Derm Vocab

Question 1

Excoriation

Answer 1

Traumatic lesion breaking the epidermis and causing a raw linear area (a deep scratch), often self-induced

Question 2

Lichenification

Answer 2

Thickened, rough skin (similar to lichen on a rock), usually d/t repeated rubbing

Question 3

Macule, patch

Answer 3

Circumscribed flat lesion distinguished from its surroundings by color

Macule < 5mm
Patch > 5mm

Question 4

Onycholysis

Answer 4

Separation of nail plate from nail bed

Question 5

Papule, nodule

Answer 5

Elevated lesion, papule < 5mm across, nodule > 5mm across

Question 6

Plaque

Answer 6

Elevated lesion, > 5mm across, may be d/t coalescent papules

Question 7

Pustule

Answer 7

Discrete pus-filled raised lesion

Question 8

Scale

Answer 8

Dry, horny, platelike outgrowth d/t imperfect cornification

Question 9

Vesicle, Bulla, Blister

Answer 9

Fluid-filled raised lesion, blister = both

• vesicle < 5 mm
• bulla > 5 mm

Question 10

Wheal

Answer 10

Itchy, transient, elevated lesion w/ variable blanching and erythema d/t dermal edema

Question 11

Acanthosis

Answer 11

Diffuse epidermal hyperplasia

Question 12

Dyskeratosis

Answer 12

Abnormal, premature keratinization within cells below the stratum granulosum

Question 13

Erosion

Answer 13

Discontinuity of the skin showing incomplete loss of the epidermis

Question 14

Exocytosis

Answer 14

Infiltration of the epi by inflammatory cells

Question 15

Hydropic swelling (ballooning)

Answer 15

Intracellular edema of keratinocytes, often seen in viral infections

Question 16

Hypergranulosis

Answer 16

Hyperplasia of the stratum granulosum d/t intense rubbing

Question 17

Hyperkeratosis

Answer 17

Thickening of the stratum corneum, often associated w/ qualitative abnormality of the keratin

Question 18

Lentiginous

Answer 18

Linear pattern of melanocyte proliferation within the epidermal basal cell layer

Question 19

Papillomatosis

Answer 19

Surface elevation d/t hyperplasia and enlargement of contiguous dermal papillae

Question 20

Parakeratosis

Answer 20

Keratinization w/ retained nuclei in the stratum corneum, normal on mucous membranes

Question 21

Spongiosis

Answer 21

Intracellular edema of the epidermis

Question 22

Ulceration

Answer 22

Discontinuity of the skin showing complete loss of the epi and revealing dermis or subcutis

Question 23

Vacuolization

Answer 23

Formation of vacuoles w/i or adjacent to cells, often seen along basal cell-basement membrane area