Dermatology Terminology

Question 1

Macule

Answer 1

Circumscribed change in skin color that is flush with the surrounding skin. Lesion is <1.0 cm in diameter
Ex:
Solar lentigo
Traumatic purpura

Question 2

Patch

Answer 2

Circumscribed change in skin color that is flush with the surrounding skin. Lesion is ≥1.0 cm in diameter
Ex:
Café au lait spot
Vitiligo

Question 3

Papule

Answer 3

A solid or cystic elevation <1.0 cm in diameter
Ex:
Acne
Eruptive xanthoma

Question 4

Nodule

Answer 4

A solid or cystic elevation >1.0 cm but <2.0 cm in diameter
ex:
Dermato-fibroma

Question 5

Tumor

Answer 5

A solid or cystic elevation >2.0 cm in diameter
Ex:
Follicular cyst

Question 6

Plaque

Answer 6

An elevated lesion that is >1.0 cm in diameter
Ex:
Psoriasis

Question 7

Scale

Answer 7

Desiccated, thin plates of cornified epidermal cells that form flakes on the skin surface
Ex:
Ichthyosis

Question 8

Wheal

Answer 8

Circumscribed, flat-topped, firm elevation of skin with a well-demarcated and palpable margin

Question 9

Vesicle

Answer 9

Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing clear serous or hemorrhagic fluid that is <1 cm in diameter
Ex:
Contact dermatitis
Herpes simplex

Question 10

Bulla

Answer 10

Circumscribed, elevated lesion containing clear serous or hemorrhagic fluid that is >1 cm in diameter
Ex:
Bullous pemphigoid

Question 11

Pustule

Answer 11

A vesicle containing purulent exudate
Ex:
Folliculitis

Question 12

Atrophy

Answer 12

A depression from the surface of the skin with underlying loss of epidermal or dermal substance
Ex:
Lichen sclerosis et atrophicus

Question 13

Erosion

Answer 13

A depression from the surface of the skin with a loss of all or part of the epidermis
Ex:
Burn

Question 14

Erosion - secondary

Answer 14

Can be a secondary lesion
Ex:
Ruptured bulla

Question 15

Ulceration

Answer 15

A depression from the surface of the skin with a loss of the entire epidermis and at least some of the dermis
Ex:
Ecthyma

Question 16

Lichenification

Answer 16

Dry, leathery thickening of the skin with exaggerated skin markings
Ex:
Chronic eczema

Question 17

Scar

Answer 17

An elevated or depressed area of fibrosis of the dermis or subcutaneous tissue resulting from an antecedent destructive process
Ex:
Healing wound

Question 18

Fissure

Answer 18

A deep linear split in the skin extending through the epidermis
Ex:
Traumatized eczema

Question 19

Crust

Answer 19

Dried exudates of serum, blood, sebum, or purulent material on the surface of the skin
Ex:
Acute and/or secondarily infected eczema