Descriptions Of Skin Lesions Flashcards
What is included in describing skin findings?
primary/secondary lesions
number
size
shape
color
texture
location
configuration
“classic features”
Primary Lesions may be:
flat
raised
depressed
Types of Primary Lesions
macule
patch
papule
plaque
nodule
vesicle
bulla (plural: bullae)
pustule
erosion
ulceration
wheal
ecchymosis
petechiae
purpura
Macule
flat (non-palpable)
<1 cm
color change only!
not filled with any material
color can very
What are examples of macules?
freckles, hypopigmentation, hyperpigmentation
Patch
flat
≥ 1 cm
color change only!
not filled with any material
Papule
raised but may have depressed portion (center)
superficial (arising from epidermis)
<1 cm
contents: solid (NO fluid inside)
color can vary
may be dome-shaped, flat topped
distribution can vary: group, dispersed
Plaque
raised or depressed
≥ 1 cm
contents: solid (NO fluid inside)
well defined (easy to see)
can form when papules coalesce
coalesce
merge together
Nodule
raised
≥ 1 cm
solid or fluid contents
larger and deeper than papule (can extend into dermis or subQ)
can result from inflammatory infiltrates, neoplasms, or metabolic deposits
Vesicle
raised
<1 cm
fluid contents: clear, serous, hemorrhagic)
dome-shaped or flaccid
top layer often thin
arise from cleavage at superficial level
at superficial level the layers are separating –> think blister!
well defined
serous fluid
clear yellow
hemorrhagic fluid
blood
what vesicle has erythema surrounding it? (erythema at the base)
varicella, chicken pox
Bulla (Bullae: plural)
raised
≥ 1 cm
fluid contents (clear, serous, hemorrhagic
arise from cleavage at superficial level
well defined lesions
flaccid bullae
sunk back down
tense bullae
ready to pop
Pustule
raised
<1 cm
fluid (pus)
superficial
sometimes hair follicle is involved
purulent
pus
folliculitis
small pustules with erythematous halos
pustular psoriasis
widespread pustules on an erythematous base
Erosion
depressed
any size
no contents (b/c loss of tissue)
focal loss of epidermal tissue (no loss of dermis, superficial)
heal without scarring
seen in inflammatory conditions
may be secondary lesions (bulla popped)
ulceration
depressed
any size
no contents (loss of tissue)
loss of epidermis and at least a portion of the dermis
deeper than erosion
leaves a scar
may be secondary lesions
wheal
swelling with skin
circumscribed (clear borders)
irregular: size and shape can change
transient (<48 hrs)
produced by cutaneous edema
red to pale in color
frequently itch
THINK HIVES!!!
circumscribed
well-defined and distinct from surrounding parts
ecchymosis
bruise
multiple colors
>3 mm
petechiae
deep red/reddish purple
1-3mm (pinpoint)
round and flat
can occur on mucous membranes too (in mouth)
purpura
deep red/reddish purple
larger than petechiae
can be irregularly shaped
may be palpable
What 3 primary lesions are due to blood leaving the vessels and do not blanch when pressure applied?
ecchymosis
petechiae
purpura
stratum corneum
dead keratinized cells
outer layer of the epidermis