Disorders of Pigmentation & Melanocytes, Benign Epithelial Tumors, Malignant Epidermal Tumors Flashcards
Macule
Definition
A flat, circumscribed region of skin with different color or texture (example: freckle)
Subtypes:
Patch: A large macule (> 1 cm) or a coalescence of macules (example: vitiligo)
Papule
Definition
A palpable, circumscribed change in consistency or contour of the skin (example: acne vulgaris)
Subtypes:
Nodule: A papule larger than 1 cm in diameter
(example: neurofibroma)
Tumor: A large nodule (example: lymphoma)
Plaque: A coalescence of papules (example:
psoriasis) (remember this one)
Cyst: An encapsulated nodule filled with soft
material (example: epidermal cyst)
Vesicle
Definition
A circumscribed, clear fluid filled lesion; a blister (example: Herpes simplex)
Subtypes: Bulla: A large vesicle (example: bullous pemphigoid) Pustule: A vesicle filled with inflammatory cells (example: acne vulgaris)
Wheal
Definition
A palpable, circumscribed, area of edema with central pallor and peripheral erythema (example: hives) that usually disappears relatively quickly
Purpura
Definition
Discoloration of the skin due to the presence of blood in the tissue, outside of blood vessels; will not blanch with pressure (example: vasculitis)
Subtypes:
Petechiae A punctate region of purpura (tiny dots)
Comedo
Definition
A plug within a hair follicle canal which is composed of keratin and sebum; a blackhead (example: acne vulgaris)
Milium
Definition
A white papule composed of whorls of keratinized epidermal cells beneath the skin surface (example: milia)
Burrow
Definition
A horizontal tunnel in the stratum corneum produced by a parasite (example: scabies)
Scaly
Definition:
Characterized by exfoliation of surface keratin cells (example: psoriasis)
Subtypes:
Hyperkeratotic: Having very thick scale (example: icthyosis)
Crusted
Definition:
Displaying dried exudate of fluid and/or cellular components on the skin surface.
Subtypes:
Serous: Composed of serum or tissue fluid
(example: contact dermatitis)
Purulent: Containing pus (example: infection)
Hemorrhagic: Containing red cells; a scab (example: healing herpes zoster)
Eroded
Definition
Showing a superficial defect in the skin surface which does not penetrate through the epidermis (example: abrasion)
Ulcerated
Definition
Showing a skin defect which penetrates through the epidermis (example: diabetic foot ulcer)
Excoriated
Definition
Eroded or ulcerated, often in a linear fashion, due to scratching (example: dermatitis factitia)
Fissured
Definition Split horizontally (example: chronic dermatitis)
Erythematous
Definition
Reddened; due to vasodilation with increased blood flow. Blanches with pressure (example: viral exanthem)
Edematous
Definition
Swollen; due to extravasation of serum and lymph into tissue (example: urticaria)
Pigmented
Definition: Showing changes in color due to melanin pigment Subtypes: Hyperpigmented: Dark; due to increased amount of melanin (example: nevus) Hypopigmented: Light; due to decreased amount of melanin (example: vitiligo)
Lichenified
Definition
Showing thickening with accentuation of the normal skin markings; usually a sign of chronicity associated with scratching or rubbing (example: atopic dermatitis)
Verrucous
Definition
Characterized by velvety or roughened wart-like change (example: verruca vulgaris)
Telangiectatic
Definition
Showing dilated small arterioles or capillaries coursing parallel to the skin surface (example: spider telangiectasia)
Atrophic
Definition
Emaciated or thinned (example: striae)
Scarred
Definition
Showing fibrous connective tissue replacement; a result of dermal injury (example: keloid)