Dermatology terms

Question 1

macule

Answer 1

flat, impalpable circumscribed area of skin with altered skin colour, less than 10mm
eg:freckle.

Question 2

papule

Answer 2

small raised spot on skin, dome shaped, less than 5mm

eg: contact dermatits.

Question 3

patch

Answer 3

similar to macule but larger than 10mm

Question 4

plaque

Answer 4

raised area on skin formed by papules converging with scaly, silvery outing.
eg: psoriasis

Question 5

nodule vs vesicle

Answer 5

nodule is a solid lesion with deeper skin involvement.

vesicle is a small fluid filled lesion eg: small blisters.

Question 6

pustule vs bulla

Answer 6

pustule is similar to a vesicle with purulent matter.

bulla is a large fluid filled vesicle.

Question 7

annular

Answer 7

ring shaped erythematous covering around central “clearing”

Question 8

wheal

Answer 8

swelling with clear well defines edges

eg: insect bite.

Question 9

discoid/ nummular

Answer 9

itchy, swollen, cracked oval shaped lesion.

Question 10

comedone

Answer 10

pores or hair follicles blocked with bacteria, oil or dead skin forming bumps on skin. no inflammation.
eg: forehead acne.

Question 11

alopecia

Answer 11

loss of hair.

can be patchy or diffuse.

Question 12

hypertrichosis

Answer 12

hair growth on lesions.

Question 13

hirsuitism

Answer 13

women with excess male like hair growth pattern.

Question 14

koilonychia nails

Answer 14

spoon nails with depression that can hold liquid.

eg: iron deficiency anaemia.

Question 15

pitting nails

Answer 15

tiny dents in nails eg: psoriasis, eczema, joint inflammation.

Question 16

onycholysis nails

Answer 16

painless separation of nail from nail bed.

eg: infection or injury.

Question 17

clubbing

Answer 17

enlargement of fingertips and downward sloping of nails.

eg: in chronically low blood oxygen.