Dermatology terms

Question 1

flat, circumscribed area that is a change in the color of the skin < 1cm

Answer 1

Macule (freckles, flat moles, petechiae, measles)

Question 2

an elevated, firm, circumscribed area, <1cm

Answer 2

papule (wart, elevated moles, lichens planus)

Question 3

a flat, nonpalpable, irregularly shaped macule >1cm

Answer 3

patch (vitiligo, port-wine stains, Mongolian spots, cafe au llait patch)

Question 4

elevated, firm, and rough lesion with flat top surface >1cm

Answer 4

plaque (psoriasis, seborrheic, and actinic keratoses

Question 5

elevated, irregular-shaped area of cutaneous edema, solid, transient, variable diameter

Answer 5

wheal (insect bites, urticaria, allergic reaction)

Question 6

elevated, firm, circumscribed lesion; deeper in dermis than a papule: 1-2 cm in diameter

Answer 6

nodule (erythema nodosum, lipoma)

Question 7

elevated and solid lesion; may or may not be clearly demarcated; deeper in dermis; >2cm

Answer 7

tumor (neoplasms, benign tumor, lipoma)

Question 8

elevated, circumscribed, superficial, not into dermis; filled with serous fluid; less than 1 cm in diameter

Answer 8

vesicle (chicken pox, shingles)

Question 9

Vesicle greater than 1cm

Answer 9

bulla (blister, pemphigus vulgaris)

Question 10

elevated, superficial lesion, similar to a vesicle but filled with purulent fluid

Answer 10

pustule (impetigo, acne)

Question 11

elevated, circumscribed, encapsulated lesion, in dermis or subcutaneous layer, filled with liquid or semisolid material

Answer 11

cyst (sebaceous cyst, cystic acne)

Question 12

fine, irregular, red lines produced by capillary dilation

Answer 12

telangiectasia (rosacea)

Question 13

heaped up keratinized cells, flaky skin, irregular, thick or thin, dry or oily, variation in size

Answer 13

scale: flaking of skin with seborrheic dermatitis or following a drug reaction; dry skin

Question 14

rough thickened epidermis secondary to persistent rubbing, itching, or skin irritation often involves flexor surface of extremity

Answer 14

lichenification (chronic dermatitis)

Question 15

irregularly shaped, elevated, progressively enlarging scar, grows beyond the boundaries of the wound, caused by excessive collagen formation during healing

Answer 15

keloid: keloid formation following surgery

Question 16

thin to thick fibrous tissue that replaces normal skin following injury or laceration to the dermis

Answer 16

scar: healed wound or surgical incision

Question 17

loss of the epidermis, linear hollowed out, crusted area

Answer 17

excoriation: abrasion or scratch, scabies

Question 18

linear crack or break from the epidermis to the dermis, may be moist or dry

Answer 18

fissure: athlete’s foot, cracks at the corner of the mouth

Question 19

loss of part of the epidermis to the dermis; depressed, moist, glistening; follows rupture of a vesicle or bulla

Answer 19

erosion: varicella, variola after rupture

Question 20

loss of epidermis and dermis; concave; varies in size

Answer 20

ulcer: decubiti, stasis ulcer

Question 21

dried serum, blood, or purulent exudates; slightly elevated; size varies; brown, red, black, tan, or straw-colored

Answer 21

crust: scab on abrasion, eczema

Question 22

thinning of skin surface and loss of skin markings; skin translucent and paper-like

Answer 22

atrophy: striae; aged skin

Question 23

lesion appears in one small area such as impetigo, herpes simplex, tinea corporis

Answer 23

localized

Question 24

lesion appears in specific area of the body such as acne, herpes zoster, psoriasis

Answer 24

regional

Question 25

lesions appear widely distributed or in numerous areas simultaneously such as urticaria, and disseminated drug eruptions

Answer 25

generalized