Derm Terms

Question 1

Papules

Answer 1

• small bump ≤ 1 cm

* pimple in acne

Question 2

Macule

Answer 2

• small, flat discoloration, ≤1 cm
• you can see it, but you can’t feel it!
• lentigo

Question 3

Patch

Answer 3

• large flat discoloration, ≥ 1 cm

* bruise

Question 4

Nodule

Answer 4

• large bump with depth in skin

* keloid scar

Question 5

Plaque

Answer 5

• large raised flat topped lesion, ≥ 1 cm
• usually scaly
• psoriasis

Question 6

Vesicle

Answer 6

• small blister, ≤ 1 cm

* herpes

Question 7

Bulla

Answer 7

• large blister, ≥ 1cm

* bullous pemphigoid

Question 8

Pustule

Answer 8

• pus filled bump

* acne

Question 9

Wheal

Answer 9

• raised, smooth topped lesion
• sometimes called “welt”
• urticaria

Question 10

Scale

Answer 10

• roughness at surface
• represents hyperkeratosis
• psoriasis

Question 11

Crust

Answer 11

• dried plasma at surface
• represents epithelial disruption
• eczema

Question 12

Excoriation

Answer 12

•scratched area, often linear

Question 13

Lichenification

Answer 13

• leathery thickening with accentuated skin markings

* chronically rubbed skin of eczema

Question 14

Telangiectasia

Answer 14

• dilated capillaries

* sun-damaged skin

Question 15

Onycholysis

Answer 15

• separation of nail from bed

* onychomycosis

Question 16

Hyperkeratosis

Answer 16

•thickening of stratum corneum

Question 17

Parakeratosis

Answer 17

•retained nuclei in stratum corneum

Question 18

Hypergranulosis

Answer 18

•increase in granular layer

Question 19

Acanthosis

Answer 19

•thickening of epidermis

Question 20

Papillomatosis

Answer 20

•mountain and valley pattern in epidermis

Question 21

Acantholysis

Answer 21

•falling apart of keratinocytes - discohesion

Question 22

Spongiosis

Answer 22

•intercellular edema - between keratinocytes

Question 23

Ballooning

Answer 23

•intracellular edema of keratinocytes

Question 24

Exocytosis

Answer 24

•lymphocytes migrating into epidermis

Question 25

Ulceration

Answer 25

•complete loss of epidermis

Question 26

Acral

Answer 26

•distal portions of limbs and head

Question 27

Dermatomal

Answer 27

•dermatome distribution

Question 28

Extensor surfaces

Answer 28

•area of skin outside of a joint

Question 29

Flexural surfaces

Answer 29

•the side of a joint that folds

Question 30

Intertriginous

Answer 30

•where skin areas touch