary lesions

Answer 1

Macules
papules
patches
plaques

Question 2

Define papules

Answer 2

are centered in the dermis and maybe concentrated at the orifices of sweat ducts or hair follicles

Question 3

Term for scale capped papules

Answer 3

squamous papules; and the eruption termed “papulosquamous”

Question 4

Vesicopustules

Answer 4

contents are seropurulent

Question 5

Bullae

Answer 5

large vesicles, greater than 1cm

Question 6

Subepidermal bullae

Answer 6

Tense. Will often scar or ulcerate

Question 7

What is Nikolsky sign

Answer 7

a diagnostic maneuver of putting lateral pressure on unblistered skin in a bullous eruption and having the epithelium shear off

Question 8

What is Asboe-Hansens sign

Answer 8

Refers to the extension of a blister to adjacent unflustered skin when pressure is put on the top of a blister

Question 9

What are secondary lesions

Answer 9

There are many kinds, but the most important are:

1. scales
2. crust
3. erosions
4. ulcers
5. fissures
6. scars

Question 10

What are scales

Answer 10

dry or greasy laminated masses of keratin

Question 11

What causes scales

Answer 11

formation of epidermal cell is rapid or the process of normal keratinization is interfered with, pathologic exfoliation results

Question 12

What are micaceous scales

Answer 12

scales with a silver sheen from the trapping for air between layers; characteristic of psoriasis

Question 13

What histologic finding is often associated with scales

Answer 13

parakeratosis

Question 14

What is excoriation

Answer 14

punctate or linear abrasion produced by mechanical means, usually involving only the epidermis but not uncommonly reaching the papillary level of the dermis

Question 15

What are fissures

Answer 15

Occur most commonly when the skin is thickened and inelastic from inflammation, and dryness especially in regions of frequent movement; Chapped lips

Question 16

What are erosions

Answer 16

loss of portions or all layers of the epidermis. Heals withOUT scars

Question 17

Ulcers

Answer 17

Skin loss that penetrates to the dermis, healing involves scarring

Question 18

What are scars

Answer 18

Composed of new connective tissue that replaced lost substance in the dermis or deeper parts as a result of injury or disease as part of the normal reparative process

Question 19

What should be done to all pigmented lesions in infants

Answer 19

All pigmented lesions should be rubbed in an attempt to produce Darrier’s sign (healing) as seen in urticaria pigmentosa

Question 20

What is corymbose arrangement

Answer 20

Small lesions arranged around a larger one

Question 21

What determines skin color

Answer 21

1. Melanin
2. Oxyhemoglobin
3. Reduced hemoglobin
4. Carotene

Question 22

What causes hyper pigmentation following inflammation

Answer 22

Most commonly the result of dermal melanin deposition, but in some conditions such as lichen aureus, is caused by iron.