Dermatology nomenclature

Question 1

Outline the different skin types

Answer 1

I. Always burns, never tans
II. Always burns, sometimes tans
III. Sometimes burns, always tans
IV. Never burns, always tans

Question 2

Define pruritus

Answer 2

Itching

Question 3

Define lesion

Answer 3

An area of altered skin

Question 4

Define rash

Answer 4

An eruption

Question 5

Define naevus

Answer 5

A localised malformation of tissue structures

Question 6

Define comedone

Answer 6

A plug in a sebaceous follicle containing altered sebum, bacteria, and cellular debris.

May be open (blackhead) or closed (whitehead).

Question 7

List terms used to describe the distribution of a lesion

Answer 7

Generalised: all over body
Widespread: extensive
Localised
Flexural
Extensor
Pressure areas
Dermatome
Photosensitive: sun-exposed areas
Koebner phenomenon: linear eruption at sites of trauma

Question 8

List terms used to describe the configuration of a lesion

Answer 8

Discrete
Confluent: merging together
Linear
Target: concentric rings e.g. erythema multiforme
Annular: circle/ring e.g. tinea corporis
Discoid: coin-shaped/round

Question 9

Define erythema

Answer 9

Redness which blanches on pressure

Due to inflammation and vasodilatation

Question 10

Define purpura

Answer 10

Red or purple colour which does not blanch on pressure

Due to bleeding into the skin or mucous membrane

Question 11

Define petechiae

Answer 11

Small pinpoint macules

Question 12

Define ecchymoses

Answer 12

Large bruise-like patches

Question 13

List terms used to describe the colour of a lesion

Answer 13

Erythema
Purpura
Hypopigmentation
Depigmentation e.g. vitiligo
Hyperpigmentation

Question 14

Define macule

Answer 14

A flat area of altered colour

Question 15

Define patch

Answer 15

A large flat area of altered colour or texture

Question 16

Define papule

Answer 16

Solid raised lesion <5mm in diameter

Question 17

Define nodule

Answer 17

Solid raised lesion >5mm in diameter

Question 18

Define plaque

Answer 18

Palpable scaling raised lesion >5mm in diameter

Question 19

Define vesicle

Answer 19

Raised, clear fluid-filled lesion <5mm in diameter

Question 20

Define bulla

Answer 20

Raised, clear fluid-filled lesion >5mm in diameter

Question 21

Define pustule

Answer 21

Pus-containing lesion <5mm

Question 22

Define abscess

Answer 22

Localised accumulation of pus in the dermis or subcutaneous tissues

Question 23

Define wheal

Answer 23

Transient raised lesion due to dermal oedema e.g. urticaria

Question 24

Define boil/furuncle

Answer 24

Staphylococcal infection around/within a hair follicle

Question 25

Define carbuncle

Answer 25

Staphylococcal infection of adjacent hair follicles (multi boils/furuncles)

Question 26

List secondary skin lesions

Answer 26

Excoriation
Lichenification
Scales e.g. silver scales in psoariasis
Crust
Scar: atrophic, hypertropic, keloid
Ulcer: loss of epidermis and dermis
Fissure: epidermal crack
Striae: linear scar-like purple to pink to white

Question 27

Define alopecia

Answer 27

Loss of hair

Question 28

Define hirsutism

Answer 28

Androgen-dependent hair growth

Question 29

List terms used to describe nail changes

Answer 29

Clubbing
Koilonychia (spoon): iron deficiency anaemia
Oncyolysis: separation of nail from nail bed - psoriasis
Pitting: psoriasis