Dermatology Vocabulary

Question 1

Excoriation

Answer 1

Loss of epidermis following trauma

Question 2

Lichenification

Answer 2

Well-defined roughening of the skin with accentuation of skin markings

Question 3

Scales

Answer 3

Flakes of stratum corneum

Question 4

Crust

Answer 4

Rough surface consisting of dried serum, blood, bacteria & cellular debris, that has exuded through an eroded epidermis

Question 5

Scar

Answer 5

New fibrous tissue which occurs post wound healing, may be atrophic, hypertrophic or keloidal

Question 6

Koebner phenomenon

Answer 6

A linear eruption arising at the site of trauma

Question 7

Ulcer

Answer 7

Loss of epidermis and dermis

Question 8

Fissure

Answer 8

Epidermal crack through to dermis (often due to excessive dryness)

Question 9

Striae

Answer 9

Linear areas which progress from pink to white, with the histopathalogical appearance of a scar

Question 10

Macule

Answer 10

Flat area of altered colour <1 cm in diameter

Question 11

Patch

Answer 11

Flat area of altered colour or texture >1cm in diameter

Question 12

Papule

Answer 12

Small, raised lesion <1cm in diameter

Question 13

Nodule

Answer 13

Solid, raised lesion >1cm in diameter with a deeper component

Question 14

Plaque

Answer 14

Palpable, scaling, raised lesion >1cm in via,eter

Question 15

Vesicle

Answer 15

Small blister

Raised, clear fluid filled lesions <1cm diameter

Question 16

Bulla

Answer 16

Large blister >1cm in diameter

Question 17

Pustule

Answer 17

Pus containing lesion, small and circumscribed

Question 18

Abscess

Answer 18

Localised accumulation of pus on the dermis or subcutaneous tissues

Question 19

Wheal

Answer 19

Transient raised lesion due to dermal oedema, demarcated but not stable borders

Question 20

Erythema

Answer 20

Redness (inflammation and vasodilation) which blanches under pressure

Question 21

Petechiae

Answer 21

Red or purple in colour which does not blanch on pressure 1-2 mm in diameter

Question 22

Purpura

Answer 22

Red or purple in colour, non blanching (2-10mm in diameter)

Question 23

Ecchymoses

Answer 23

Non blanching rash >10 mm

Question 24

Genralised distribution

Answer 24

All over the body

Question 25

Widespread

Answer 25

Extensive

Question 26

Localised

Answer 26

Restricted to one are of skin only

Question 27

Flexural

Answer 27

Body folds

Question 28

Extensors

Answer 28

Knees, elbows and shins

Question 29

Intertriginous

Answer 29

Affecting skin folds

Question 30

Pressure areas

Answer 30

Sacrum, buttocks, ankles and heels

Question 31

Dermatome

Answer 31

Area of skin supplied by a single spinal nerve

Question 32

Photosensitive

Answer 32

Sun exposed areas such as the face, neck and back of hands

Question 33

Discrete lesions

Answer 33

Individual lesions separated from each other

Question 34

Confluent lesions

Answer 34

Lesions merging together

Question 35

Linear lesions

Answer 35

In a line

Question 36

Target lesions

Answer 36

Concentric rings (like a dartboard)

Question 37

ANnular

Answer 37

Like a circle or ring with different morphology on edges vs inner

Question 38

DIscoid

Answer 38

Round lesions with continuous colouration

Question 39

Hypopigmentations

Answer 39

Areas of paler skin

Question 40

Depigmentation

Answer 40

White skin due to an absence of melanin

Question 41

Hyperpigmentation

Answer 41

Darker skin

Question 42

Vitiligo

Answer 42

Autoimmune attack on melanocytes, usually in localised, symmetrical areas; associated with thyroid disease & T1DM

Question 43

ALopecia

Answer 43

Autoimmune attack on hair follicles causing hair loss

Question 44

Hirsutism

Answer 44

Androgen- dependant hair growth in a female

Question 45

Hypertrichosis

Answer 45

Non-androgen dependant pattern of excessive hair growth

Question 46

Clubbing

Answer 46

Loss of angle between the posterior nail fold and nail plate

Question 47

Koilonychia

Answer 47

Spoon shaped depression of the nail plate. | IDA, congenital, idiopathic

Question 48

Onycholysis

Answer 48

Separation of the distal end of the nail plate from nail bed. Trauma, psoriasis, fungal nail infections, hyperthyroidism

Question 49

Pitting

Answer 49

Punctate depression of the nail plate. Psoriasis, eczema, alopecia areata