Dermatology - Terminology Flashcards
What size defines a ‘small’ primary lesion?
<0.5cm in diameter
What size defines a ‘large’ primary lesion?
>0.5cm in diameter
What is a small, flat lesion called?
A macule
What is a large, flat lesion called?
A patch
What is a small, raised lesion that contains no visible fluid called?
Papule
What is a large, raised lesion called?
Plaque - usually flat topped
What is a small, raised lesion filled with fluid called?
A vesicle
What is a large raised lesion called with a deeper component?
A nodule
What is a small, raised lesion filled with pus called?
A pustule
What is a large, raised lesion filled with fluid called?
Bulla
Define crust
Dried exudate (i.e. serum, blood, pus) on the skin surface
Define scale
The accumulation or excess shedding of the stratum corneum
Define excoriation
Loss of skin due to scratching or picking
Define lichenification
Increase in skin lines and creases from chronic rubbing
Define an erosion
A linear crack in the skin, often very painful
Define a fissure
Superficial, open wound with a loss of epidermis or mucosa only
What is a deep open wound with a partial or complete loss of epidermis or submucosa called?
Ulcer
What part of the skin is lost in a fissure vs an ulcer?
Fissure → loss of epidermis or mucosa only
Ulcer → partial/complete loss of dermis or submucosa
Define a wheal
Short lived (<24 hours), oedematous, well circumscribed papule or plaque seen in urticaria.
What condition are wheals seen in?
Urticaria
What is urticaria?
a raised, itchy rash that appears on the skin
Define telangiectasia
Dilated, superficial dermal vessels
Define atrophy of the skin
Thinning of the epidermal and/or dermal tissue
Define fibrosis of the skin
Describes dermal scarring/thickening reactions.
Define a keloid scar
An abnormal proliferation of scar tissues that overgrows the original wound boundary. Is chronic.
Hypertrophic vs keloid scar?
Keloid - overgrows original wound boundaries
Hypertrophic - doesn’t overgrow original boundary
What is a dilated hair follicle full of sebum/keratin called?
Comedone - can be open (blackhead) or closed (whitehead)
What is a milium?
Small, superficial cyst containing keratin (usually 1-2mm in size)
What are petechiae?
Small macules that are red or purple (due to bleeding into skin or mucous membranes)
What are petechiae caused by?
Bleeding into skin or mucous membranes
Do petechiae blanch?
No
What is a larger areas of bleeding under the skin called?
Purpura
What is ecchymosis?
Larger extravasations of blood – bruise-like patch
Ecchymosis vs bruise?
Bruises are typically caused by an injury, such as a fall or a knock, while ecchymosis is not always a result of trauma. Diseases and other conditions can also cause ecchymosis.
What causes ecchymosis?
Ecchymosis is the discoloration of the skin caused by the movement of blood from ruptured blood vessels into the top layer of the skin.
What is separation of the nail plate from the nail bed called?
Onycholysis
What are punctate depressions of nail plate called?
Pitting
