Clinical Descriptors

Question 1

Round, pinpoint area of hemorrhage

Answer 1

Petechia

Question 2

Solid, raised lesion less than 5 mm in diameter

Answer 2

Papula

Question 3

Solid, raised lesion greater than 5 mm in diameter

Answer 3

Nodule

Question 4

Focal area of color change. Not elevated or depressed in relation to the surrounding mucosa

Answer 4

Macule

Question 5

Flat lesion that may be slightly elevated in relation to the surrounding mucosa

Answer 5

Plaque

Question 6

Discontinuity of skin/mucosa with COMPLETE loss of epidermis/epithelium revealing connective tissue.

Answer 6

Ulcer

Question 7

What color is an ulcer?

Answer 7

Yellow due to presence of neutrophils

Question 8

Discontinuity of skin/mucosa with INCOMPLETE loss of epidermis/epithelium.

Answer 8

Erosion

Question 9

What color is erosion?

Answer 9

red due to hyperemia due to increased blood flow when epithelium is thinned

Question 10

Superficial border that is less than 5 mm in diameter

Answer 10

Vesicle

Question 11

Blister that is greater than 5 mm in diameter.

Answer 11

Bulla

Question 12

T/F. A vesicle is fluid-filled but a bulla is not.

Answer 12

FALSE. Both are fluid filled.

Question 13

Exhibiting numerous surface projections

Answer 13

papillary

Question 14

rough, warty surface

Answer 14

verrucous

Question 15

broad-based and base is the widest part of the lesion. Used to describe mass lesions.

Answer 15

sessile

Question 16

Narrow base and stalk is more narrow than mass. Used to describe mass lesions.

Answer 16

pedunculated

Question 17

having a tendency to grow outward

Answer 17

exophytic

Question 18

Having a tendency to grow inward

Answer 18

endophytic

Question 19

discrete, pus-filled, raised lesion

Answer 19

pustule

Question 20

narrow/slit-like ulceration or groove

Answer 20

fissure

Question 21

Pathologic cavity that is epithelium lined and often filled with liquid. It is much more commonly seen in bone than in soft tissue.

Answer 21

Cyst